The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 3.85 percent. This dataset provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

On November 8, 2023, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing the interest rate to 4.35 percent. This was the thirteenth interest rate increase by the RBA since November 4, 2020, which saw the interest rate drop to a record 0.1 percent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) cash rate target in-part determines interest rates on financial products.

A comparison of the Australian target cash rate and the overnight interbank lending rate shows that, after around a decade of being identical, the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to the actual overnight lending rate being lower than the Reserve Bank of Australia's target rate. This means that banks are lending to each other at lower rates than the "official" interest rate. One reason for this is the that the Reserve bank has made money available to banks in several new ways over this period (such as repo agreements where banks can pledge assets for short term funds), increasing liquidity in the banking system. As of May 2024, the overnight interbank cash rate and the target cash rate stood at 4.32 and 4.35 percent, respectively.

Key information about Australia Long Term Interest Rate

• Australia Government Bond Yield: Australian Government: 10 Years was reported at 4.42 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 4.48 % pa in the previous month.
• Australia Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jul 1969 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 16.50 % pa in Aug 1982 and a record low of 0.80 % pa in Oct 2020.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by Reserve Bank of Australia.

• In the latest reports, Australia Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Bank Acceptance Bills Rates: 90 days was reported at 4.12 % pa in Feb 2025.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Cash Target Rate) was set at 4.10 % pa in Feb 2025.
• Australia Exchange Rate against USD averaged 1.49 (USD/AUD) in Jun 2023.

The real interest rate in Australia decreased by 1.8 percentage points (-54.05 percent) in 2019 in comparison to the previous year. This was a significant decrease in the real interest rate. Real interest rate is the adjusted lending interest rate to remove the effects of inflation, as measured by the GDP deflator (implicit price deflator).Find more statistics on other topics about Australia with key insights such as deposit interest rate, domestic credit to the private sector as a share of GDP, and market capitalization of listed domestic companies as a share of GDP.

Interbank Rate in Australia decreased to 4 percent in May from 4.09 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides - Australia Three Month Interbank Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Key information about Australia Policy Rate

• Australia cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Cash Target Rate) was set at 4.10 % pa in Feb 2025, compared with 4.35 % pa in the previous Jan 2025.
• Australia Policy Rate averaged 4.75 % pa and is updated monthly, available from Aug 1990 to Feb 2025.
• The data reached an all-time high of 14.00 % pa in Sep 1990 and a record low of 0.10 % pa in Apr 2022.

• In the latest reports, Australia Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Bank Acceptance Bills Rates: 90 days was reported at 4.25 % pa in Jan 2025.
• Its Long Term Interest Rate (Government Bond Yield: Australian Government: 10 Years) was reported at 4.48 % pa in Jan 2025.
• Australia Exchange Rate against USD averaged 1.49 (USD/AUD) in Jun 2023.
• Its Real Effective Exchange Rate was 100.34 in Jan 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates: 3-Month or 90-Day Rates and Yields: Interbank Rates: Total for Australia (IR3TIB01AUM156N) from Jan 1968 to Apr 2025 about interbank, Australia, 3-month, yield, interest rate, interest, and rate.

The interest rate of bank accepted bills/negotiable certificates of deposit for Australian banks has fallen slightly over the last decade. From a peak of around five percent from late 2010 to late 2011, interest rates on three and six month bills/certificates had fallen to 0.01 and 0.03 percent respectively as of September 2021 . Notably, these rates were below the the official Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) target cash rate of 0.1 percent. Primarily, the reason for this is that the RBA was more concerned with ensuring banks have liquidity than intervening so that the cash rate is consistent with its target rate, and to this end RBA used new methods to inject funds into banks since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As of May 2024, the interest rates on three and six month bills/certificates increased to 4.36 and 4.61 percent, respectively.

Real interest rate (%) in Australia was reported at 1.5781 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Real interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

This report analyses the exchange rate of the Australian dollar (AU$) in terms of the US dollar (US$). The exchange rate is determined by the supply and demand for each currency in the pair. The major drivers of the supply and demand for currencies are: interest rates; GDP growth; inflation; current account positions; equity flows; and the demand and price of commodities. The data for this report is sourced from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and is measured in US dollars. The RBA records the average monthly exchange rate on the last trading day of each month, and annual rates are calculated as the average of monthly rates over the financial year.

