The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 3.60 percent. This dataset provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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 June 2025, the overnight interbank cash rate and the target cash rate stood at **** and **** 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.

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.

Australia Interest Rate Spread data was reported at 3.543 % pa in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.282 % pa for 2018. Australia Interest Rate Spread data is updated yearly, averaging 3.048 % pa from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2019, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.183 % pa in 2008 and a record low of -1.888 % pa in 1989. Australia Interest Rate Spread data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Interest rate spread is the interest rate charged by banks on loans to private sector customers minus the interest rate paid by commercial or similar banks for demand, time, or savings deposits. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.;International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.;Median;

In 2019, the real interest rate in Australia amounted to **** percent. Between 1961 and 2019, the figure dropped by **** percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Mortgage Rate in Australia decreased to 5.52 percent in August from 5.76 percent in July of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Australia Mortgage Rate.

In August 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In August 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 18 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at -0.4 percent in August 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 8.1 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.

The Finance sector's operating environment was previously characterised by record-low interest rates. Nonetheless, high inflation prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike the cash rate from May 2022 onwards. This shift allowed financial institutions to impose higher loan charges, propelling their revenue. Banks raised interest rates quicker than funding costs in the first half of 2022-23, boosting net interest margins. However, sophisticated competition and digital disruption have reshaped the sector and nibbled at the Big Four's dominance, weighing on ADIs' performance. In the first half of 2025, the fierce competition has forced ADIs to trim lending rates even ahead of RBA moves to protect their slice of the mortgage market. Higher cash rates initially widened net interest margins, but the expiry of cheap TFF funding and a fierce mortgage war are now compressing spreads, weighing on ADIs' profitability. Although ANZ's 2024 Suncorp Bank takeover highlights some consolidation, the real contest is unfolding in tech. Larger financial institutions are combatting intensified competition from neobanks and fintechs by upscaling their technology investments, strengthening their strategic partnerships with cloud providers and technology consulting firms and augmenting their digital offerings. Notable examples include the launch of ANZ Plus by ANZ and Commonwealth Bank's Unloan. Meanwhile, investor demand for rental properties, elevated residential housing prices and sizable state-infrastructure pipelines have continued to underpin loan growth, offsetting the drag from weaker mortgage affordability and volatile business sentiment. Overall, subdivision revenue is expected to rise at an annualised 8.3% over the five years through 2024-25, to $524.6 billion. This growth trajectory includes an estimated 4.8% decline in 2024-25 driven by rate cuts in 2025, which will weigh on income from interest-bearing assets. The Big Four banks will double down on technology investments and partnerships to counter threats from fintech startups and neobanks. As cybersecurity risks and APRA regulations evolve, financial institutions will gear up to strengthen their focus on shielding sensitive customer data and preserving trust, lifting compliance and operational costs. In the face of fierce competition, evolving regulations and shifting customer preferences, consolidation through M&As is poised to be a viable trend for survival and growth, especially among smaller financial institutions like credit unions. While rate cuts will challenge profitability within the sector, expansionary economic policies are poised to stimulate business and mortgage lending activity, presenting opportunities for strategic growth in a dynamic market. These trends are why Finance subdivision revenue is forecast to rise by an annualised 1.1% over the five years through the end of 2029-30, to $554.9 billion

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 **** percent from late 2010 to late 2011, interest rates on three and six month bills/certificates had fallen to **** and **** percent respectively as of September 2021 . Notably, these rates were below the the official Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) target cash rate of *** 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 **** and **** percent, respectively.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates: Long-Term Government Bond Yields: 10-Year: Main (Including Benchmark) for Australia (IRLTLT01AUM156N) from Jul 1969 to Aug 2025 about long-term, Australia, 10-year, bonds, yield, government, interest rate, interest, and rate.

Mortgage lenders are dealing with the RBA's shift to a tighter monetary policy, as it fights heavy inflation. Since May 2022, the RBA has raised the benchmark cash rate, which flows to interest rates on home loans. This represents a complete reversal of the prevailing approach to monetary policy taken in recent years. Over the course of the pandemic, subdued interest rates, in conjunction with government incentives and relaxed interest rate buffers, encouraged strong mortgage uptake. With the RBA's policy reversal, authorised deposit-taking institutions will need to balance their interest rate spreads to ensure steady profit. A stronger cash rate means more interest income from existing home loans, but also steeper funding costs. Moreover, increasing loan rates mean that prospective homeowners are being cut out of the market, which will slow demand for new home loans. Overall, industry revenue is expected to rise at an annualised 0.4% over the past five years, including an estimated 2.2% jump in 2023-24, to reach $103.4 billion. APRA's regulatory controls were updated in January 2023, with new capital adequacy ratios coming into effect. The major banks have had to tighten up their capital buffers to protect against financial instability. Although the ‘big four’ banks control most home loans, other lenders have emerged to foster competition for new loanees. Technological advances have made online-only mortgage lending viable. However, lenders that don't take deposits are more reliant on wholesale funding markets, which will be stretched under a higher cash rate. Looking ahead, technology spending isn't slowing down, as consumers continue to expect secure and user-friendly online financial services. This investment is even more pressing, given the ongoing threat of cyber-attacks. Industry revenue is projected to inch upwards at an annualised 0.8% over the five years through 2028-29, to $107.7 billion.

