RBA Housing Lending Rates: April 2026 Data Released in July

Short summary

The Reserve Bank of Australia's lender-rate tables, updated on 7 July 2026, show that new owner-occupier principal-and-interest housing loans averaged 5.92% a year in April. New investor principal-and-interest loans averaged 6.09%.

These are market averages for loans funded during April, not advertised rates, live quotes or the rate a particular borrower will receive. The data also pre-date the cash rate increase that became effective on 17 June 2026.

Use the Mortgage Repayment Calculator to test an entered rate and loan amount. The result is indicative and does not predict how a lender will price or approve a loan.

The April housing-rate snapshot

The RBA says the tables combine variable and fixed-rate loans. That makes them useful for broad market context, but unsuitable for comparing two specific products.

Worked repayment example

Assume a $600,000 principal-and-interest loan over 30 years and hold the rate constant for the whole term.

• At 5.92%, the estimated monthly repayment is about $3,566.50.
• At 6.09%, the estimated monthly repayment is about $3,632.09.
• The difference is about $65.59 a month.

This example isolates the rate difference. It does not include fees, offset balances, redraw, extra repayments, interest-only periods or future rate changes. Use the Loan Comparison Calculator when fees differ, and the Rate Change Impact Calculator to test a later increase or decrease.

Why the release is lagged

The RBA publishes housing and business lending rates 25 business days after the end of each month. The July update therefore reports April lending conditions.

The official cash rate is now 4.35%, effective from 17 June 2026. April mortgage averages should not be presented as current offers or used to infer that every lender has passed on the same change.

Who may find the data useful

Borrowers can use the averages as a reasonableness check when reviewing an existing rate or a new quote. An individual rate can sit above or below the average because of loan-to-value ratio, loan purpose, repayment type, property, lender policy, fixed or variable structure and product features.

Investors should also note that the average investor rate was higher than the corresponding owner-occupier rate in the April data. That gap belongs in a cash-flow estimate, but it is not a forecast of future pricing.

What remains uncertain

The next monthly release may reflect later cash-rate and lender repricing. A product's comparison rate, fees and features can also change its total cost even when the headline rate looks competitive.

The Borrowing Power Calculator uses an entered contract rate plus a serviceability buffer for general planning. It is not a lender assessment, approval or credit recommendation.

Sources

• RBA: Lenders' Interest Rates, updated 7 July 2026 and checked 19 July 2026.
• RBA: Cash Rate Target Overview, checked 19 July 2026.
• RBA: Schedule of Statistical Releases, checked 19 July 2026.

General information disclaimer

This article provides general information only. It is not financial advice, credit advice, a rate quote, loan offer or approval. Rates, fees and lender policies vary. Confirm current product terms with the lender and speak with a licensed professional where appropriate.