This report analyses the standard variable home loan interest rate from registered banks. The data is collected monthly and converted into an average rate quoted by large bank lenders. Actual interest rates for loans can often vary, as they are subject to individual factors like loan size, the option of split-interest rates and whether there are redraw facilities or offset accounts. The data is sourced from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and presented as the average interest rate over each financial year.

As of the end of March 2025, the average mortgage interest rate for Australian owner-occupier borrowers was around *** percent. In comparison, the average investor interest rate was approximately *** percent. These rates refer to outstanding housing loans from banks and registered financial corporations. New loans financed in that month had even similar interest rates, at *** percent for owner-occupiers and *** percent for investors, respectively.

The Foreign Banks industry includes domestic subsidiaries of foreign banks and branches of foreign banks, which have grown over the past few years as soaring interest rates contributed to a sharp revenue rise. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained a relatively low cash rate over the past decade – especially in response to the pandemic – to stimulate economic activity. The low cash rate environment hampered foreign banks' revenue in the three years through 2021-22. In May 2022, this all changed when inflation rose quickly, leading to the fastest and largest hike cycle on record. These trends ensured a revenue explosion in the two years through 2023-24, especially after a decade of cheap money drove extensive private and corporate borrowing in Australia. Overall, industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 11.8% over the five years through 2024-25, to $45.6 billion. This includes an anticipated decline of 8.8% in 2024-25 as the RBA cut rates. Foreign banks are typically less exposed than domestic banks to the residential lending market and depend more on commercial lending because of the high number of foreign bank branches, with the noted exception of HSBC Bank, which has substantially grown its mortgage books over the past few years. Meanwhile, foreign bank branches increasingly lent to corporate clients despite a highly competitive market. These long-term trends allowed industry profit margins to heighten. Yet, as interest rates surged in 2022, so did foreign banks’ funding expenses. This weighed on profit’s proportion of revenue despite net earnings growth. Australian foreign banks’ outlook is more mixed over the coming years as interest rates gradually drop. Foreign banks are set to shift their focus towards ESG offerings like responsible lending, to satisfy consumer demand for green loans. In response to the fierce competition from lenders, including non-banks and fintech firms, foreign banks are set to splurge on technology to remain relevant. Funding costs will start easing as interest rates decline, causing profit margins to rebound. Overall, revenue is forecast to fall at an annualised 3.8% over the five years through 2029-30, to $37.8 billion.

Figures for ‘RBA foreign exchange transactions’, ‘Change in reserve assets due to valuation’ and ‘Total change in reserve assets’ refer to period totals. All other figures are end period values.\r \r ‘RBA foreign exchange transactions’, sales (-) and purchases (+), are reported according to the date on which settlement takes place (‘value date’).\r \r ‘Market’ transactions are foreign exchange transactions against the Australian dollar (excluding foreign exchange swaps) undertaken by the RBA with authorised foreign exchange dealers in Australia or banks overseas.\r \r ‘Australian Government’ transactions are the RBA’s foreign exchange transactions with the Australian Government.\r \r ‘Other outright’ transactions include the RBA’s outright transactions with other central banks, international financial institutions which are not intended to affect the exchange rate, clients other than the Australian Government, and interest received on holdings of foreign assets.\r \r ‘Swap deliveries’ are RBA foreign exchange swap transactions that settled during the period, excluding swaps conducted with the Federal Reserve as part of the USD Swap Facility. For the period January 1995 until February 1996 ‘Other outright’ includes ‘Swap deliveries’.\r \r ‘Official reserve assets’ comprise holdings of ‘Foreign exchange’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Other’ reserve assets, which comprise Special Drawing Rights, Reserve position in the IMF and the net value of swap transactions conducted with the Federal Reserve as part of the USD Swap Facility.\r \r ‘Outstanding forward foreign exchange commitments’ mainly reflect market values of the second leg of RBA swap transactions outstanding and, from time to time, outstanding RBA outright forward transactions. Prior to July 2002 contract values are reported.\r \r The sum of ‘Gold’ and ‘Foreign exchange’ may differ from figures reported in the weekly Statement of Liabilities and Assets and the RBA’s Annual Report. From 1 July 1996, foreign currency securities sold under repurchase agreements are retained for accounting purposes as foreign currency investments in the RBA’s balance sheet, in accordance with standard accounting treatment. For the purpose of reporting foreign exchange reserves in this table, however, securities sold under repurchase agreements are excluded. In addition, from 20 December 2006, foreign exchange sales (-) and purchases (+) are reported for accounting purposes according to the date on which they are contracted (‘trade date’). For the purpose of reporting foreign exchange reserves in this table, however, foreign exchange transactions are reported according to the date on which settlement takes place (‘value date’).\r

