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.

The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys

Rates, Housing and AI: What's Really Happening to Australia's Economy?

What if technology could help us become better voters?

Climate advocate, former elite long jumper and Build a Ballot co-founder Lizzie Hedding is trying to do exactly that. Her non-partisan voting platform attracted more than 600,000 users during the last federal election, helping Australians cut through political noise and make more informed decisions at the ballot box.

In this episode of The Pay Off, Lizzie joins Sylvia Jeffreys to unpack the unlikely journey that took her from elite athletics to climate advocacy and, eventually, tech entrepreneurship.

She reflects on how the Black Summer bushfires changed the course of her life, why she believes Australian democracy can work better, and what she learned building a political platform designed to remain fiercely neutral.

They also discuss:
Why younger Australians are engaging with politics differently
Housing, cost of living and the rise of minor parties
The challenge of remaining politically neutral in an increasingly polarised environment
How social media has transformed political messaging
Why Lizzie chose the not-for-profit path rather than trying to build the next tech unicorn

What if technology could help us become better voters?
Climate advocate, former elite long jumper and Build a Ballot co-founder Lizzie Hedding is trying to do exactly that. Her non-partisan voting platform attracted more than 600,000 users during the last federal election, helping Australians cut through political noise and make more informed decisions at the ballot box.
In this episode of The Pay Off, Lizzie joins Sylvia Jeffreys to unpack the unlikely journey that took her from elite athletics to climate advocacy and, eventually, tech entrepreneurship.
She reflects on how the Black Summer bushfires changed the course of her life, why she believes Australian democracy can work better, and what she learned building a political platform designed to remain fiercely neutral.
They also discuss:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why younger Australians are engaging with politics differently</li>
<li aria-level="1">Housing, cost of living and the rise of minor parties</li>
<li aria-level="1">The challenge of remaining politically neutral in an increasingly polarised environment</li>
<li aria-level="1">How social media has transformed political messaging</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Lizzie chose the not-for-profit path rather than trying to build the next tech unicorn</li>
</ul>

Can Tech Save Democracy? Why 600,000 Aussies Used Lizzie Hedding's Voting Tool

What does it take to dedicate decades of your life to a dream that feels out of reach?

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with 2026 Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first qualified astronaut, to explore what it really takes to pursue an extraordinary goal.

From stargazing in her Sydney backyard to completing one of the world’s most demanding astronaut training programs, Katherine shares the mindset, resilience and curiosity that have shaped her remarkable career. She reveals what astronaut training is actually like, why humanity’s return to the Moon matters, and how space research is already improving life here on Earth.

The conversation also explores Australia’s growing role in the global space industry, the country’s STEM skills challenge, and why Katherine believes inspiring the next generation—especially girls—to dream bigger has become one of her most important missions. She also shares an exclusive first look at Mission Sprouts, a new initiative bringing space-flown seeds into Australian classrooms.

Whether you’re fascinated by space, navigating your own ambitious career goals, or simply wondering what’s possible when you commit to a lifelong dream, this episode will challenge the way you think about achieving the seemingly impossible.

You’ll learn:
What astronaut training is really like—and what it takes to qualify.
Why the world is returning to the Moon, and Australia’s role in the next era of space exploration.
How space research is leading to breakthroughs in medicine, technology and sustainability.
Why curiosity, resilience and long-term thinking matter more than natural talent.
How Katherine hopes to inspire more young Australians—especially girls—to pursue careers in science, technology and space.
The story behind Mission Sprouts, bringing space-flown seeds into classrooms across Australia.

Find out more about Mission Sprouts at www.space.gov.au. Applications close Sunday, August 23, 2026.

