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.

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 **** percentage points, bringing the interest rate to **** percent. This was the thirteenth interest rate increase by the RBA since November 4, 2020, which saw the interest rate drop to a record *** percent.

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

Exchange Rate: RBA: New Zealand Dollar to Australian Dollar data was reported at 1.079 AUD/NZD in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.100 AUD/NZD for Mar 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: New Zealand Dollar to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 1.147 AUD/NZD from Jul 1969 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 670 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.

Interbank Rate in Australia decreased to 3.84 percent in June from 4 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Australia Three Month Interbank Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This report analyses the Australian cash rate target. The cash rate is the interest rate that authorised deposit-taking institutions pay or charge for overnight funds. The cash rate target is controlled by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and is the main monetary policy tool of the RBA in signalling their stance and decision of easing or tightening policy. The RBA board meets on the first Tuesday of every month and decides whether to change the cash rate and by how much. Changes to the cash rate tend to be made in 25 basis point increments. The main objectives for the bank when adjusting the rate are to keep inflation within the target of 2-3%, maintain full employment and ensure the economic prosperity and welfare of Australians. The data for this report is sourced from the RBA and is presented as the average cash rate over each financial year.

Exchange Rate: RBA: Euro to Australian Dollar data was reported at 0.564 AUD/EUR in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.580 AUD/EUR for Mar 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: Euro to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 0.621 AUD/EUR from Jan 1999 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 316 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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Real Broad Effective Exchange Rate for Australia (RBAUBIS) from Jan 1994 to May 2025 about Australia, broad, exchange rate, currency, real, and rate.

Exchange Rate: RBA: UK Pound Sterling to Australian Dollar data was reported at 0.479 AUD/GBP in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.485 AUD/GBP for Mar 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: UK Pound Sterling to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 0.494 AUD/GBP from Jul 1969 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 670 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.780 AUD/GBP in Oct 1976 and a record low of 0.335 AUD/GBP in Sep 2001. Exchange Rate: RBA: UK Pound Sterling 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 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.

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.

Exchange Rate: RBA: Japanese Yen to Australian Dollar data was reported at 91.430 AUD/JPY in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 93.620 AUD/JPY for Mar 2025. Exchange Rate: RBA: Japanese Yen to Australian Dollar data is updated monthly, averaging 93.710 AUD/JPY from Jul 1969 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 670 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 450.550 AUD/JPY in Aug 1974 and a record low of 56.110 AUD/JPY in Oct 2000. Exchange Rate: RBA: Japanese Yen 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 benchmark interest rate in New Zealand was last recorded at 3.25 percent. This dataset provides - New Zealand Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

‘RBA foreign exchange transactions’, sales (-) and purchases (+), are reported according to the date on which settlement takes place (‘value date’).

‘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.

‘Australian Government’ transactions are the RBA’s foreign exchange transactions with the Australian Government.

‘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.

‘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’.

‘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.

‘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.

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’).

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.

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.

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.

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers reported $533.9M in Cash and Equivalent for its fiscal quarter ending in December of 2024. Data for Ritchie Bros Auctioneers | RBA - Cash And Equivalent including historical, tables and charts were last updated by Trading Economics this last July in 2025.