No Credit Check :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

The Real Story of Mortgage Stress: Unveiling the Hidden Risks

The Real Story of Mortgage Stress: Unveiling the Hidden Risks

The Real Story of Mortgage Stress: Unveiling the Hidden Risks?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

RBA governor Michele Bullock recently addressed the nation, downplaying the concerns about Australian mortgage stress.
In her maiden speech, she emphasized that only a small percentage of variable rate mortgage borrowers, around 5%, have expenses surpassing their incomes.
However, digging deeper reveals a different story.

The Discrepancy of Highly Leveraged Borrowers

Bullock acknowledged that the pressure on indebted households varies significantly depending on the level of leverage. Surprisingly, approximately 25% of highly leveraged borrowers with loans exceeding four times their income face the challenge of paying more for essential expenses and housing than what they receive in income.

This indicates that the situation is far more severe for a specific group of borrowers than for those with more modest levels of debt.

The Limitations of the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM)

It's important to note that the RBA used the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) to downplay the severity of the situation. The HEM is a measure that reflects the median spend on absolute basics and the 25th percentile spend on discretionary basics, excluding rents and mortgage payments.

However, the HEM is based on the most basic standard of living and doesn't accurately represent households with mortgages. Moreover, it assumes that households have no other debts, which is often unrealistic.

In fact, the latest RBA Financial Stability Review estimated that 13% of variable rate borrowers experience a cost of living that exceeds their incomes when considering additional expenses like private health insurance and school fees.

The Unavoidable Impact of Fixed Rate Mortgage Resets

Despite the RBA's efforts to keep the cash rate on hold, Australia's fixed rate mortgage reset process is still ongoing and will continue until mid-2024. Consequently, average mortgage repayments will continue to rise across the country.

With Wednesday's CPI inflation data announcing higher-than-expected figures, the possibility of the RBA maintaining the cash rate at its current level seems unlikely. Further rate hikes could push more households underwater, exacerbating the mortgage stress situation.

The Ominous Cloud of Rising Unemployment

Undoubtedly, the biggest risk to Australian households is the steady rise in unemployment. Australia's record immigration numbers impose a demand of around 37,000 new jobs every month just to stabilize the unemployment rate, assuming a constant participation rate.

However, even if job growth slows down to the pre-pandemic average of 22,000 new jobs per month, Australia's unemployment rate could surpass 5% within a year, as indicated by independent economist Tarric Brooker's analysis.

When combined with the potential for further mortgage rate increases, the rising unemployment rate poses a grave threat to numerous Australian households already burdened by mortgage debt. The risk of financial distress looms large.

Published:Friday, 27th Oct 2023
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Finance News

AFIA Unveils New Code to Elevate Non-Bank Lending Standards
AFIA Unveils New Code to Elevate Non-Bank Lending Standards
06 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori
The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has recently introduced its Finance Industry Code of Practice, marking a significant advancement in the non-bank lending and specialist banking sectors. This pioneering initiative aims to establish a new standard for integrity, transparency, and fairness within the industry. - read more
Australia's Housing Boom: A Golden Opportunity for Mortgage Brokers
Australia's Housing Boom: A Golden Opportunity for Mortgage Brokers
06 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori
Australia is currently experiencing a housing 'super cycle,' characterised by a substantial increase in demand for new homes. This surge is driven by a chronic undersupply of housing, demographic shifts, and evolving lifestyle preferences. For mortgage brokers, this trend presents a unique opportunity to expand their client base and services. Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check! - read more
Moneytech and Xero Collaboration Simplifies Financing for Australian SMEs
Moneytech and Xero Collaboration Simplifies Financing for Australian SMEs
06 Nov 2025: Paige Estritori
Australian non-bank lender Moneytech has announced a strategic integration with Xero, the global small business accounting platform. This partnership aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a more efficient and streamlined process for accessing working capital. - read more
RBA Weighs Additional Rate Cuts in Response to Economic Indicators
RBA Weighs Additional Rate Cuts in Response to Economic Indicators
29 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is currently assessing whether further reductions in interest rates are necessary, following recent economic data indicating increased consumer spending and persistent inflation in certain sectors. This evaluation comes after the RBA's decision to hold the cash rate steady at 3.60% in September, subsequent to three cuts earlier in the year. - read more
Federal Court Halts Cigno Australia's Unlicensed Lending Operations
Federal Court Halts Cigno Australia's Unlicensed Lending Operations
29 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
The Federal Court of Australia has issued permanent injunctions against Cigno Australia Pty Ltd and BSF Solutions Pty Ltd, preventing them from engaging in unlicensed credit activities and charging prohibited fees. This ruling follows findings that, between July 2022 and October 2023, the companies provided loans totaling $34 million to over 100,000 consumers, while charging fees exceeding $70 million, all without holding an Australian Credit Licence. - read more
Investment Boom in Battery Storage as Australia Accelerates Renewable Energy Goals
Investment Boom in Battery Storage as Australia Accelerates Renewable Energy Goals
29 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
Australia is experiencing a surge in investments in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as the nation aggressively pursues its goal of achieving 82% renewable energy by 2030. This transition, driven by rapid expansion of solar and wind infrastructure and the closure of coal plants, has created a growing demand for flexible energy storage solutions. - read more
Surge in Investor Lending Pushes Australian Mortgages to Eight-Year Peak
Surge in Investor Lending Pushes Australian Mortgages to Eight-Year Peak
21 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
Recent data reveals a significant resurgence in property investor activity within Australia's mortgage market. In the three months leading up to June 2025, investor loans accounted for 38% of new mortgages, marking the highest proportion since 2017. This uptick translates to nearly 50,000 loans valued at approximately $33 billion. - read more
RBA's October 2025 Review Affirms Australia's Financial System Resilience
RBA's October 2025 Review Affirms Australia's Financial System Resilience
21 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has released its October 2025 Financial Stability Review, providing a comprehensive assessment of the nation's financial health. The report concludes that Australia's financial system remains well-positioned to navigate the current global economic uncertainties. - read more
ANZ Bank Announces Significant Workforce Reduction by 2026
ANZ Bank Announces Significant Workforce Reduction by 2026
13 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
In a strategic move to streamline operations, ANZ Bank has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 3,500 employees by September 2026. This decision is part of the bank's broader initiative to enhance operational efficiency and reduce redundancy within its organisational structure. - read more
Commonwealth Bank Achieves Record Profit Amidst Lending Surge
Commonwealth Bank Achieves Record Profit Amidst Lending Surge
13 Oct 2025: Paige Estritori
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has reported a record full-year cash profit of A$10.25 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This impressive financial performance is attributed to robust growth in both home and business lending sectors. - read more


