Sep 02, 2026 (The Australian - ABIX via COMTEX) --
A growing number of Australians are seeking to refinance their home loans to avoid falling into mortgage stress, amid fears of another interest rate rise. Data from Roy Morgan shows that the proportion of Australians who say they are 'at risk' of mortgage stress rose by 2.2 per cent to 32.5 per cent in the three months to July, which is the highest level since the global financial crisis in 2008. Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says mortgage stress has increased for six months in a row, while official interest rates have increased three times so far in 2026, housing prices are falling in key markets, and both full-time employment and overall employment is now lower than at the start of this year. Levine warns that mortgage stress will increase as household incomes come under further pressure..
Publication Date: 3 September 2026
ROY MORGAN LIMITED
COMTEX_491956479/2229/2026-09-02T22:54:17
By Mackenzie Scott
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