The Teamwork Finance Update - July 2026

The Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate at 4.35% at its June meeting, and for the first time in this tightening cycle, most of the big four banks now believe rates have peaked. CBA, ANZ and NAB are all forecasting the cash rate to stay on hold at 4.35% through the rest of 2026, with NAB going a step further and flagging a possible first rate cut in early 2027. Westpac remains the outlier, still expecting two more increases this year. The next RBA decision is due on 11 August 2026, and while a hold is the most likely outcome, we'll keep a close eye on the data in the lead-up.

The new financial year brought a handful of changes worth knowing about for business owners and the self-employed. Payday Super is now in effect, meaning employers must pay superannuation on the same day as wages rather than quarterly — a shift that's worth checking against your payroll and cash flow setup. The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House also closed its doors on 1 July 2026, so anyone who relied on it for staff super will need a new payment method going forward. Separately, Australia's Consumer Data Right is extending to non-bank lenders from 13 July 2026, which should make it easier over time to compare bank and non-bank finance options side by side.

On the property front, the Gold Coast market is showing its first real signs of cooling after several strong years. National dwelling values dipped -0.4% in June — the first month-on-month fall recorded in 2026 — according to Cotality data, and while the Gold Coast median house price still sits around $1.17 million (second only to Sydney nationally), the pace of growth has clearly slowed. Supply at the top end remains tight, with new apartment completions expected to fall from around 1,900 units in 2025 to just 1,400 in 2026, which is likely to keep some upward pressure on unit prices even as houses ease.

For buyers who've been waiting for less competitive conditions, a softer market can be a genuine opportunity — particularly for those who get their finance pre-approved and ready to move. If you'd like to talk through what any of this means for your situation, whether that's a home loan review, a business finance question, or a property purchase you're considering, Teamwork Finance is here to help. This information is general in nature only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice — please seek independent advice for your own circumstances.