What happened
Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed total new housing loan settlements fell 5 per cent to $97.6 billion in the June 2026 quarter. This second consecutive quarterly drop was led by property investors, whose new lending fell $4.2 billion or 10 per cent to $37.1 billion, while owner-occupier lending declined 2 per cent to $60.5 billion.
Why it matters here
Property investors are retreating in response to cumulative rate hikes and tax policy shifts, reducing overall mortgage momentum nationwide. For Australian residential property investors, tighter borrowing capacity and softer demand signals reduced capital growth upside across major metropolitan markets over the near term.
What to watch
The next quarterly ABS lending indicator dataset to determine whether owner-occupier and investor mortgage commitments continue contracting under tight credit conditions.
Source
canstar.com.au