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.

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

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.

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 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.

Australia's main stock market index, the ASX200, fell to 8662 points on August 1, 2025, losing 0.92% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 0.75% and is up 9.05% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Australia. Australia Stock Market Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.