The Finance Algorithm

RBA Impact Analyzer

Understand how RBA rate changes affect your specific loan

Updated October 2026Built and checked by MaverickHow it's calculatedReport an error

Your numbers

Updates as you type
$
$500k
%
6.8%
25y

The button asks our AI to explain these figures in words.

RBA rate impact: Variable

Current monthly

$3,470

25yr remaining

+25 bps impact

$79

+$954 per year

-25 bps saving

$79

per month

+75 bps worst case

$241

stress scenario

Monthly repayment across RBA scenarios

Today is the highlighted bar; cuts move you left, rises move you right.

$3,314-50 bps$3,392-25 bps$3,470Today$3,550+25 bps$3,630+50 bps$3,711+75 bps
Full scenario table
-50 bps
6.30%
$3,314/mo
-$157/mo
-$46,963 total interest
-25 bps
6.55%
$3,392/mo
-$79/mo
-$23,606 total interest
Today
6.80%
$3,470/mo
$0/mo
$0 total interest
+25 bps
7.05%
$3,550/mo
+$79/mo
+$23,850 total interest
+50 bps
7.30%
$3,630/mo
+$160/mo
+$47,939 total interest
+75 bps
7.55%
$3,711/mo
+$241/mo
+$72,262 total interest
$79 per 25 bps move
Each 0.25% RBA move shifts your monthly repayment by about $79 ($954 per year). Held for the remaining 25 years, that adds up to $23,850 of interest per 0.25%. Your lender decides whether to pass on each move and when it takes effect.

How it works

When the RBA moves the cash rate, a variable home loan usually follows. This tool works out what each 0.25% move up or down - from a 0.50% cut to a 0.75% rise - does to your repayment, your yearly costs and the interest over the rest of your loan, assuming your lender passes the move on in full.

  1. 1Enter your current loan details
  2. 2Select your rate type
  3. 3See the repayment at each rate move
  4. 4Check the RBA rate tracker to see what your lender actually did after the last decision

The figures today

As of 7 November 2026, the lowest variable home loan rate is 5.93%, from SCCU's BROKER HOME LOAN, while the typical best across 104 institutions is 6.38%. The lowest 3-year fixed home loan rate is 6.24%, from Credit Union SA's 3-Year Fixed 40 Year Home Loan Package, while the typical best across 80 institutions is 6.69%. The RBA cash rate is 4.85%. Those are for an owner-occupier paying principal and interest at an 80% LVR.

Home loan rates todayWho passed on the last RBA move

Worked examples

0.25% Rate Rise Impact

The Patels have a $580,000 variable loan at 6.2%. RBA raises by 0.25%.

Current loan balance
$580,000
Current interest rate
6.2%
Rate type
Variable
Remaining loan term (years)
27

The monthly repayment rises by $92, from $3,692 to $3,784 - $1,102 a year. If the rate stayed there for the remaining 27 years, that adds up to about $29,800 more interest.

Rate Cut Benefit

Jenny has a $420,000 variable loan at 6.5%. RBA cuts by 0.25%.

Current loan balance
$420,000
Current interest rate
6.5%
Rate type
Variable
Remaining loan term (years)
22

The monthly repayment falls by $63, from $2,994 to $2,931. If Jenny keeps paying $2,994, the loan is paid off about 11 months earlier.

Questions people ask

When does my rate change after an RBA announcement?
Each lender decides whether to pass on a move and when it takes effect. After the 30 September 2026 rise, most lenders' new variable rates took effect one to two weeks after the announcement - our RBA rate tracker shows which lenders moved and when. Fixed rates don't change during the fixed period.
Do lenders always pass on the full rate change?
Not always. Each lender sets its own variable rates, and some pass on less or more than the RBA's move, or move later. Our RBA rate tracker reads every lender's published rates after each decision, so you can check what yours did.

The terms, in plain English

Cash Rate
The interest rate the RBA targets for overnight loans between banks, which lenders' variable rates follow. Set at the RBA Monetary Policy Board's eight meetings a year.
Basis Point
One hundredth of a percentage point. A 0.25% rate change equals 25 basis points.
Forward Guidance
Signals from the RBA about likely future rate decisions. Found in meeting statements and governor speeches.

Official sources

Fixed vs Variable Analysis

Consider locking in a fixed rate for protection against rises.

Should You Refinance?

Use rate changes as a trigger to review your loan.

Stress Test Your Loan

See if you can handle further rate increases.