Official cash rate unmoved at 1.50% following May RBA meeting

With predictability to rival a Japanese train, the Reserve Bank board has announced a 19th consecutive hold for the official cash rate which remains at a record low 1.50% following today’s meeting in Sydney.      

The latest decision means that the Reserve Bank board haven’t shifted the cash rate since August 2016, which resulted in a 25 basis point cut, while last rate rise dates all the way back to November 2010.

In his statement on today’s decision, Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe highlighted inflation, which remains below the target level of 2-3%, as one of the reasons for maintaining the status quo.

"The recent inflation data were in line with the Bank's expectations, with both CPI and underlying inflation running marginally below 2 per cent. Inflation is likely to remain low for some time, reflecting low growth in labour costs and strong competition in retailing," he said.

"The low level of interest rates is continuing to support the Australian economy. Further progress in reducing unemployment and having inflation return to target is expected, although this progress is likely to be gradual."

The decision to hold rates for at least another month was hardly unexpected, especially given Governor Lowe’s comments from the RBA’s April 3 Monetary Policy Meeting in which he indicated that there was, “not a strong case for a near-term adjustment in monetary policy.”

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According to Mozo Product Data Manager Peter Marshall, sluggish movement in a number of key economic indicators suggests that a shift in sentiment from the RBA could remain unlikely in the near future.  

“We’re already coming up to halfway through the year, and so far there’s been little case built for a rate increase,” he said.

“If it was going to happen this year we’d have seen some positive indicators by now, so in their absence I’m calling rates on hold until 2019 - possibly the middle of 2019, or even 2020.”

Could funding pressure put the squeeze on home loan lenders?

While the official cash rate has remained stable for yet another month, the same can’t be said for some home loan lenders, with the Mozo database revealing both a number of cuts and hikes to mortgage rates during the month of April.

Heritage Bank and ING were among the lenders to make widespread reductions to a range of variable home loan rates, while online lender ME cited increased funding costs in its decision to hike a number of variable rates.

And with funding pressure expected to increase as a result of higher interest rates in the United States, banks and other lenders in Australia could further hike home loan rates.

“A number of banks have already lifted their rates in response to this funding cost squeeze, and I fully expect that more lenders will be forced to follow suit in the future,” said Marshall.

Have a look at some of the lowest home loan rates currently* in Mozo’s database:

Best variable rate home loan offers

Best fixed rate home loan offers (3 year term)

Term deposit turn around   

It feels like an age, but the tide may finally be turning for Australians looking to put their savings into a term deposit account, with rate increases outweighing cuts for the second consecutive month.

Savers looking for some joy through their savings account will likely have to keep waiting though, as figures from the Mozo database revealed just a single rate increase amongst a number of rate cuts for savings account throughout April.

Check out some of the best rates currently* in the Mozo database for both term deposits and savings accounts below:  

Best term deposit offers (based on a balance of $25,000)

Best ongoing savings account offers

  • RAMS Saver Account - 3.00% (when you deposit a minimum of $200 and make no withdrawals every month)UBank USaver with Ultra Transaction Account - 2.87% (when you deposit at least $200 into the account or a linked Ultra Transaction Account every month)
  • ME Online Savings Account - 2.85% (when you make a weekly tap and go purchase with a ME Everyday Transaction Account Debit MasterCard)
  • Australian Unity Active Saver - 2.80% (when you make a minimum deposit of at least $250 and no withdrawals each month)
  • ING Savings Maximiser - 2.80% (when you deposit $1,000 or more each month from a linked Orange Everyday account as well as make at least five purchases on your credit or debit card)

Interested in comparing a range of banking offers for yourself? Mozo’s handy comparison tables are a great place to start, so start comparing a range of home loans, term deposits and savings accounts today!   

*Rates accurate as of May 1, 2018.

Read last month's Reserve Bank interest rates update.

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

Mozo may receive payment if you click the products below. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can search our database of 472 home loans.
Last updated 6 July 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Special Real Deal Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.23 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,059
    Go to site

    No application or service fees. Flexibility to choose your repayment schedule (weekly, fortnightly or monthly). Use multiple Everyday Accounts with 100% interest offset to pay your home loan off sooner.

  • 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.

  • Fixed Rate Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.15 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027

    Additional repayments of up to $10K per fixed year. Interest rate discounts available. Waiver of $499 application fee when combined with an Orange Advantage Home Loan.

  • 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.

  • Mortgage Simplifier

    • LVR<80%
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.17 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043

    Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.

  • 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.

  • Discount Great Rate Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR<80%
    • over $150k
    Interest rate
    6.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.21 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,059
    Go to site

    An easy to use Home Loan with no establishment fee and no monthly or annual fees. Minimum deposit of 20% is required. Mozo Experts Choice Awards - Investor Home Loan Award 2024^.

  • Special Real Deal Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.19 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.23 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,059
    Go to site

    No application or service fees. Flexibility to choose your repayment schedule (weekly, fortnightly or monthly). Use multiple Everyday Accounts with 100% interest offset to pay your home loan off sooner.

  • 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
    Go to site

    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.

  • 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
    Go to site

  • Fixed Rate

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <80% LVR
    Interest rate
    6.59 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    7.06 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,190

    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.

image of houses

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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.

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.