This decision signals a period of cautious stability for Australian housing markets.
Headline inflation has eased to 4.2% in April 2026, down from 4.6% in March, while trimmed mean inflation rose marginally to 3.4% from 3.3%. Both measures remain above the RBA's 2-3% target range. The RBA noted that disruption to global oil supply is directly adding to inflation and has been passing through to prices of other goods and services.
The rate hold brings relief to homeowners facing cost-of-living pressures and provides prospective buyers an opportunity to assess the market from a position of relative stability. First-home buyers can more accurately evaluate borrowing capacity and make purchasing decisions without several market factors shifting simultaneously.
Despite near-term headwinds from softening year-on-year sale price growth and auction clearance rates in some locations, JLL remains confident in the fundamental drivers supporting Australia's housing markets. Population growth and chronic supply shortages across major cities ensure that housing demand consistently outpaces supply, underpinning long-term value.
