The November meeting minutes reiterated that the RBA’s central scenario is “in balance” with risks to both the downside and upside. How these risks will develop is likely to determine whether monetary policy stays on hold or rates are cut further and while it is “not yet possible to be confident” about which scenario will materialise, the Board will “remain cautious and data dependent”. With core inflation above target and ongoing signs of a recovery in demand, policy is likely to be on hold in December and into early 2026, depending on the data.
- It can “afford to be patient” as it watches the data and assesses what the implications for its estimates of spare capacity and the degree of restrictiveness. The October jobs data came out the week after the decision and were tentatively in line with the view of stronger growth supporting the labour market, and thus rates on hold.
- The discussion was centred on the outlook for policy beyond the November decision. Rates could be held at the current 3.6% if the recovery is stronger than expected. This could be driven by a better global backdrop or stronger household consumption due to higher incomes and wealth.
- Also, if inflation stays high or productivity weaker than expected, then the RBA could adjust its spare capacity estimates lower. Another factor keeping rates unchanged would be a change in the view that policy is still restrictive.
- It noted that “information received since the previous meeting had increased the probability” of the factors above occurring.
- The Board would ease if spare capacity increased driven by the labour market weakening “materially” especially in the “market sector” or growth turning out softer than expected due to cautious households.