What does it take to dedicate decades of your life to a dream that feels out of reach?
In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys sits down with 2026 Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia&rsquo;s first qualified astronaut, to explore what it really takes to pursue an extraordinary goal.
From stargazing in her Sydney backyard to completing one of the world&rsquo;s most demanding astronaut training programs, Katherine shares the mindset, resilience and curiosity that have shaped her remarkable career. She reveals what astronaut training is actually like, why humanity&rsquo;s return to the Moon matters, and how space research is already improving life here on Earth.
The conversation also explores Australia&rsquo;s growing role in the global space industry, the country&rsquo;s STEM skills challenge, and why Katherine believes inspiring the next generation&mdash;especially girls&mdash;to dream bigger has become one of her most important missions. She also shares an exclusive first look at Mission Sprouts, a new initiative bringing space-flown seeds into Australian classrooms.
Whether you&rsquo;re fascinated by space, navigating your own ambitious career goals, or simply wondering what&rsquo;s possible when you commit to a lifelong dream, this episode will challenge the way you think about achieving the seemingly impossible.
You&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What astronaut training is really like&mdash;and what it takes to qualify.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why the world is returning to the Moon, and Australia&rsquo;s role in the next era of space exploration.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How space research is leading to breakthroughs in medicine, technology and sustainability.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why curiosity, resilience and long-term thinking matter more than natural talent.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How Katherine hopes to inspire more young Australians&mdash;especially girls&mdash;to pursue careers in science, technology and space.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The story behind Mission Sprouts, bringing space-flown seeds into classrooms across Australia.</li>
</ul>
Find out more about Mission Sprouts at <a href="https://www.space.gov.au">www.space.gov.au</a>. Applications close Sunday, August 23, 2026.

What Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg Wants You To Know About Achieving the Impossible

Starting a business is exciting. Building one that lasts is something else entirely.

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys is joined by Edible Blooms Co-founder and Managing Director Kelly Jamieson and Westpac Managing Director of Business Lending Tamara Bryden to unpack what it really takes to launch and grow a successful business.

Kelly shares how she turned a kitchen-table idea into one of Australia’s best-known gifting businesses, while Tamara explains why women still receive just a fraction of startup funding—and what can be done to change it.

Together, they discuss the realities of entrepreneurship: testing an idea before investing heavily, managing cash flow, securing finance, scaling beyond the “messy middle” and why building a business often means working harder than you’ve ever worked before.

Whether you’re dreaming of leaving your corporate job, growing a side hustle or taking your business to the next level, this episode is packed with practical advice from two women who’ve helped thousands of businesses get off the ground.

You’ll learn:
Why women still face bigger barriers when raising capital
How to test a business idea before investing thousands
What banks actually want to see in a business plan
The biggest cash flow mistakes new founders make
How to scale beyond the “messy middle” of business growth
Why your network can be as valuable as your funding
The mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else
Why “freedom” isn’t the best reason to start your own business

Starting a business is exciting. Building one that lasts is something else entirely.
In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys is joined by Edible Blooms Co-founder and Managing Director Kelly Jamieson and Westpac Managing Director of Business Lending Tamara Bryden to unpack what it really takes to launch and grow a successful business.
Kelly shares how she turned a kitchen-table idea into one of Australia&rsquo;s best-known gifting businesses, while Tamara explains why women still receive just a fraction of startup funding&mdash;and what can be done to change it.
Together, they discuss the realities of entrepreneurship: testing an idea before investing heavily, managing cash flow, securing finance, scaling beyond the &ldquo;messy middle&rdquo; and why building a business often means working harder than you&rsquo;ve ever worked before.
Whether you&rsquo;re dreaming of leaving your corporate job, growing a side hustle or taking your business to the next level, this episode is packed with practical advice from two women who&rsquo;ve helped thousands of businesses get off the ground.
You&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why women still face bigger barriers when raising capital</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to test a business idea before investing thousands</li>
<li aria-level="1">What banks actually want to see in a business plan</li>
<li aria-level="1">The biggest cash flow mistakes new founders make</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to scale beyond the &ldquo;messy middle&rdquo; of business growth</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why your network can be as valuable as your funding</li>
<li aria-level="1">The mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why &ldquo;freedom&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t the best reason to start your own business</li>
</ul>

Rates, Housing and AI: What's Really Happening to Australia's Economy?

The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys

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