Finance Articles

Understanding Soft Inquiries: How to Check Loan Options Without Affecting Your Credit Score
Understanding Soft Inquiries: How to Check Loan Options Without Affecting Your Credit Score
Soft inquiries are a type of credit check that does not impact your credit score. These checks occur when you or a company reviews your credit report as part of a background check, pre-approval process, or other non-lending purpose. - read more
Savvy Spending: Innovative Budgeting Tips for Smooth Loan Repayments
Savvy Spending: Innovative Budgeting Tips for Smooth Loan Repayments
Managing personal finances judiciously becomes paramount when dealing with loans and their repayments. A potential obstacle many encounter is preserving or enhancing their credit score while simultaneously undertaking the necessary financial commitments of loan repayments. Understanding how to navigate this terrain is vital to financial health. - read more
How to Improve Your Financial Health and Secure Loans Effortlessly
How to Improve Your Financial Health and Secure Loans Effortlessly
Financial health refers to the state of one's personal financial situation. It encompasses a variety of factors, such as income stability, expenses control, savings, investments, and debt management. - read more
Navigating Financial Uncertainty: Tips for Managing Money Worries
Navigating Financial Uncertainty: Tips for Managing Money Worries
Financial stress is a common issue that affects a large portion of individuals, often due to unexpected expenses, unemployment, or a high cost of living. It can lead to both mental and emotional strain, influencing one's quality of life and decision-making abilities. Credit scores, a critical measurement of financial health, are used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money. - read more
Top 5 Mistakes That Damage Your Credit Score and How to Avoid Them
Top 5 Mistakes That Damage Your Credit Score and How to Avoid Them
Maintaining a healthy credit score is crucial for anyone looking to secure their financial future. A good credit score can open doors to better loan rates, more favourable credit card terms, and even housing opportunities. It's something that impacts many major financial decisions you make in life. Without a solid score, you might end up paying more in interest and find it harder to get approval for the things you really need. - read more
Understanding Soft Credit Checks: Safeguard Your Score During Loan Comparison
Understanding Soft Credit Checks: Safeguard Your Score During Loan Comparison
When embarking on the journey to secure financing, particularly for significant purchases such as a car, your credit score takes center stage in the eyes of lenders. A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, derived from your financial history and behaviors. It wields substantial influence on your ability to acquire loans with favorable terms. - read more
Effective Debt Management Tips for Young Adults
Effective Debt Management Tips for Young Adults
Managing debt effectively is crucial for young adults, especially as they start building their financial independence. Understanding how to manage debt properly can help you avoid financial pitfalls and set you up for a stable future. - read more
Steps to Take Immediately During a Financial Crisis: A Credit-Friendly Approach
Steps to Take Immediately During a Financial Crisis: A Credit-Friendly Approach
A financial crisis can come in many forms, such as a job loss, unexpected medical bills, or an economic downturn. These events can drastically alter your financial stability and may lead to financial distress. - read more
The Importance of an Emergency Fund: A Guide for Families
The Importance of an Emergency Fund: A Guide for Families
Let's dive into the essential topic of emergency funds. An emergency fund is a stash of money set aside to cover the financial surprises life throws your way. These unexpected events can include sudden unplanned repairs, medical emergencies, or job loss. - read more
Understanding Your Credit File: How to Seek Loans without Negative Impacts
Understanding Your Credit File: How to Seek Loans without Negative Impacts
Understanding financial health is paramount when venturing into the realm of loan acquisition. It's the backbone that supports not just your immediate monetary requirements but ensures longevity in your fiscal stability. At the heart of this understanding lies a critical aspect: the credit score. It's a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness, influenced by past fiscal decisions and behaviors. - read more


Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!
Loan Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free and without obligation by a specialist from our national broker referral panel. See our privacy statement for more details.

All finance quotes are provided free and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Subprime Loan:
A type of loan offered to individuals with poor credit scores, typically at a higher interest rate.


Quick Links: | No Credit Check Loans | Personal Loans No Credit Check | Bad Credit Loans | Business Loans No Credit Check | Fast Cash Loans Australia | Unsecured Loans | Guaranteed Approval Loans | Short Term Loans | Emergency Loans | Same Day Loans