The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate by 25bps to 4.1% at its March 2026 meeting, following a hike in February, in line with market expectations. In a split decision, the move was driven by a broad set of data pointing to renewed inflationary pressures in H2 of 2025. While some of the pickup is seen as temporary, the board noted modest labour market tightening and stronger capacity constraints than previously assessed. Elevated uncertainty around the Middle East conflict could add to global and domestic inflation risks. Against this backdrop, the RBA expects inflation to remain above target for some time, with risks skewed to the upside, including through expectations, warranting the latest increase. Policymakers stressed a data-dependent approach, monitoring global and financial conditions, domestic demand, and labour trends. They emphasized that policy remains flexible and positioned to respond as needed, with a continued focus on price stability and full employment. source: Reserve Bank of Australia

The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 4.10 percent. Interest Rate in Australia averaged 3.87 percent from 1990 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 17.50 percent in January of 1990 and a record low of 0.10 percent in November of 2020. This page provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Australia Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 4.10 percent. Interest Rate in Australia is expected to be 4.10 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Interest Rate is projected to trend around 4.10 percent in 2027 and 3.60 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-09 03:30 AM RBA Interest Rate Decision 3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 3.6%
2026-02-03 03:30 AM RBA Interest Rate Decision 3.85% 3.6% 3.85% 3.85%
2026-03-17 03:30 AM RBA Interest Rate Decision 4.1% 3.85% 4.1% 4.1%
2026-05-05 04:30 AM RBA Interest Rate Decision 4.1% 4.35%
2026-05-06 01:30 AM RBA Chart Pack
2026-06-04 12:00 AM RBA Payments System Board Meeting


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 371933.00 374369.00 AUD Million Mar 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 2.85 2.85 percent Feb 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 105800.00 104725.00 AUD Million Feb 2026
Interbank Rate 3.96 3.83 percent Mar 2026
RBA Interest Rate 4.10 3.85 percent Mar 2026
Private Sector Credit YoY 7.80 7.70 percent Feb 2026
Loans to Private Sector 1363.61 1355.20 AUD Billion Feb 2026
Money Supply M0 303.65 321.93 AUD Billion Feb 2026
Money Supply M1 1964.02 1961.69 AUD Billion Feb 2026
Money Supply M3 3396.05 3368.56 AUD Billion Feb 2026


Australia Interest Rate
In Australia, interest rates decisions are taken by the Reserve Bank of Australia's Board. The official interest rate is the cash rate. The cash rate is the rate charged on overnight loans between financial intermediaries, is determined in the money market as a result of the interaction of demand for and supply of overnight funds.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.10 3.85 17.50 0.10 1990 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Energy Costs Weigh on Growth, Inflation: RBA Minutes
Australia’s inflation remains elevated, with excess demand persisting, according to the Reserve Bank’s March minutes. Rising oil prices, driven by Middle East tensions, were flagged as a key near-term inflation driver, lifting short-term expectations, though longer-term ones stayed anchored. Higher energy costs are expected to weigh on growth domestically and globally, though the scale of impact is uncertain. Policymakers noted financial conditions have tightened slightly but questioned how restrictive current settings are. Most members judged further rate hikes likely necessary to return inflation to target, as risks tilt upward. Supply constraints could worsen amid geopolitical developments, adding pressure. Yet demand outlook remains unclear, given Australia’s energy-export role and resilient household balance sheets. Members estimated that if oil prices hold near USD 100 per barrel, headline CPI could rise to about 5% in the June quarter.
2026-03-31
RBA Flags Inflation Threat from Global Oil Shock
A global supply shock from the war in Iran could lift inflation and long-term expectations, particularly as capacity pressures persist, the Reserve Bank of Australia warned. Assistant Governor Chris Kent said in a speech that the shock “could both push short-run neutral rates higher and necessitate a more restrictive stance of policy.” He cautioned that the longer the conflict endures, the greater the economic fallout and risk of asset repricing. Kent explained that a negative supply shock raises prices while weakening activity, “making us all poorer,” and stressed that central banks cannot offset such shocks directly. Their role, he noted, is to prevent initial price surges from embedding into longer-term expectations. The RBA will continue weighing offsetting forces, tighter financial conditions and rising inflation risks, to guide policy aimed at sustaining price stability and full employment over the medium term.
2026-03-25
RBA Lifts Rates for Second Month Amid Inflation Pressures
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate by 25bps to 4.1% at its March 2026 meeting, following a hike in February, in line with market expectations. In a split decision, the move was driven by a broad set of data pointing to renewed inflationary pressures in H2 of 2025. While some of the pickup is seen as temporary, the board noted modest labour market tightening and stronger capacity constraints than previously assessed. Elevated uncertainty around the Middle East conflict could add to global and domestic inflation risks. Against this backdrop, the RBA expects inflation to remain above target for some time, with risks skewed to the upside, including through expectations, warranting the latest increase. Policymakers stressed a data-dependent approach, monitoring global and financial conditions, domestic demand, and labour trends. They emphasized that policy remains flexible and positioned to respond as needed, with a continued focus on price stability and full employment.
2026-03-17