Finance
On the first Tuesday of every month (except in January), the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) sets the cash rate. They decide whether to raise it, lower it or leave it the same, depending on a number of factors, including the performance of the Australian dollar, the state of the housing market and inflation.
The last time the cash rate rose was in November 2010. Since then, the general trend has been for the rate to remain the same, decreasing only every so often. The last decrease was in August 2016.
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When the cash rate stays the same, you shouldn’t see much change in your repayments. However, banks may choose to raise their own interest rates despite the unchanged cash rate. In early 2017, the big four Australian banks began raising their interest rates for investors and owner-occupiers with interest-only loans, independently of the cash rate.
Keep an eye on your lender’s rate as even the slightest interest rate rise could make it difficult for you to meet your loan repayment obligations. If you do find yourself struggling with increased repayments, speak to a Home Loan Specialist about switching your loan to a lower rate option.
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The unchanged cash rate means you’re unlikely to see a decrease in the high volumes of buyers and investors entering the property market.
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Staying warm this winter: As the temperature goes down, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your power bill. Be aware of any increases in your gas, electricity and other utility bills that may come with using heaters, heat lamps in bathrooms, more hot water in the shower, clothes dryers and electric blankets.
Additional bank fees: This year’s federal budget announced extra taxes for the country’s biggest banks. Despite the government's repeated warnings, the banks are insisting these fees must be passed down to their customers.
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Tags: rba cash rate, reserve bank, interest rate, winter, june
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