Australia’s private sector credit increased by 0.7% month-on-month in March 2026, coming in slightly above market expectations and February’s 0.6% rise. This pointed to a gradual improvement in lending activity, with personal credit rising further (0.6% vs 0.4% in February), while growth in housing and business credit remained steady at 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively. On a yearly basis, private sector credit rose by 8.1% in March, the largest increase since November 2022, following a 7.8% growth in the previous month. The increase came despite still-elevated borrowing costs, as the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1% in March, following a similar hike in February. source: Reserve Bank of Australia

Private Sector Credit in Australia increased to 0.70 percent in March from 0.60 percent in February of 2026. Private Sector Credit in Australia averaged 0.81 percent from 1976 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 2.90 percent in July of 1986 and a record low of -0.50 percent in July of 1992. This page provides the latest reported value for - Australia Private Sector Credit - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Australia Private Sector Credit - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Private Sector Credit in Australia increased to 0.70 percent in March from 0.60 percent in February of 2026. Private Sector Credit in Australia is expected to be 0.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Private Sector Credit is projected to trend around 0.50 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-31 12:30 AM
Private Sector Credit MoM
Feb 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6%
2026-04-30 01:30 AM
Private Sector Credit MoM
Mar 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%
2026-05-29 01:30 AM
Private Sector Credit MoM
Apr 0.7% 0.6%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 10.51 10.51 percent Apr 2026
Consumer Credit 2522.64 2508.16 AUD Billion Mar 2026
Housing Credit MoM 0.60 0.60 percent Mar 2026
Private Sector Credit MoM 0.70 0.60 percent Mar 2026


Australia Private Sector Credit
In Australia, private sector credit refers to the month-over-month change of credit extended to the economy's private sector for housing, personal and business expenditures. It includes securitizations.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
0.70 0.60 2.90 -0.50 1976 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Australia Private Credit Rises Slightly More than Expected
Australia’s private sector credit increased by 0.7% month-on-month in March 2026, coming in slightly above market expectations and February’s 0.6% rise. This pointed to a gradual improvement in lending activity, with personal credit rising further (0.6% vs 0.4% in February), while growth in housing and business credit remained steady at 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively. On a yearly basis, private sector credit rose by 8.1% in March, the largest increase since November 2022, following a 7.8% growth in the previous month. The increase came despite still-elevated borrowing costs, as the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1% in March, following a similar hike in February.
2026-04-30
Australia Private Credit Growth Slightly Picks Up
Australia’s private sector credit rose by 0.6% month-on-month in February 2026, slightly picking up from a ten-month low of 0.5% gain in the previous month and in line with market expectations. The uptick highlights improved lending activity across key segments of the economy, particularly in personal credit (0.4% vs 0.2% in January) and business credit (0.8% vs 0.5%). In contrast, housing credit remained steady at 0.6%. The modest acceleration came despite still-elevated borrowing costs, with the Reserve Bank of Australia raising its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1% at its March 2026 meeting, following a hike in February. On a yearly basis, private sector credit marginally increased to 7.8% from 7.7% in January 2026.
2026-03-31
Australia Private Credit Growth at 10-Month Low
Australia’s private sector credit rose 0.5% month-on-month in January 2026, missing market expectations of 0.7% and slowing from 0.8% gain in the previous month. It marked the softest increase since last March, as credit growth eased across most components, including housing (0.6% vs 0.7% in December), business (0.5% vs 1.0%), and personal credit (0.2% vs 0.5%). The moderation likely reflected still-elevated borrowing costs and cautious lending conditions, which continued to weigh on loan demand from households and firms. On an annual basis, private credit expanded 7.7%, holding steady for a second straight month and remaining at the fastest pace in five years.
2026-02-27