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 benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 4.10 percent. This dataset provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In January 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 early 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 21 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 0.5 percent in January 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 9.9 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.

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.

Exchange Rate: RBA: New Zealand Dollar to Australian Dollar data was reported at 1.110 AUD/NZD in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.103 AUD/NZD for Jan 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: New Zealand Dollar to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 1.147 AUD/NZD from Jul 1969 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 668 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.763 AUD/NZD in Nov 1984 and a record low of 0.997 AUD/NZD in Nov 1972. Exchange Rate: RBA: New Zealand Dollar to Australian Dollar 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.M009: Exchange Rate.

Exchange Rate: RBA: Thai Baht to Australian Dollar data was reported at 21.230 AUD/THB in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 20.970 AUD/THB for Jan 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: Thai Baht to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 25.435 AUD/THB from Jan 2010 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 182 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.220 AUD/THB in Jul 2012 and a record low of 20.160 AUD/THB in Mar 2020. Exchange Rate: RBA: Thai Baht to Australian Dollar 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.M009: Exchange Rate.

The Federal Reserve's balance sheet has undergone significant changes since 2007, reflecting its response to major economic crises. From a modest 0.9 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of 2007, it ballooned to approximately 6.76 trillion U.S. dollars by March 2025. This dramatic expansion, particularly during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic - both of which resulted in negative annual GDP growth in the U.S. - showcases the Fed's crucial role in stabilizing the economy through expansionary monetary policies. Impact on inflation and interest rates The Fed's expansionary measures, while aimed at stimulating economic growth, have had notable effects on inflation and interest rates. Following the quantitative easing in 2020, inflation in the United States reached eight percent in 2022, the highest since 1991. However, by November 2024, inflation had declined to 2.7 percent. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of interest rate hikes, with the rate peaking at 5.33 percent in August 2023, before the first rate cut since September 2021 occurred in September 2024. Financial implications for the Federal Reserve The expansion of the Fed's balance sheet and subsequent interest rate hikes have had significant financial implications. In 2023, the Fed reported a negative net income of 114.3 billion U.S. dollars, a stark contrast to the 58.84 billion U.S. dollars profit in 2022. This unprecedented shift was primarily due to rapidly rising interest rates, which caused the Fed's interest expenses to soar to over 281 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Despite this, the Fed's net interest income on securities acquired through open market operations reached a record high of 174.53 billion U.S. dollars in the same year.

The benchmark interest rate in New Zealand was last recorded at 3.75 percent. This dataset provides - New Zealand Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Exchange Rate: RBA: Indonesian Rupiah to Australian Dollar data was reported at 10,300.000 AUD/IDR in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,149.000 AUD/IDR for Jan 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: Indonesian Rupiah to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 6,627.000 AUD/IDR from Nov 1983 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 496 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,240.000 AUD/IDR in Apr 2021 and a record low of 676.000 AUD/IDR in Jul 1986. Exchange Rate: RBA: Indonesian Rupiah to Australian Dollar 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.M009: Exchange Rate.

Exchange Rate: RBA: Euro to Australian Dollar data was reported at 0.598 AUD/EUR in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.599 AUD/EUR for Jan 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: Euro to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 0.621 AUD/EUR from Jan 1999 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 314 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.858 AUD/EUR in Jul 2012 and a record low of 0.492 AUD/EUR in Dec 2008. Exchange Rate: RBA: Euro to Australian Dollar 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.M009: Exchange Rate.

Mortgage Rate in Australia increased to 6.15 percent in January from 6.13 percent in December of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Australia Mortgage Rate.

In 2019, the real interest rate in Australia decreased by 1.7 percentage points (-51.2 percent) compared to 2018. 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.

Bank Bill Swap Rate in Australia remained unchanged at 4.11 percent on Wednesday March 26. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Australia Bank Bill Swap Rate.

Unemployment Rate in Australia remained unchanged at 4.10 percent in February. This dataset provides - Australia Unemployment Rate at 5.8% in December - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

‘System cash position’ is an estimate of the change in the aggregate level of Exchange Settlement (ES) balances at the RBA, prior to the RBA’s open market operations on that day. A negative value indicates a projected fall in the level of ES balances, while a positive value indicates a projected rise. The estimate is based on information about settlements arising from transactions by the RBA’s clients, including the Australian Government, as well as the RBA’s own transactions, and is announced at 9:30 am each trading day.

‘Outright transactions’ is the cash value of purchases and sales, conducted as part of the Bank’s open market operations, of securities issued by the Australian Government and State and Territory central borrowing authorities with remaining terms to maturity up to around 18 months. A positive value indicates the RBA has purchased securities while a negative value indicates the RBA has sold securities.

‘Foreign exchange swaps’ is the aggregate value of the first leg of foreign exchange swaps transacted for same-day value specifically for domestic liquidity management purposes. A positive value indicates the RBA has sold Australian dollars for foreign currency while a negative value indicates the RBA has purchased Australian dollars. The value of the second leg of a foreign exchange swap is captured in the ‘System cash position’ on the unwind date.