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): RBA: YoY: Excl Interest & Tax Changes data was reported at 2.400 % in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.400 % for Dec 2024. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): RBA: YoY: Excl Interest & Tax Changes data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.200 % from Mar 1960 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 261 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.700 % in Mar 1975 and a record low of -1.300 % in Jun 1962. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): RBA: YoY: Excl Interest & Tax Changes data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Reserve Bank of Australia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I003: Consumer Price Index: 2011-12=100: Quarterly.

The Credit Card Issuance industry has contracted as the number of cards issued and balances accruing interest have fallen. Issuers have faced significant competition from other forms of payment like debit cards and BNPL services. The monthly value of debit card transactions has continued to surpass the monthly value of credit card transactions thanks to initiatives like the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) least-cost routing initiative. BNPL services have also gained popularity with younger consumers who constitute a significant market for online sellers. That's why revenue is set to weaken by an annualised 5.3% over the five years through 2024-25, to $7.6 billion. To compete with sophisticated competition, credit card issuers have beefed up their reward and referral programs and integrated online payment, service and customer acquisition platforms into their operations. The Big Four banks dominate the industry and NAB's acquisition of Citigroup's Australian consumer banking business has expanded its collective market share. Economic conditions tied to inflationary pressures have ravaged consumer sentiment and appetites for spending through credit. Some customers have opted to pay down debt instead and have avoided taking on more. A sharp climb in interest rates over the past few years has compounded this dynamic, which is set to constrain industry performance in 2024-25, with revenue declining by an anticipated 0.9%. Credit card issuers' performance will improve over the coming years as economic conditions recover. Credit card issuance revenue is projected to expand at an annualised 2.0% through the end of 2029-30, to total $8.4 billion. The RBA is forecast to slash the cash rate once inflation falls within the central banks' target band, lifting credit card issuer profit margins as funding costs drop. Alternative payment methods, like BNPL services, debit transactions and other fintech solutions, are on track to sap away demand for credit cards. However, easing inflationary pressures and lower interest rates over the medium term are set to spur household consumption expenditure and credit card use. In response to the fierce competition, issuers will emphasise innovation and enhance their rewards and points systems to entice consumers.

Australia Lending Rate: Small Business: Variable: Others: Overdraft data was reported at 10.510 % pa in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.630 % pa for Feb 2025. Australia Lending Rate: Small Business: Variable: Others: Overdraft data is updated monthly, averaging 9.960 % pa from Feb 1976 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 590 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.050 % pa in Dec 1989 and a record low of 6.510 % pa in Apr 2022. Australia Lending Rate: Small Business: Variable: Others: Overdraft data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Reserve Bank of Australia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.M004: Lending Rate.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): RBA: sa: QoQ: Excl Interest & Tax Changes data was reported at 0.900 % in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.300 % for Dec 2024. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): RBA: sa: QoQ: Excl Interest & Tax Changes data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.700 % from Jun 1982 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.500 % in Sep 1982 and a record low of -1.900 % in Jun 2020. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): RBA: sa: QoQ: Excl Interest & Tax Changes data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Reserve Bank of Australia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I006: Consumer Price Index: 2011-12=100: Seasonally Adjusted: Quarterly.