Each week, Refinance My Mortgage Weekly News Wrap for Australians delivers a concise, trustworthy rundown of the stories affecting Australian households — from government and policy moves to cost-of-living shifts, housing updates, and community headlines. Expect a clear, no-jargon recap, context on why it matters, and what to watch in the week ahead. Ideal for busy Australians seeking a dependable weekly catch-up without the noise.
This Week:
This week: The RBA held the cash rate at about 4.35% on Tuesday, 16 June, while keeping the option of further hikes open and setting the next decision for 11 August. Lender competition is heating up, with at least 11 lenders trimming selected variable rates for new customers and around 40 offering one rate under 6%, highlighting the ‘loyalty tax for existing borrowers. An EOFY guide urges homeowners to review offsets, consider splitting fixed and variable, request a valuation to improve LVR, and, for investors, seek advice on prepaying interest. Listeners are encouraged to review, negotiate, and compare.
EPISODE 2141 | Refinance My Mortgage Weekly News Wrap | Thu, 18th Jun 2026
18 Jun 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to Refinance My Mortgage Weekly News Wrap; Im Paige Estritori, its Thursday, 18 June 2026.
First up, the Reserve Bank of Australia, or RBA, held the cash rate at about four‑point‑three‑five per cent on Tuesday, 16 June. The Governor signalled the door is still open to further tightening if inflation doesnt cool, with the next decision due on 11 August. For homeowners, repayments stay steady for now, but lenders may keep tweaking fixed and new‑customer offers. Use the pause to pressure‑test your loan: ask for a repricing, and check if features like an offset or a part‑fixed, part‑variable split suit your budget.
Next up, rate competition is back. On 11 June, at least eleven lenders trimmed selected variable rates for new customers, and around forty are advertising at least one variable rate under six per cent. Most cuts dont flow automatically to existing borrowers, so the loyalty tax is real. If your rate feels high, call your lender to negotiate, compare the market, and consider refinancing to lower repayments or access better features.
Meanwhile, an end‑of‑financial‑year check‑up on 12 June highlights practical ways to get your home loan working harder. Make sure any offset account actually holds useful cash; otherwise you may be paying for a feature you dont use. A fresh valuation can reduce your loan‑to‑value ratio, or LVR, which can unlock sharper pricing. Some investors consider prepaying interest at tax time—get tax advice first—and switching to fortnightly repayments can shave interest over the long run.
Thats the wrap for this week. For clear comparisons and a friendly hand getting started, head to refinance‑my‑mortgage.com.au.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Fixed Income: A type of investment that pays regular interest or dividends, such as bonds or preferred stocks.
