Refinancing remained at record highs in October

Media Release
Released
2/12/2022

The value of total new loan commitments for housing fell 2.7 per cent in October 2022 (seasonally adjusted), while the value of owner-occupier refinancing between lenders fell 1.3 per cent, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Katherine Keenan, ABS Finance and Wealth Spokesperson, said: “Despite the October fall, monthly owner-occupier refinancing between lenders has remained above $12 billion since June 2022, well above pre-pandemic values. Investor refinancing activity has also remained high.

"The RBA cash rate increased 225 basis points between June and October 2022, which coincided with a greater number of borrowers seeking loans with lower interest rates from competing lenders.”

Ms Keenan said: “The value of new owner-occupier loan commitments fell 2.9 per cent in October, while the value of new investor loan commitments fell 2.2 per cent. This month’s fall continued the decline from record high levels seen earlier this year, although commitments remain above pre-pandemic levels.”

The number of new loan commitments to owner-occupier first home buyers fell 3.2 per cent in October 2022, after a revised fall of 4.0 per cent in September. First home buyer loans in October were 47 per cent below the January 2021 peak and similar to 2019 levels.

  Aus *NSWVicQldSAWATasNTACT
Owner-occupiers          
 Value ($b) :17.25.35.13.21.01.80.30.10.4
 Value % change ** :-2.9-3.4-2.1-3.3-3.21.5-5.6-3.0-10.5
Owner-occupier first home buyers          
 Number % change ** :-3.2-1.7-4.1-1.3-1.90.0-14.6 †-8.1-2.3
Investors          
 Value % change ** :-2.2-0.1-1.1-7.8-3.0-0.9-0.21.62.6

* Total Australia levels do not necessarily equal the sum of states, due to independent seasonal adjustment

** All movements are on a month-to-month basis

† A smaller and more volatile series

Personal Finance

The value of new loan commitments for fixed term personal finance fell 0.5 per cent in October 2022. This was driven by a 3.8 per cent fall in lending for the purchase of road vehicles.

More information is available in Lending Indicators, Australia.

Media notes

  • Month-on-month movements are noted above in percentage terms but, where contrasted against each other, ordered in largest to smallest value terms (e.g. state and territory movements).

  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.

  • For media requests and interviews, contact the ABS Media Team via media@abs.gov.au between 8:30am and 5pm AEDT Monday to Friday.

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