Today, CBA, NAB, and ANZ have enacted changes to their variable interest rates for home loan customers, confirming they will fully implement the recent rate increase.

Opting for a two-year interest-only loan could reduce monthly payments by $576 for those with a $600,000 mortgage, though it ultimately adds $27,982 to the overall cost, as per Canstar’s analysis.

Similarly, extending a 25-year mortgage by an additional five years would lower monthly payments by $274, but this adjustment would lead to an added expense of over $134,000 across the life of the loan.

“These options provide short-term financial relief by lowering monthly payments significantly, but they can result in substantial long-term costs,” noted Tindall.

“Instead of committing to more years of debt, contact your bank to negotiate a better interest rate. This is an effective strategy to reduce monthly payments without escalating the total loan expense.”

Homeowners should brace themselves for potential further rate increases, as economists anticipate another rise when the Reserve Bank of Australia convenes in May.

CBA, Westpac and NAB’s cash rate outlook have all predicted a further 0.25 per cent increase in May, which would bring the cash rate to 4.10 per cent.

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