‘Repurchase agreements (RPs)’ is the amount of the first leg of securities bought/sold by the RBA under repurchase agreement (RP). 'General Collateral' refers to eligible eligible securities issued by the Australian Government, State and Territory governments, supranational institutions, foreign governments and government agencies as well as eligible securities with a sovereign government guarantee. ‘Private securities’ covers all other eligible collateral, including ADI-issued securities (eligible bank-issued discount securities and certificates of deposit with 12 months or less to maturity and bonds issued by ADIs), asset-backed securities (eligible residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed commercial paper) and eligible commercial paper. A positive value indicates the RBA has purchased securities under RPs while a negative value indicates the RBA has sold securities under RPs. It does not include RPs which are transacted through the RBA’s overnight RP facility. The value of the second leg of all RPs is captured in the ‘System cash position’ on the respective value dates.

‘Exchange Settlement account balances (end day)’ is the aggregate of all ES balances held at the RBA at the close of business. Unexpected movements in ES balances and overnight RPs transacted through the RBA’s overnight RP facility mean that ‘Exchange Settlement account balances (end day)’ will not necessarily be the sum of the previous day’s ‘Exchange Settlement account balances (end day)’, the ‘System cash position’ and the total of ‘Open market operations’ transacted.

‘Overnight repurchase agreements with RBA’ is the aggregate of the first leg of securities bought by the RBA through the overnight RP facility. These data are updated with a one month lag.

Outright Transaction Details

The 'Outright Transactions Details' sheet provides further information on the outright purchases and sales of Bonds and Discount Securities issued by the Australian Commonwealth, State & Territory Governments, conducted as part of the Bank's open market operations. “Issuer” is the acronym of the issuer of the bond/security. A positive “Face value dealt” indicates a purchase while a negative value indicates a sale. 'Weighted average rate' is the average of the rates dealt for each bond/security, weighted by the amount transacted. 'Cut-off rate' is the lowest yield accepted.

Repo Details

The Repo Details sheets provide a summary of the type of securities delivered to/by the RBA under RP at each term dealt through the open market operations. 'Govt and Quasi-Govt Repo Details' covers repo against General Collateral (eligible securities issued by the Australian Government, State and Territory governments, supranational institutions, foreign governments and government agencies as well as eligible securities with a sovereign government guarantee). ‘Private securities’ covers all other eligible collateral, including ADI-issued securities (eligible bank-issued discount securities and certificates of deposit with 12 months or less to maturity and bonds issued by ADIs), asset-backed securities (eligible residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed commercial paper) and eligible commercial paper.

'Term' is the number of days dealt in open market operations.

'Value Dealt' is the amount of the first leg of securities bought/sold by the RBA under RP.

Weighted average rate' is the is the average of the rates on RPs dealt by the RBA through open market operations, weighted by the amount transacted.

'Cut-off rate' is the lowest rate dealt by the RBA through open market operations for each term dealt.

Repo Unwinds

The Repos Unwinds sheet provides a summary of the value of repurchase agreements due to unwind in the future, for both General Collateral and Private Securities. The unwind amount is equal to the sum of the total value dealt to that date plus accrued interest.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in Australia from 1987 to 2022, with projections up until 2029. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2022, the average inflation rate in Australia was at about 6.61 percent compared to the previous year.

Australia's economy

Australia has one of the world’s largest economies and is a significant global importer and exporter. It is also labeled as one of the G20 countries, also known as the Group of Twenty, which consists of 20 major economies around the globe. The Australian economy is highly dependent on its mining sector as well as its agricultural sector in order to grow, and it exports the majority of these goods to eastern Asian countries, most prominently China. Large quantities of exports have helped Australia maintain a stable economy and furthered economic expansion, despite being affected by several economic obstacles.

Australia’s GDP has seen a significant increase over the past decade, more than doubling its value, and experienced a rather quick recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, which indicates that the country experienced economic growth as well as higher productivity. One of the primary reasons is the further development of the nation’s mining industry coupled with the expansion and success of many Australian mining companies.

Exchange Rate: RBA: Malaysian Ringgit to Australian Dollar data was reported at 2.774 AUD/MYR in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.757 AUD/MYR for Jan 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: Malaysian Ringgit to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 2.654 AUD/MYR from Nov 1983 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 496 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.417 AUD/MYR in Jul 2017 and a record low of 1.569 AUD/MYR in Jul 1986. Exchange Rate: RBA: Malaysian Ringgit to Australian Dollar 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.M009: Exchange Rate.

Bank Lending Rate in Australia decreased to 10.63 percent in February from 10.79 percent in January of 2025. This dataset provides - Australia Bank Lending Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Australia RBA Forecast:(CPI) Consumer Price IndexInflation: High data was reported at 2.700 % in Jun 2027. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.800 % for Dec 2026. Australia RBA Forecast:(CPI) Consumer Price IndexInflation: High data is updated semiannually, averaging 2.500 % from Jun 2007 (Median) to Jun 2027, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.000 % in Dec 2022 and a record low of -1.000 % in Jun 2020. Australia RBA Forecast:(CPI) Consumer Price IndexInflation: High 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.I004: Consumer Price Index: Forecast.

Australia Exchange Rate: RBA: Trade Weighted Index data was reported at 59.500 May1970=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 59.600 May1970=100 for Jan 2025. Australia Exchange Rate: RBA: Trade Weighted Index data is updated monthly, averaging 63.300 May1970=100 from May 1970 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 658 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 121.300 May1970=100 in Jan 1974 and a record low of 47.000 May1970=100 in Sep 2001. Australia Exchange Rate: RBA: Trade Weighted Index 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.M009: Exchange Rate.