Interest rates remain at 4.35%, house prices are falling across much of Australia, and households are still feeling the cost-of-living squeeze. So, what happens next?

Westpac Chief Economist and former Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Luci Ellis joins Sylvia Jeffreys to unpack the RBA’s latest decision, what it means for mortgage holders and why Australia’s housing downturn isn’t necessarily a crash.

They examine what’s keeping inflation elevated, whether government spending is part of the problem, the complicated relationship between migration and housing affordability, and why Australia needs more skilled workers to build the homes and infrastructure we need.

In this episode:
What the RBA's latest decision means for interest rates
Why falling house prices don't necessarily mean a housing crash
Whether migration is really to blame for housing unaffordability
When interest rates could begin falling
Whether government spending and data centres are adding to inflationary pressure
Why Australia needs more skilled tradies
How women and older Australians are reshaping the workforce
Whether AI will destroy jobs — or create new ones

Subscribe for more conversations about money, property and the decisions shaping your financial future.

Interest rates remain at 4.35%, house prices are falling across much of Australia, and households are still feeling the cost-of-living squeeze. So, what happens next?
Westpac Chief Economist and former Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Luci Ellis joins Sylvia Jeffreys to unpack the RBA&rsquo;s latest decision, what it means for mortgage holders and why Australia&rsquo;s housing downturn isn&rsquo;t necessarily a crash.
They examine what&rsquo;s keeping inflation elevated, whether government spending is part of the problem, the complicated relationship between migration and housing affordability, and why Australia needs more skilled workers to build the homes and infrastructure we need.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>What the RBA's latest decision means for interest rates</li>
<li>Why falling house prices don't necessarily mean a housing crash</li>
<li>Whether migration is really to blame for housing unaffordability</li>
<li>When interest rates could begin falling</li>
<li>Whether government spending and data centres are adding to inflationary pressure</li>
<li>Why Australia needs more skilled tradies</li>
<li>How women and older Australians are reshaping the workforce</li>
<li>Whether AI will destroy jobs &mdash; or create new ones</li>
</ul>
Subscribe for more conversations about money, property and the decisions shaping your financial future.

Money is a constant contradiction. You’ve got to spend money to enjoy life but save every cent for the future. 

It’s why Australians are caught between impossible expectations and an economic system that feels stacked against them. So, how do you keep up the juggling act when the stakes just keep getting higher?

In The Pay Off Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.

You can listen to The Pay Off wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch every episode on 9Now, search 'The Pay Off 9Now Podcast'

Money is a constant contradiction. You&rsquo;ve got to spend money to enjoy life but save every cent for the future.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s why Australians are caught between impossible expectations and an economic system that feels stacked against them.&nbsp;So, how do you keep up the juggling act when the stakes just keep getting higher?
In The Pay Off Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.
You can listen to The Pay Off wherever you get your podcasts, or you can watch every episode on 9Now, search 'The Pay Off 9Now Podcast'

Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with leading experts and entrepreneurs to uncover tips and tricks from some of the sharpest business minds in the game.