Has the fixed rate mortgage cliff fallen short?

By Evlin DuBose · · 3 min read
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Collage of a woman falling off the fixed rate mortgage cliff.

The fixed rate mortgage cliff was one of the scarier predictions made about this year. However, new data from CoreLogic reveals that our worst fears about the fixed mortgage cliff may not have happened – nor are they likely to. 

Indeed, even the current Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe admitted the fixed mortgage cliff has been largely nonexistent, explaining that borrowers coming off low pandemic-era fixed rate home loans haven’t had any more trouble making repayments than variable ones. 

In theory, this is great news. There hasn’t been a cascade of home loan defaults that could herald a recession, nor has there been a significant spike in distressed home sales or negative equity. 

But don’t celebrate just yet: thousands of fixed borrowers still have yet to come onto variable rates, and mortgage stress is still high.

So is the fixed mortgage cliff something to worry about? Or is the drop-off more gentle?

What is the fixed rate mortgage cliff?

Man falling off the fixed rate cliff

The so-called “fixed rate mortgage cliff” was coined to describe the price shock Australian households would experience due to the unprecedented expiry of 1.3 million low-rate fixed home loans throughout mid-2023 to mid-2024. 

This was the risk: a larger-than-normal percentage of home loan borrowers took out fixed rate mortgages between mid-2020 and 2022, given that fixed interest rates fell to historic lows. These mortgages were mostly set for 1- to 3-year terms. 

This shielded a large portion of the property market from the effects of recent RBA rate hikes. Borrowers on variable rates have had to cope with 4.00% worth of rate hikes, and the corresponding increases to their mortgage interest repayments – fixed borrowers haven’t.

However, the majority of fixed mortgages are set to expire this year, which means they risk rolling onto new variable rates 3% to 4% higher. This sudden shock to mortgage repayments could theoretically spiral into an affordability crisis as borrowers struggle to cope with costs.

Fixed rate ending calculator

Is the fixed rate risk high? Data shows disaster may be averted

Borrowers calculating their budgets for when their first rate mortgages expire

Even at the height of fixed-rate popularity in early 2022, fixed rate home loans accounted for just 40% of all credit. This means the vast majority of home loans in Australia are variable rate, and, therefore, already exposed to RBA rate hikes. As fixed terms expire, the market's share of variable rates only grows larger daily. 

Fortunately, this means we’ve largely already seen how borrowers have coped with rate hikes. Many have fallen back on savings, refinanced their home loans to a lower rate mortgage, and/or adjusted their lifestyle to meet the demands of mortgage repayments.

Data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) shows that arrears (or late repayments) make up only 1.2% of outstanding loan debt. This number is extremely low, and much lower than pre-pandemic levels (1.6%). 

Admittedly though, this number has climbed up a bit from September 2022 (1.0%), showing that rate rises have applied pressure to household budgets. But CoreLogic head of research, Eliza Owen, says that payment arrears “are not necessarily a timely measure of mortgage stress.” 

“Not only is the APRA data slightly lagged,” explains Owen, “but measuring late payments means there is an additional lag on the data, where those struggling with higher housing costs tend to prioritise housing payments, and may take a while to actually miss a payment.”

Indeed, representatives from major banks claimed in a parliamentary hearing that the vast majority of borrowers have been resilient to RBA rate hikes – which the banks have eagerly passed along in full.

This doesn’t mean the housing market isn’t under stress. Cracks have instead appeared in the larger economy, namely by a plummet in consumer spending and sentiment and a loss in household saving ratios. 

Housing values – which grew significantly throughout the start of 2023 – have also cooled their enthusiasm, and sales stock bounced +2.8% in July despite a lacklustre number of buyers, indicating that homeowners may be selling to escape hefty repayments.

But perhaps what has helped us avoid the worst of the fixed rate cliff was that rate hikes – and the cliff itself – have been so heavily telegraphed. 

“The vast bulk of Australians are sensible. They knew this was coming,” said RBA governor Philip Lowe in a parliamentary hearing last week. 

“It has gone smoothly, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be problems down the track.”

CoreLogic’s Eliza Owen supports Lowe’s caution, saying that as the last rate rises flow through home loans, there may be a “mild deterioration” in the property market.

However, as the RBA inches closer to the cash rate peak, homeowners at least can look forward to the prospect of an extended rate hold, and – if conditions favour it – a rate cut in late 2024. 

Compare low rate home loans in the table below.

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

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Last updated 27 July 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

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  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<60%
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
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    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.11 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
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    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

  • Special Real Deal Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.13 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Refinancers or first home buyers pay no monthly or annual fees. Up to $3,000 cashback when you complete your home loan application online. $2,000 cashback on loans ≥$250K; or $3,000 cashback on loans ≥$500K. LVR ≤80%. T&Cs and credit criteria apply.

  • Optimum Fixed Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.34 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site

    Lock in a competitive interest rate and enjoy peace of mind for the fixed period. Available for owner occupied new and refinanced home loans with at least 20% deposit. Split option available as well as offset and redraw. Noapplication, ongoing or banking fees. Third Party fees may be applicable - payable within loan repayments. Extra repayments up to $20K per annum permitted. Apply online, 100% member owned credit union.

  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • OMG Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <60% LVR
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.02 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    BCU Bank’s OMG owner occupied home loan offers a variety of great low rates depending on your deposit. Save with no ongoing annual fees. Access your extra payments when you need to through the redraw facility. Pre-approval valid for 3 months.

  • Flex Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.34 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Competitive Fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.

  • Express Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <90%
    Interest rate
    6.01 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,001
    Go to site

    Get online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.

  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.11 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

  • Special Real Deal Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.13 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Refinancers or first home buyers pay no monthly or annual fees. Up to $3,000 cashback when you complete your home loan application online. $2,000 cashback on loans ≥$250K; or $3,000 cashback on loans ≥$500K. LVR ≤80%. T&Cs and credit criteria apply.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<60%
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

  • Flex Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.38 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR<60%
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.39 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
    Go to site

    Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.

  • Basic Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR<70%
    Interest rate
    6.25 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.20 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,079
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    No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.

  • Offset Home Loan

    • Fixed
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <70%
    Interest rate
    6.25 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.42 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,079
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  • Fixed Rate

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <80% LVR
    Interest rate
    6.54 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    7.10 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,174

    Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.

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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.

** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.

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