26 Mar
In the past fortnight, we’ve seen a series of signals that, taken together, paint a very clear picture – we’re entering a more uncertain, more complex phase of the economic cycle.
Interest rates are rising again.
Energy prices are climbing.
And consumer confidence is starting to shift.
This week, I sat down with Cameron Kusher for a special episode of Behind the Numbers to unpack what’s happening – and what to watch next.
We’re also sharing the latest insights from RISE, one of our key strategic partners, including new data on industry wellbeing and the announcement of their new Board members.
What the latest economic data is telling us
The recent RBA decision (a rare 5 to 4 split) highlights just how finely balanced things are right now.
It’s not a question of whether rates should rise, but when.
The data is pointing to a few clear themes:
- Inflation remains above target and largely domestically driven
- Markets are pricing in up to three more rate rises this year
- Interest rates could reach their highest level in over a decade
- Borrowing capacity is already down approx. 5% with more pressure to come
In short: we’re no longer managing a single issue, but multiple pressures, all moving at once.
What this means for the market
The impact is already starting to show.
Consumer sentiment is expected to weaken as households absorb higher interest rates and rising costs.
In property, early indicators are shifting and we’re already seeing lower auction clearance rates, fewer active buyers and early price moderation in Sydney and Melbourne
At the same time, borrowing capacity continues to tighten, reducing what buyers can afford and placing pressure on pricing.
Overlay this with a labour market that is beginning to soften, and we arrive at an important reality – this slowdown isn’t accidental, it’s part of how inflation is brought under control.
The challenge now is how far that slowdown will go.
Between now and the next RBA decision, there are a few key indicators worth watching closely:
- household spending
- consumer sentiment
- property market activity (clearance rates, listings, days on market)
- Business confidence and investment
These will determine whether we remain in a controlled slowdown or move into something sharper.
To dig deeper into what the data is telling us – and prepare for what’s next – listen to our special Behind the Numbers podcast.
RISE: Real care by numbers
Throughout our partnership with RISE, we’ve seen strong and growing engagement with industry wellbeing support.
Recent data shows:
- 13,152 all-time downloads
- 367 downloads in February 2026 (up 417% month-on-month)
- 553 active users (up 74%)
- 814 total sessions (up 78%)
At the same time, the data highlights the scale of the challenge:
- 67% of real estate professionals report experiencing mental health challenges
- The industry continues to rank amongst the highest risk sectors for mental wellbeing
RISE is now supporting professionals across every major Australian state, with strong growth in Victoria.
This is important progress, and a reminder of the role industry-wide support continues to play.
We also congratulate RISE on the appointment of their new Board members:
- Adrian Knowles, CEO, Harcourts Australia
- Hayley Van de Ven, CEO, Limitless Group
- Hannah Gill, Deputy President, REIA
“My ambition throughout my career has been to leave a mark on the industry for the better. My current position allows me to do this and joining the RISE board is an opportunity to help shift the industry for the better”.
– Adrian Knowles, CEO, Harcourts Australia
We look forward to continuing our work alongside RISE as they build on this momentum.
We’re in a period where economic, structural and human factors are converging.
Understanding what’s happening is critical, but so is recognising the impact it’s having across the industry.
As always, we’ll continue to bring you the insights that matter.
Until next time,
Stay connected.
Sadhana Smiles
CEO, Real Estate Industry Partners
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