Market Intelligence
The Lender Watchlist
We track rates, policies, and appetite across Australia's lending landscape — so when it's time to move, you move with precision. Here's what we're seeing right now.
Who We Work With
We actively liaise with 44 lenders on your behalf — from the major banks to specialist and non-bank institutions — negotiating rates, comparing policies, and identifying which lender is the right fit for your situation right now.
Panel subject to change. Additional specialist lenders available on request.
RBA Cash Rate
The official rate set by the Reserve Bank of Australia. It anchors the cost of money across the economy, and lenders price mortgage and business products against it.
Current Target
4.60%
Up 0.25%. Raised on 29 September 2026
Last updated: 29 September 2026
Latest Decision
At its meeting on 29 September 2026, the Monetary Policy Board voted unanimously to raise the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.60 per cent. It is the fourth increase this year, following rises in February, March and May and two holds since, taking the cash rate up 100 basis points in 2026 to its highest level in 15 years. The Board said inflation remains elevated and some of the upside risks it flagged in August are materialising, with the conflict in the Middle East broadening and global energy prices now much higher than assumed. It noted housing prices have fallen in most capital cities and new housing loans have declined noticeably, and said it will do what is necessary to bring inflation sustainably back to target, including increasing the cash rate further if needed.
Source: RBA Monetary Policy Decision, 29 September 2026Source: RBA Cash Rate Target
Current Rate Snapshot
A high-level view of average lending rates across housing and business categories, based on RBA reporting. Individual lender rates vary — and that's precisely where we add value.
Housing Rates
*Average rates on outstanding loans, reported by the RBA (July 2026).
Business Rates
*Total rates on outstanding loans, reported by the RBA (July 2026).
Housing Lending Rates
The discount new borrowers once enjoyed has largely closed. As lenders passed through this year's cash rate increases, front-book pricing caught up with the back book, and owner-occupiers taking out a new loan are now paying marginally more on average than existing borrowers. Switching on its own no longer guarantees a saving. The advantage now sits with borrowers who negotiate against a specific lender's live pricing rather than relying on the market average.
| Lending Type | Average Rate |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupier (outstanding loans) | 6.21% |
| Owner-occupier (new loans) | 6.24% |
| Investor (outstanding loans) | 6.44% |
| Investor (new loans) | 6.41% |
Last updated: July 2026
Source: RBA Housing RatesBusiness Lending Rates
Business lending reflects a broader risk assessment by institutions, and the security behind a facility moves the price materially. Small business loans backed by residential property sit around 48 basis points below the small business average, and pricing improves further as facility size increases. How you structure and secure your finance is often worth more than the headline rate you negotiate.
| Lending Type | Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| Small business, total (outstanding) | 7.46% |
| Small business, total (new) | 7.44% |
| Small business, residentially secured (outstanding) | 6.98% |
| Small business, residentially secured (new) | 6.89% |
| Medium business, total (outstanding) | 6.21% |
| Medium business, total (new) | 6.26% |
| Large business, total (outstanding) | 5.74% |
| Large business, total (new) | 5.54% |
Last updated: July 2026
Source: RBA Business RatesFind the Best Rate for Your Situation
The RBA averages above are a useful benchmark, but they are market-wide figures reported a month or two in arrears. They do not reflect fixed-rate pricing, package discounts, or the sharper offers available through negotiation. Talk to us and we will compare live rates across our panel of 44 lenders to find the best option for you.