Revenue in the Business Financing industry has been highly volatile over the past five years, reflecting swings in interest rates, investment appetite and economic conditions. Industry revenue has grown strongly at an annualised rate of 16.9% through the end of 2025-26, with lenders benefiting from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rapid rate hikes during 2022-23. Higher lending rates significantly lifted the value of repayments and widened net interest margins, pushing revenue to an estimated $83.1 billion in 2025-26. However, this includes an estimated 6.8% decline in 2025-26, as early interest rate cuts and softer business confidence begin to reduce repayment values and dampen new borrowing activity. Profit margins have narrowed even as revenue surged. Intense competition from fintech lenders and neobanks has forced traditional banks and non-bank financiers to invest heavily in digital platforms, compliance and cybersecurity. These outlays, combined with rising loan loss provisions as arrears edged higher, have weighed on profitability. Margins that exceeded 20% earlier in the decade are now sitting closer to the low teens, underscoring the pressures on earnings despite revenue growth. The challenge for banks is balancing competitive pricing and digital innovation against the rising cost of compliance and risk management. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to rise modestly at an annualised 1.0% through the end of 2030-31, reaching $87.4 billion. Lower interest rates are projected to constrain repayment values, keeping revenue growth subdued compared with the recent past. At the same time, greater use of retained earnings among large corporates and tighter risk standards for SMEs will limit loan growth. However, opportunities remain in sectors like logistics, health care and renewable energy, where businesses are investing in productivity gains and transition projects. Profitability is set to remain under pressure as lenders contend with high compliance costs and more cautious underwriting, but financers that adapt their products to support digital transformation and capital investment will be best placed to capture demand.

Banks are grappling with a transition from years of loose monetary policy to tighter financial conditions. Soaring inflation prompted an RBA pivot in the face of surging energy, housing and food prices. The RBA hiked the cash rate multiple times from May 2022 to November 2023. Prior to this, banks cashed in on high residential housing prices, with low interest rates and government schemes encouraging strong mortgage uptake over the course of the pandemic. APRA also eased the interest rate buffer in 2019, before raising it in 2021. Interest hikes have pushed up banks' incomes over the past few years. Meanwhile, banks' interest deposit expenses and funding costs have also risen while elevated interest rates have dampened industry profit margins over the past few years. Overall, industry revenue is expected to expand at an annualised 9.3% over the five years through 2024-25, to $259.2 billion. This includes an anticipated slump of 8.3% in 2024-25, as inflationary pressure shows signs of easing, the cash rate easing, weighing on interest income. As banks passed on cash rate rises through higher interest rates, the RBA's policy approach has had a cascading effect on the economy. There’s a lag before these hit customers, with some fixed-rate mortgages gradually rolling over through 2023 and 2024. Banks are securing more interest income from existing loans but must manage inflated borrowing costs and bigger payouts on deposit accounts. Residential housing prices are set to stabilise, while heavy mortgage payments will price out some potential homeowners. Banks will be monitoring consumer spending amid inflationary pressures and spiralling borrowing costs. APRA has strengthened rules for managing interest rate risks, effective from October 2025. The updated Prudential Standard APS 117 requires major financial institutions to implement robust frameworks to manage these risks effectively. The big four will need to keep up with rapid technological change, managing cyber security as consumers embrace online financial services. Competition isn't easing up as smaller technology-focused firms disrupt the finance sector and foreign banks tap into the Australian market. Revenue is projected to climb at an annualised 0.3% over the next five years, to total $262.6 billion in 2029-30.

From 2010 to 2017, Australia had the highest short-term interest rate among selected countries worldwide. Afterward, its rates became more aligned with those of Canada and the United States. The lowest short-term interest rates during this period were found in the Euro area and Japan, as well as in the United States until 2015, where rates remained below one percent. In 2021, all regions except Japan experienced a decrease in interest rates. However, in the following years, rates increased. As of 2024 short term interest rates rested as roughly 4.4 percent for Australia and Canada, 3.6 in the Euro area, and over five percent in the U.S.. Japan had the lowest rate at 0.19 percent.

Mortgage interest rates worldwide varied greatly in June 2025, from less than ******percent in many European countries to as high as ***percent in Turkey. The average mortgage rate in a country depends on the central bank's base lending rate and macroeconomic indicators such as inflation and forecast economic growth. Since 2022, inflationary pressures have led to rapid increases in mortgage interest rates. Which are the leading mortgage markets? An easy way to estimate the importance of the mortgage sector in each country is by comparing household debt depth, or the ratio of the debt held by households compared to the county's GDP. In 2024, Switzerland, Australia, and Canada had some of the highest household debt to GDP ratios worldwide. While this indicator shows the size of the sector relative to the country’s economy, the value of mortgages outstanding allows to compare the market size in different countries. In Europe, for instance, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France were the largest mortgage markets by outstanding mortgage lending. Mortgage lending trends in the U.S. In the United States, new mortgage lending soared in 2021. This was largely due to the growth of new refinance loans that allow homeowners to renegotiate their mortgage terms and replace their existing loan with a more favorable one. Following the rise in interest rates, the mortgage market cooled, and refinance loans declined.

Inflation Rate in Australia decreased to 2.10 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 2.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Australia Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The benchmark interest rate in New Zealand was last recorded at 2.50 percent. This dataset provides - New Zealand Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Market Size for Australia Auto Finance Industry Size on the Basis of Loan Disbursement in USD Billion, 2018-2024 In 2023,approximately 85% of new vehicle purchases were financed through loans or leasing, reflecting the strong role of financial services in Australia’s automotive sector. The preference for structured financing options continues to rise due to affordability concerns and flexible payment structures.Sydney and Melbourneare key markets due to their high vehicle demand and extensive automotive infrastructure. TheAustralian auto finance market reached a valuation ofAUD 130 Billion in 2023, driven by increasing demand for vehicle ownership, favorable interest rates, and a growing inclination towards electric vehicles. The market is characterized by major financial institutions such asCommonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB, Macquarie Bank, and auto-financing firms likeToyota Finance, BMW Financial Services, and Volkswagen Financial Services. These entities dominate the auto financing landscape, offering diverse financing options for new and used vehicles.