Investors push home loan refinancing levels to record high $17.8 billion

By Tom Watson · · 2 min read
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australian-property-owners-happy-about-refinancing

A recent surge in switching among Australian property investors has helped lift the amount of mortgage refinancing being undertaken to record levels.

Lending indicators released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last week show that mortgage holders refinanced roughly $17.8 billion worth of home loans to another lender in the month of August. That figure is the highest ever recorded by the ABS, beating out the previous record of $17.2 billion revealed last month.

Despite an overall rise, owner occupier refinancing actually dropped by 1% month-on-month, though it still reached over $11 billion during August. Meanwhile, refinancing among investors surged by 11.5% to a new high of $6.53 billion. 

External refinancing (seasonally adjusted). Source: ABS lending indicators, August 2021

abs-refinancing-figures-august-2021

As the ABS’ graph above shows, refinancing levels have gone through the roof in recent years - more than doubling since October 2018. This is perhaps unsurprising, as the Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate six times over that period and lenders have followed suit by dropping home loan rates for borrowers.

In fact, since October 2018, the average variable rate in the Mozo database (P&I repayments, 80% LVR) has fallen by 121 basis points for owner occupiers and 125 basis points for investors. 

As a result of these drops, existing mortgage holders have been presented with a real opportunity to switch their loan to a lower interest rate - an opportunity that, as the data indicates, many seem to be taking. 

RELATED: Multiple lenders are offering $3,000 cashback to refinance your home loan

Ready to find out if you can make the most of the current low interest rate environment by switching to a better deal on your mortgage? 

Our dedicated refinance home loan comparison table lets you compare refinancing offers from a range of different lenders all in one place. Or if you’re eager to get looking straight away, check out some of the great deals in the table below.

Refinance home loan comparison - last updated 20 April 2024

Search promoted home loans below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Featured Product
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Unloan Variable

    Owner Occupier, LVR <80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a. variable
    5.90% p.a.

    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.

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  • Offset Home Loan

    Package, Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.15% p.a. variable
    6.40% p.a.

    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.

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  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Express Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <90%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.01% p.a. variable
    6.14% p.a.

    Get fast 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.

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  • Neat Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.14% p.a. variable
    6.16% p.a.

    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.

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  • Basic Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years
    6.13% p.a.

    No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.

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    Details
  • Flex Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years
    6.37% p.a.

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

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  • Featured Product
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Unloan Variable

    Investment, LVR <80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.29% p.a. variable
    6.20% p.a.

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

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • Fixed Rate

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.54% p.a.
    fixed 2 years
    7.10% p.a.

    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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