Why you may have to wait to benefit from the interest rate cut
The RBA cut the official cash rate by 0.25 percentage points on August 12 to 3.6 per cent, bringing relief to many mortgageholders.
But while many of the major banks have passed on the rate cut, borrowers won't necessarily see their repayments drop immediuately.
Research by money.com.au says that if even if a bank passes on the rate cut as most lenders won't adjust repayments until the start of your next monthly billing cycle.
For example, if your billing cycle starts on the 15th, your lower repayments won't take effect until September 15 — despite your rate dropping on a date prior to that.
In short, your interest starts falling straight away, but your actual repayment amount might not change for a few weeks.
Money.com.au's mortgage expert Debbie Hays said the key to understanding when your repayments will reduce comes down to knowing how your billing cycle works.
'Mortgage interest is calculated daily but charged monthly in arrears,' Hays said.
'In other words, your lender calculates your interest and repayments based on the balance of your loan and the interest rate over the past 30 days, which is why changes to repayments don't take effect immediately after a rate cut.
'Even if you make your mortgage repayments weekly or fortnightly, most lenders still operate on a monthly billing cycle.
'If you're unsure when your billing cycle starts, check your home loan statements for the date your interest balance is applied.'
But Hay said that while some lenders automatically reduce your mortgage repayments when they pass on a rate cut, others require you to contact them to request the adjustment.
Understanding your mortgage billing cycle
Your billing cycle is usually tied to your loan settlement date.
So, if your loan was settled on the 15th of X month — your billing cycle likely starts on the 15th of each month moving forward.
This cycle determines when interest is calculated and applied to your loan, as well as when your repayments are due.
Even if you pay weekly or fortnightly, your lender still tracks interest and repayment schedules based on this monthly cycle — which is why changes like rate cuts may not immediately show up in your repayment amount until the next cycle begins.
How much homeowners will save with the August rate cut
A borrower with a $600,000 mortgage will save an additional $90 per month from the August rate cut, bringing total monthly savings to $273 since the RBA began lowering rates.
For a $1 million mortgage, the August cut alone will reduce repayments by $150 per month, with total monthly savings reaching $456 since the start of the cutting cycle.
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