Australia has the world’s highest rate of mortgage pain

Homeowners in Australia allocate a higher share of their income to mortgage repayments than any other developed nation, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its Global Financial Stability Report released this month, the IMF says Australian households allocated 15% of income to home loan repayments in December 2022, the highest level among all advanced economies.

Although official interest rates in Australia are slightly lower than other developed countries, we have the second highest level of household debt in the world – primarily due to high house prices – and 75% of our home loans are on variable rates. This makes Australia different to many other advanced countries where longer fixed-term home loan arrangements are the norm.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says Australians are keeping up with home loan repayments but are cutting spending in other areas to cope with higher interest rates and inflation. In a report released this month, the RBA said some homeowners were taking on extra work, or drawing down on savings buffers, to cope with the higher costs of living. “Many households continue to face a squeeze on their budgets as high inflation and the increase in interest rates over the past 18 months have reduced available income after essential expenses and housing costs. Consistent with this, consumer sentiment remains near historically low levels, particularly for owner-occupier mortgagors,” the RBA said.

Home loan repayments for most borrowers have increased by between 30 percent to 50 percent since the RBA began hiking interest rates in May 2022. “Borrowers with high debt relative to their income – including some new mortgagors and first home buyers – have been particularly affected as their scheduled loan payments relative to income have increased by a greater amount than those of other borrowers,” the RBA said.

However, very few Australians have fallen behind on their loan repayments or sought temporary loan modifications from their lenders. “In the event that more borrowers became unable to service their loans, only a very small number would be in negative equity on their mortgage. As a result, losses to lenders are expected to remain low and manageable.”

The IMF noted that supply constraints have contributed to house prices remaining above pre-pandemic levels in many countries, thereby “complicating central bank efforts to bring inflation back to target”. This is certainly the case in Australia, with the latest inflation data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday showing rents and new housing purchases, along with petrol prices, were the biggest contributors to the 1.2% rise in inflation over the September quarter.

CoreLogic Research Director Tim Lawless draws a direct correlation between the surprisingly strong rebound in home values across most markets in 2023 with the low number of homes for sale. The latest CoreLogic data shows that during the September quarter, home values grew most in Adelaide at 4.3%, Brisbane at 3.9% and Perth at 3.6%. Mr Lawless said: “The three capitals recording the highest capital gain each have advertised supply levels that are around 40% below their previous five-year average. Advertised supply levels across Hobart, where values are still trending lower, have been holding at above-average levels since June last year and were almost 40% above its five-year average.”

Most experts say the rate hiking cycle in Australia is coming to an end as inflation continues to trend down. Demand in the property market appears set to remain strong, with the usual seasonal increase in the number of homes for sale in Spring failing to put any meaningful brake on price growth. A high rate of migration over the next five years is likely to exacerbate demand, while new housing starts remain suppressed due to high construction costs and labour shortages.

Tips from RateCity to manage your mortgage

Ask your lender for a lower rate:

If you have a good credit score and always make timely repayments, your lender may not want to lose your business and might offer you an interest rate discount or perhaps waive some fees.

Refinance to reduce your interest:

If you’ve managed to build up some equity in your property, you may be in a position to refinance your home loan with another lender on a lower interest rate.

Make extra repayments to lower servicing costs:

By making extra home loan repayments on top of your obligations, you may be able to shrink your home loan principal and therefore reduce the interest charged on your mortgage.

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Australia has the world’s highest rate of mortgage pain

Australians are forced to allocate a higher percentage of income to mortgage repayments than any other developed nation

Tips from RateCity to manage your mortgage

Ask your lender for a lower rate:

Refinance to reduce your interest:

Make extra repayments to lower servicing costs:

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.