Empower Blog Interest Rate Announcement

RBA Nov 2026 | The Real Scare is Closer to Home

⚠️ Rise: The RBA has raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.85%, its fifth increase this year and the highest level since late 2008. Halloween might be over, but Australia's economic challenges are far from disappearing. While global conflicts and rising energy prices are grabbing headlines, there's a much bigger problem brewing closer to...

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(LIVE) RBA Sep 2026 | Rates Hit a 15-Year High. What Happens Next?

The Reserve Bank raised the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.60% this afternoon — the highest level in 15 years, and the fourth increase this year. The decision was unanimous. And the statement that came with it made clear the Board doesn't consider the job done. The RBA told us this was coming What made today unusual wasn't the decision. I...

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(LIVE) RBA Aug 2026 | Hold Today, Hike Tomorrow?

The Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% at its August meeting, in line with what all four major banks had forecast. The decision itself wasn't the surprise. What matters more is what came with it — and on that front, the Board was considerably more direct than a routine hold might suggest. The decision was unanimous There was ...

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(LIVE) RBA June 2026 | Pause, Peak… or More Pain Ahead?

The RBA has held the cash rate at 4.35% — the first pause after three consecutive hikes this year. But the Board's statement made it clear that the tightening cycle is not necessarily over. What Happened Today? The RBA left the cash rate unchanged for the first time in 2026, responding to signs that the trio of earlier hikes are beginning ...

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(LIVE) RBA May 2026 | Why This May Not Be the Last Rate Hike

In its May meeting, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.35%, marking the third consecutive rate hike this year. Unlike March’s narrow 5–4 split, this latest decision was passed 8–1 in favour of the hike — a clear signal that the Board is increasingly concerned about inflation and may not be finished yet. Adding to the...

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(LIVE) RBA Mar 2026 | Inflation Fears Win in Close Call Vote

Australia's economic story has taken a decisive turn in early 2026. In its March meeting, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.10%, marking the second consecutive hike this year — and one of the most closely contested decisions since board voting transparency was introduced. In a narrow five-to-four split, the Board determin...

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(LIVE) RBA Feb 2026 | RBA Reverses Course After Inflation Surges

Australia’s economic story has taken a sharp turn to start the new year. In its first meeting of 2026, the Reserve Bank has lifted the cash rate by 0.25%, reversing part of last year’s rate cuts and signalling that inflationary pressures are now too strong — and too broad — to ignore. In this month’s LIVE RBA & Economic Update,...

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(LIVE) RBA Dec 2025 | Families Feeling the Pinch as Optimism Fades? 

As 2025 draws to a close, Australia’s economic landscape remains anything but settled. In the final RBA call of the year, the cash rate was held steady — but the tone of the statement made it clear that the Board is now “live” in both directions. That means rate cuts aren’t guaranteed… and neither are rate hikes off the table. In...

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RBA Nov 2025 | Stagflation Risk Emerges as Confidence Drops

The Reserve Bank of Australia has just made its November 2025 cash rate announcement, and the decision lands amid a whirlwind of competing economic signals. In this latest RBA and Economic Update, Empower Wealth’s Ben Kingsley and resident economist Evan Lucas dive deep into what’s really driving the headlines… from inflation and interest...

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(LIVE) RBA Sep 2025 | Is the Property Boom Back? Animal Spirits Are Stirring…

At 2:30pm AEST on 30th September 2025, the Reserve Bank of Australia delivered their latest cash rate decision—and as always, we went LIVE to unpack it all.  Hosted by our very own Ben Kingsley and resident economist Evan Lucas, the session covered far more than just the rate call itself. We explored the many factors shaping the RBA’s ...

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(LIVE) RBA Aug 2025 | 25 vs 50 Basis Points Cut

The Reserve Bank has just handed down its August cash rate decision, and it’s sparking debate.  Some were tipping a bigger move… others thought they might hold. So, what did they actually do?  In this LIVE reaction, Ben breaks down:  The possible reasoning behind the RBA’s latest decision How the markets are respo...

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From Wall Street to Your Street: August Economic Insights

As the Reserve Bank prepares to deliver its latest cash rate decision this afternoon, the big question is: what’s the state of the economy right now?  From shifts on Wall Street to policy moves in Beijing, here’s what’s influencing the road ahead and why it matters for you:  The latest on the US economy, including the impact...

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(LIVE) RBA July 2025 | Will Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Affect Our Rate Path?

In a surprising move, the RBA chose to hold interest rates steady this month despite widespread expectations of a cut.  As always, our very own Ben Kingsley and economist Evan Lucas are back to unpack what this decision means.  What’s behind the RBA’s thinking? What’s happening with inflation, employment, and business confide...

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