How high will interest rates go in 2024?
Key Facts
- Interest rates probably won't rise anymore in 2024.
- Rate cuts could happen in September 2024 (at the earliest).
The last two years have been gruelling for anyone with a home loan, with thirteen Reserve Bank rate hikes adding around 3.75% to the average mortgage rate — and over $1,300 to the typical borrower’s monthly repayments.
While borrowers could see the pace of tightening slow down with an enduring interest rate hold at 4.35% in 2024, a number of economists believe there might be one more hike to go before inflation is under wraps — most likely in February.
But just how high are interest rates expected to go this year? And when will the first rate cut happen?
While uncertainty seems to be a feature of today’s economy, ANZ, CommBank, NAB, and Westpac have some idea of where things are heading. Let's take a look at their economic forecasts below.
Australian interest rate forecast for 2024
Interest rates have most likely peaked at 4.35%. Currently, the odds of a rate hike in 2024 are quite low.
The Big Banks warn, however, that just because we've reached the top of this cycle, it doesn't mean rates will come down immediately. Interest rates will have to stay high until inflation comes down.
Big four RBA cash rate peak predictions for 2024 (6 February 2024)
Bank | Rate Peak |
CBA | 4.35% |
ANZ | 4.35% |
Westpac | 4.35% |
NAB | 4.35% |
Inflation has proved remarkably stubborn. Growth forecasts put inflation hitting the top of the RBA's target band of 2% - 3% late next year, which could bring rate cuts.
As a result, interest rates probably won't start dropping until December 2024, claims NAB. Westpac and Commonwealth Bank have a slightly earlier timeline with rate cuts beginning September 2024.
Home loan interest rate forecast
Following the RBA’s rate rise decisions in 2022-2023, many lenders passed on the full hike to variable rate customers without much hesitation. This is especially true of the Big Four Banks, who each swiftly lifted rates mere days — sometimes mere hours — after each RBA decision.
Each rate hike translates to higher monthly repayments, and with so many fixed rate terms set to expire in the coming months, analysts and policymakers are on the lookout for signs that households won’t be able to cope.
The table below shows just how far variable home loan interest rates have climbed thanks to RBA rate hikes.
How have rate hikes affected property prices?
The immediate effect of tight monetary policy is a decrease in borrowing power. This drove down demand significantly in 2022 as prospective borrowers found themselves either priced out of the market or forced to look at cheaper properties than they’d wish. As a result, property values fell -7.5% in 2022.
However, according to property research firm CoreLogic, property values in Australia have regained much of their lost territory, rising 8.1% in 2023 thanks to a combination of high demand and tight supply. Values are forecasted to keeping growing into 2024 by around 5%.
RELATED: What is Australia's average mortgage size?
The high rate environment has also tested the rental market, as a limited supply of rental homes and mortgage-stressed landlords has spiked average rental values by well over 10% in many capital cities. Higher rents can make it harder to save for that crucial first home loan deposit.
For more information, visit our RBA interest rate tracker page. And if you feel that refinancing is in order, be sure to visit our home loan comparison page, where you’ll be able to filter your search by rate and type.
Rate change calculator
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Compare low rate home loans - last updated 24 April 2024
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Featured Product
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Low Cost Home Loan - 2024
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment5.99% p.a. variable5.90% 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.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
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.
- interest rate
- 5.99% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.90% p.a.
- interest rate
- 5.99% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 5.90% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Unloan Variable
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Value Home Lender - 2024
Express Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <90%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.01% p.a. variable6.14% 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.
CompareCompareExpress Home Loan
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.
- interest rate
- 6.01% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.01% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.14% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $134
- Ongoing fees
- $10.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
- $350.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan
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Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.16% 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.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
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.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ubank Neat Home Loan
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Flex Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.24% p.a. variable6.48% p.a.Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process.
CompareCompareFlex Home Loan
Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process.
- interest rate
- 6.24% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.48% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.24% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.48% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $250.00 yearly
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- -
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ubank Flex Home Loan
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Fixed Rate
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.54% p.a.
fixed 2 years7.10% 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.
CompareCompareFixed Rate
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.
- interest rate
- 6.59% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 7.06% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.59% p.a.
fixed 3 years
- comparison rate
- 7.06% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $160
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $160.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
- no
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $20,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- -
- type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
- $3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, apply from 1 Dec 2022, settle within 180 days.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ANZ Fixed Rate
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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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