kbarbel640-del RBA Rate Intelligence
Real-time Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate monitoring, meeting schedules, and mortgage impact analysis.
Current Rates (February 2026)
| Metric | Value | Last Change |
|---|---|---|
| RBA Cash Rate | 4.10% | Dec 2024 (-25bp) |
| CPI (Annual) | 2.8% | Q4 2024 |
| RBA Target | 2-3% | Inflation target band |
⚠️ Rates change. Always verify at rba.gov.au
RBA Meeting Schedule 2026
The RBA Board meets 8 times per year to decide the cash rate.
| # | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 February 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2 | 1 April 2026 | Wednesday |
| 3 | 20 May 2026 | Wednesday |
| 4 | 1 July 2026 | Wednesday |
| 5 | 12 August 2026 | Wednesday |
| 6 | 23 September 2026 | Wednesday |
| 7 | 4 November 2026 | Wednesday |
| 8 | 9 December 2026 | Wednesday |
Decision announcement: 2:30 PM AEDT/AEST on meeting day
Official calendar: RBA Monetary Policy Meetings
Rate Impact Calculator
Monthly Repayment Formula (P&I)
M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n – 1]
Where:
- P = Principal (loan amount)
- r = Monthly rate (annual rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100)
- n = Total months (years × 12)
Quick Impact Table ($500,000 loan, 30 years)
| Rate | Monthly P&I | vs 4.10% |
|---|---|---|
| 3.60% | $2,272 | -$160/mo |
| 3.85% | $2,343 | -$89/mo |
| 4.10% | $2,416 | — |
| 4.35% | $2,490 | +$74/mo |
| 4.60% | $2,565 | +$149/mo |
| 5.00% | $2,684 | +$268/mo |
| 6.00% | $2,998 | +$582/mo |
Per 0.25% Rate Change
$500,000 loan → ~$75/month difference
$750,000 loan → ~$112/month difference
$1,000,000 loan → ~$150/month difference
CPI & Inflation
What is CPI?
Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices paid by households for goods and services.
Latest CPI Data
| Quarter | Annual % | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Q4 2024 | 2.8% | ↓ |
| Q3 2024 | 2.9% | ↓ |
| Q2 2024 | 3.4% | ↓ |
| Q1 2024 | 3.8% | ↓ |
RBA's Inflation Target
- Target band: 2-3% annual inflation
- Above 3%: RBA may raise rates to cool economy
- Below 2%: RBA may cut rates to stimulate growth
Data source: ABS CPI
Historical Cash Rate
Recent Rate Movements
| Date | Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | 4.10% | -0.25% |
| Nov 2023 | 4.35% | +0.25% |
| Jun 2023 | 4.10% | +0.25% |
| May 2023 | 3.85% | +0.25% |
| Mar 2023 | 3.60% | +0.25% |
| Nov 2020 | 0.10% | -0.15% (COVID low) |
Key Milestones
- COVID Low: 0.10% (Nov 2020 – Apr 2022)
- Fastest Hike Cycle: +4.25% in 18 months (May 2022 – Nov 2023)
- Current Easing Cycle: Started Dec 2024
Full history: RBA Cash Rate Target
Variable vs Fixed Rates
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Variable | Benefits from rate cuts; Flexible (extra repayments, offset) | Exposed to rate rises |
| Fixed | Certainty; Protection from rises | Misses out on cuts; Break costs; Limited flexibility |
Current Market Rates (Indicative)
| Product | Range |
|---|---|
| Variable (owner-occupied, P&I) | 5.80% – 6.50% |
| 2-year Fixed | 5.50% – 6.20% |
| 3-year Fixed | 5.40% – 6.00% |
Rates vary by lender, LVR, and loan features. Compare at canstar.com.au
Proactive Alerts (For Clawdbot Users)
Set up reminders for RBA meetings:
"Remind me the day before each RBA meeting"
"Alert me when RBA changes the cash rate"
"Notify me when CPI data is released"
CPI release schedule: Quarterly (late Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)
Key Resources
- RBA Official: rba.gov.au
- ABS Statistics: abs.gov.au
- Rate Comparison: canstar.com.au
- Economic Calendar: tradingeconomics.com/australia/calendar
Disclaimer
This skill provides general information only. Interest rates, economic data, and policies change frequently. Always verify current rates with official sources (RBA, ABS) and consult a qualified mortgage broker or financial advisor before making financial decisions.
Built by Oney & Co — Australian lending insights, simplified.