Australia’s biggest bank, CBA, has revised its cash rate forecast, reducing the number of predicted RBA cuts in 2024 from three 0.25 percentage point cuts to just one, scheduled for November. This decision comes on the back of stronger-than-expected inflation data from the ABS last Wednesday. Last week, Westpac’s economic team also updated the bank’s…
With Australia’s population moving through the fastest rate of growth since the 1950s, our cities and towns are naturally densifying. At a national level, the population density of 3.5 people per square kilometre (sq. km) is among the lowest in the world, highlighting our highly urbanised population where half the populace lives in the three…
The housing sector in New South Wales is facing a significant downturn, with apartment constructions plummeting since the introduction of additional taxes in 2017. Tim Reardon, the Chief Economist at the Housing Industry Association, highlights a stark 50% drop in unit commencements compared to previous years. “We’re witnessing apartment starts in NSW revert to levels…
Australia’s housing market has become harder for first-home buyers to access over time. The past two decades saw an increase of around 150% in the CoreLogic Home Value Index nationally, compared with an 82% rise in the ABS Wage Price Index. As a result, the wealth of property owners looking to buy their next home…
Recently the NAB released a summary of recent business statistics, from interest rates to inflation to business confidence, and had a look at the key numbers affecting Australia’s economy. Here’s what they had to say: First rate cut forecast for November The cash rate remains at 4.35% for now with little chance of further hikes,…
Money in the bank from households continues to climb with APRA’s latest data showing Australians collectively stockpiled an additional $6.17 billion in the month of February. This takes the total value of household deposits to a new record high of $1.46 trillion. APRA’s monthly banking statistics released today also show that since the start of…
It’s official – housing affordability in Australia is at a crisis point. A startling report by the Real Estate Institute of Australia reveals that families are now allocating nearly half of their income to mortgage repayments. Specifically, the average household spends just shy of 48% of their income on home repayments. The latest Housing Affordability…
Despite pandemics, rising interest rates, and challenging supply issues, the Australian property market remains a remarkably resilient, unyielding force, with two out of every five Australians determined to buy a home within the next five years. A recent Westpac Home Ownership Report reveals a surge in home buying intentions – 44% of Australians plan to purchase…
Who owns more property – men or women? Well, according to CoreLogic’s 2024 Women & Property report, which surveyed home ownership status and motivations, barriers and attitudes towards dwelling ownership among women and men in Australia 68.2% of women surveyed own at least one property – including owner-occupied and investment properties – slightly higher than…
Retail turnover increased by just +1.1 per cent over the year to January. After accounting for very rapid population growth and price inflation, this represents quite a significant slowdown for the sector. Source: ABS The national accounts reflected a very similar picture – the Aussie economy grew slightly in Q4 2023, up by 0.2 per…
