Mortgage delinquencies decline further: Pete Wargent

Declines were reported in all mainland states and territories. 

Source: S&P Global Ratings

Western Australia continued to have the highest rate of 30-day arrears, declining from 2.21 per cent to 2.12 per cent. 

 

The lowest rate of delinquency was to be found in the ACT at only 0.58 per cent (Canberra has by far the highest incomes on the country). 

 

In New South Wales 30-day arrears fell from 0.79 per cent to only 0.75 per cent in the month.

 

Arrears were also below 1 per cent in Victoria and Tasmania.

Over the past year the biggest improvers were the southern states of Tasmania and South Australia (the other ex-mining state jurisdictions had low arrears already).

As at the beginning of 2017, S&P Global had reported:

"We believe that the risk of a sharp, disorderly correction in house prices remains relatively low, reflecting our stable economic outlook for Australia."

While risks remain, S&P commented this month:

 

"We do not expect arrears to increase much above current levels while benign economic conditions persist."