RBA tipped to cut rates, but only one in ten are reducing repayments

Despite cost of living pressures Australian borrowers are opting to get ahead on their home loans, rather than taking the option to take a cut in their repayments.

Australia’s biggest lender, the Commonwealth Bank, has reported that only 10 per cent of eligible home loan customers chose to reduce their mortgage direct debit repayments following the May interest rate cut.

The announcement comes just one day ahead of the next meeting of the Reserve Bank, to decide the cash rate.

All of the big four banks and major economists are pointing to a rate cut bringing the cash rate down to 3.6 per cent.

“One in ten eligible customers opted to lower their home loan repayments after the May rate cut, which is really similar to what we saw following February’s cut,” said Commbank Home Buying General Manager Tess Sutherland.

“It shows only a small percentage of customers are freeing up their cash, while most are maintaining higher repayments to get ahead on their loans.”

Across the February and May rate cuts, the combined 0.50 per cent per annum rate reduction could have delivered savings of around $160 a month for those making principal and interest repayments on an average loan size of $500,000.

Of those who chose to reduce their repayments, 39 per cent came from New South Wales, the largest group, ahead of Victoria with 31 per cent.

“In a state like NSW, where property prices are the highest in the country, it makes sense more customers are choosing to ease financial pressure by adjusting their repayments. It’s a practical way to create breathing room in the budget.”

“We also found that those in their thirties and forties were the most likely age group to reduce their repayments - perhaps not surprising, given many in this cohort may be juggling school-aged kids and high household costs,” said Ms Sutherland.

Home loan tactics: take the cut or continue to pay top dollar

With the RBA expected to bring down their third rate cut for this year tomorrow, savings can be made.

If lenders pass it on in full, borrowers with a $600k mortgage could see their minimum monthly repayments fall by $90, while those on a $1 million mortgage could see their repayments drop by $150.

However, deciding to forego the cut in cash now and retaining current payments can also pay off.

According to modelling by comparison group Canstar, a borrower with a $600,000 debt and 25 years remaining who keeps their monthly repayments the same could potentially save almost $90,000 in interest over the life of their loan and pay it off four years early.

This calculation also relies on a total of four standard cash rates in 2025, as forecast by CBA and that the cash rate remains at 3.35 per cent.

Canstar data insights director, Sally Tindall, said while it’s up to the banks to hand out the rate cuts, it’s borrowers who decide what to do with them.

“Keep your repayments the same and you could save tens of thousands of dollars in interest and kick your mortgage to the curb years early,” Ms Tindall said.

If you do decide to bring down your repayments after a rate cut, it is important to check whether your bank will make the cut automatically, or if you need to request it.

Of the big four banks, only Westpac automatically lowers customers’ direct debit if it’s set to the minimum.