Australian Home Loan Statistics 2026
Australians took out $103.0 billion in new home loans in the March quarter 2026, with the average new owner-occupier loan at $735,000, a record $42.9 billion refinanced to a new lender, and the RBA cash rate at 4.35%. Here are the latest lending figures, loan sizes and live rates for the Australian mortgage market.
How big is the Australian home loan market?
Australians committed to $103.0 billion in new housing loans in the March quarter 2026, according to the ABS Lending Indicators released 13 May 2026. Owner-occupiers made up $61.4 billion of that and investors $41.5 billion. New lending eased over the quarter, the number of new commitments fell 6.2% and the value fell 3.8% (seasonally adjusted), after strong growth through 2025.
What is the average home loan size in Australia?
The average new owner-occupier home loan is $735,000, and the average new first-home-buyer loan is $614,048 (up 1.1% over the quarter). Across all borrowers, the average new loan is $724,415, about 9.0% higher than a year earlier (ABS Lending Indicators, March quarter 2026). Loan sizes have climbed largely in step with property prices. On a loan of that size, even a small difference in rate changes your repayments by thousands over the life of the loan, which is where comparing lenders pays off.
Owner-occupier vs investor lending
Of the $103.0 billion in new home lending in the March quarter 2026, $61.4 billion went to owner-occupiers and $41.5 billion to investors (ABS Lending Indicators). Investor lending has been growing faster than owner-occupier lending through the year, a trend worth watching given the 2026 tax-reform discussion.
How many Australians are refinancing?
Refinancing is running at record levels. Owner-occupiers switched $42.9 billion of loans to a new lender in the March quarter 2026, across 66,617 loans and up 8.7% on a year earlier (ABS Lending Indicators, seasonally adjusted). Even as new lending eased, borrowers kept switching to manage higher repayments, which is exactly the moment comparing 85+ lenders in one place pays off.
Current cash rate and average home loan rate
The RBA cash rate is 4.35% as at July 2026. Across the 85+ lenders Ratesniffers tracks, the average owner-occupier variable rate is 6.17% and the lowest is 5.89%. The cash rate anchors variable rates, so when the RBA moves, most lenders pass the change through within weeks.
Market figures sourced from the ABS Lending Indicators, March quarter 2026 (released 13 May 2026). Cash rate sourced from the RBA; average and lowest rates from the Ratesniffers daily index, updated 10 July 2026. General information only.
Home loan statistics FAQ
How much do Australians borrow in new home loans?
Australians took out $103.0 billion in new housing loan commitments in the March quarter 2026, according to the ABS Lending Indicators. That was made up of $61.4 billion in owner-occupier lending and $41.5 billion in investor lending. The number of new commitments fell 6.2% on the previous quarter (seasonally adjusted).
What is the average home loan size in Australia?
The average new owner-occupier home loan is $735,000, the average new first-home-buyer loan is $614,048, and across all borrowers the average new loan is $724,415, about 9.0% higher than a year earlier (ABS Lending Indicators, March quarter 2026). Loan sizes have risen largely with property prices.
How much of Australian home lending goes to investors?
Of the $103.0 billion in new home lending in the March quarter 2026, investors accounted for $41.5 billion and owner-occupiers $61.4 billion (ABS Lending Indicators). Investor lending has been growing faster than owner-occupier lending through the year.
How many Australians are refinancing their home loan?
Owner-occupiers refinanced $42.9 billion of loans to a new lender in the March quarter 2026, a record, across 66,617 loans and up 8.7% on a year earlier (ABS Lending Indicators, seasonally adjusted). Refinancing has stayed high as borrowers switch to manage higher rates.
What is the current RBA cash rate?
The RBA cash rate is 4.35% as at July 2026. The cash rate anchors variable home loan rates; across the lenders Ratesniffers tracks the average owner-occupier variable rate is 6.17%.
Compare rates against the market
The averages above are the market; see where the sharpest rates actually sit, refreshed daily.