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Borrowers may face continued repayment pressure as inflation remains sticky and further rate moves stay on the table.

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“While 2025 offered a brief reprieve, the 3.8% inflation surge has ended the easing cycle. As we enter February 2026, the market faces a stark reality: confidence remains, but the cost of borrowing is heading back up.”

Australia’s economy is currently a study in contrasts. While record-low unemployment and surging property values in cities like Melbourne and Brisbane signal robust growth, they simultaneously increase the pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). As we approach the February 3 cash rate decision, the “good news” of a 4.1% unemployment rate may paradoxically trigger “bad news” for mortgage holders: a potential 0.25% rate hike.

In this volatile environment, the role of a mortgage broker has never been more critical. With 77% of Australians now bypassing direct bank applications, borrowers are increasingly leaning on the “Best Interests Duty” (BID) to navigate rising repayments and find competitive edges in a record-breaking property market.

RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser warns that while the data is “soft,” it is not enough to guarantee a rate cut. The “uncomfortable number” refers to underlying inflation remaining at 3.2%, still above the 2–3% target.

As we enter 2026, the Australian property landscape is shifting. With experts predicting tighter lending rules, potential RBA rate hikes, and a surprise boom in Darwin, find out how you can stay ahead of the curve and maximize your tax savings this ye

The RBA has held the cash rate at 3.60%, signaling that relief for borrowers isn’t coming anytime soon. As inflation stays high, Australians must navigate a “squeeze” on monthly budgets, a growing retirement gap for renters, and the hidden ongoing costs of homeownership. Stay informed on how to protect your financial future in a tightening market.

Australia’s latest economic data shows inflation rising, unemployment falling, and interest rates likely staying on hold through 2026—putting continued pressure on mortgage holders. Despite this, new forecasts highlight Western Sydney as a standout growth region for 2026, while the GST system’s fairness is again under scrutiny. Here’s what these shifts mean for homeowners and buyers.

This week’s finance news highlights a complex economic outlook, featuring a predicted property market surge, deep-seated housing affordability crises, and a major corporate accountability settlement.

Australia’s financial world is tightening: Regulators are cracking down on non-bank lenders while gold’s record rally is flashing a major warning sign.

The corporate regulator, ASIC, is demanding a significant lift in standards from Australia’s rapidly growing private lending sector. This industry has extended about $200 billion in loans, much of it to higher-risk property developers. ASIC warns that without immediate improvement, the sector will face tighter regulation akin to banks. This move aims to control risk in a market with high-interest loans.