Brett Lucas Property & Asset Finance

03/02/2026

At its first meeting of 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points, taking it to 3.85%. This marks the RBA’s first cash rate increase since November 2023 and reflects ongoing concerns about inflation.

Australia’s inflation rate continues to trend upward, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 3.8% in the 12 months to December, up from 3.4% in November. Underlying inflation, measured by the trimmed mean, was 3.3% over the same period, slightly higher than the 3.2% recorded in November. The RBA’s goal is for inflation to sit “sustainably” within its target range of 2 to 3%, preferably around the midpoint. With price pressures proving stubborn, today’s increase was widely expected by the major banks.

According to Roy Morgan data, today’s cash rate hike could place additional pressure on household budgets, with around 1.3 million households potentially experiencing mortgage stress. A 0.25 per cent increase could add roughly $115 to the monthly repayment on an average $694,000 mortgage.

If you are feeling the impact, you are not alone. We can confirm whether your lender is passing on the increase, explain what it means for your repayments and help you assess whether a more competitive loan may be available.

And if buying property is part of your 2026 plans, we are here to help you explore your finance options and make sure you are prepared in a changing rate environment.

The next cash rate decision will be announced on 17 March.

14/10/2025

02/09/2025

Advertised supply levels remain about -20% below average for this time of the year

12/08/2025

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has delivered the third cash rate cut for 2025, with a 25 basis point cut bringing it down to 3.6 per cent. The announcement comes after inflation continued to ease.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.9 per cent in the 12 months to June, down from a 2.1 per cent rise to May.

Last month, the RBA caught many economists off guard by holding firm on the cash rate, citing it needed more data before making its next move. That data has now arrived, and it points to further easing in inflation.

For the June quarter, CPI fell from 2.4 per cent to 2.1 per cent. Underlying inflation, as represented by the trimmed mean, dropped from 2.9 per cent to 2.7 per cent - its lowest since December 2021.

What’s more, there may be more relief on the way for mortgage holders. Experts say the fallout from the Trump administration’s tariffs could see interest rates cut further than previously anticipated. Economists expect that if inflation and economic growth continue on their current path, there is room for one or two more cuts this year.

25/07/2025

Where should you invest next?

08/07/2025

Rates on hold!

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to keep the cash rate on hold at 3.85 per cent at its latest meeting.

However, with inflation trending lower, it’s looking like borrowers can expect another cash rate cut soon (maybe mid August)

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.1 per cent over the 12 months to May with underlying inflation, as represented by the trimmed mean, fell to 2.4 per cent in May, down from 2.8 per cent in April.

That’s the lowest it’s been since November 2021 and well within the RBA’s target band of 2-3 per cent

With inflation edging lower, there was widespread talk of a third cash rate reduction today with some commentators anticipating back-to-back interest rate cuts in July and August following the falling inflation figures. However, the RBA decided to keep the cash rate on hold – for this month at least…

The next RBA cash rate decision will be announced on 12 August, and all eyes will be on the RBA to see its next move.

20/05/2025

Cash Rate down 0.25%

It’s the news homeowners across the nation love hearing!

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has slashed the cash rate 0.25 percentage points, bringing it down to 3.85 per cent. The announcement comes after inflation continued to drop in the March quarter.

The latest inflation data left many economists almost certain of more interest rate relief to come, with some even anticipating we could see a 50-basis point cut to 3.6 per cent in May. But the RBA went with a 25-basis point cut instead.

“We’ve come a long way, and it hasn’t been easy, but we have made good progress on bringing inflation down and keeping unemployment low,” RBA Governor Michele Bullock recently said.

“This is a good position for the economy to be in as we approach a period of uncertainty.”

“The Board will continue to look at the data to assess if the economy and inflation continue to evolve as expected.”

If you have a home loan and you haven’t reviewed it in a while, now is the time to get in touch. We can check whether your lender has passed on the interest rate cut and explain what that means for you.

For aspiring homeowners, it’s a great time to be contemplating a property purchase, with interest rates coming down.

There have also been some exciting housing announcements as part of the federal election, such as the expansion of the government’s Help to Buy scheme. Under the scheme, eligible home buyers can purchase a property with a deposit of as little as 2 per cent, without having to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), with the government contributing 30 to 40 per cent equity towards the purchase.

Labor also pledged to expand the existing First Home Guarantee, so that first-time buyers can purchase a home with a 5 per cent deposit from 2026, without copping LMI.

To chat through whether you qualify, get in touch today.

01/04/2025

Cash rate on hold at 4.10%

The RBA has kept the cash rate on hold at 4.10 per cent at its latest meeting. Most expected this with an election in play, however with inflation trending lower, many are hoping another cash rate cut will be just around the corner, potentially in May

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed inflation has continued to ease in Australia. The monthly consumer price index (CPI) figures showed headline inflation slowed to 2.4 per cent over the 12 months to February – well within the RBA’s target band and down from 2.5 per cent in January.

01/04/2025

Herron Todd White's property clock

10/03/2025

another happy client...

07/03/2025

RBA Rate Cut – Does Your Lender Adjust Your Repayments Automatically?

Some lenders will lower your loan repayments without action required, while others need you to request an adjustment.

Some of the lenders that automatically adjust repayments:

• FirstMac - Timeframe for Adjustment Within 2 weeks
• Granite Home - Timeframe for Adjustment Within 2 - 3 weeks
• NG - Timeframe for Adjustment Within 1 - 2 weeks
• Macquarie - Timeframe for Adjustment: Within 1 - 2 weeks
• Pepper - Timeframe for Adjustment: Within 2 weeks
• Resimac - Timeframe for Adjustment: Within 2 - 3 weeks
• UBank - Timeframe for Adjustment: Within 1 - 2 weeks

Some of the lenders that require you to request a change to your loan repayment

• AMP - Contact number: 13 30 30
• ANZ - Contact number: 13 13 14
• Bank Australia - Contact number: 132 888
• Bankwest - Contact number: 13 17 19
• Bendigo Bank - Contact number: 1300 236 344
• BOQ (Bank of Queensland) - Contact number: 1300 55 72 72
• CBA (Commonwealth Bank) - Contact number: 13 22 21
• NAB - Contact number: 13 22 65
• St George - Contact number: 13 33 30
• Suncorp - Contact number: 13 11 55
• Westpac - Contact number: 13 20 32