RBA Tightening Bets Keep Aussie on a Knife's Edge Ahead of Jobs Data
  • Market Insights   >   Daily Market Analysis New

RBA Tightening Bets Keep Aussie on a Knife’s Edge Ahead of Jobs Data         

Published: 23 September 2026,09:13

Published: 23 September 2026,09:13

Daily Market Analysis New

Tags:

Share on:
FacebookLinkedInTwitterShare
Share on:
FacebookLinkedInTwitterShare

Key Takeaways:

*The RBA has maintained the cash rate at 4.35%, but persistent inflation risks and elevated domestic demand have kept the possibility of further tightening alive. 

*Underlying inflation remains around 3.6%, above the RBA’s 2%–3% target, while unemployment is near 4.5%. Tomorrow’s employment report will therefore be closely watched for evidence of whether labour-market conditions are cooling sufficiently to ease inflationary pressure.

*A strong jobs report or lower unemployment could reinforce rate-hike expectations and support the Australian dollar, while weaker employment data could reduce tightening expectations and weigh on AUD. 

Market Summary:

The Australian dollar remains sensitive to evolving Reserve Bank of Australia policy expectations as markets digest the central bank’s latest communications and prepare for key labour market data. The RBA has held the cash rate steady at 4.35 percent in recent meetings after cumulative increases of 75 basis points earlier this year. Minutes from the August Monetary Policy Board meeting and subsequent remarks from Governor Michele Bullock have underscored persistent upside risks to inflation, including elevated energy prices linked to Middle East developments, ongoing domestic demand pressures, and the inflationary effects of the global AI and data-centre investment boom.

Recent economic data reinforce this cautious stance. Underlying inflation continues to run above the RBA’s 2–3 percent target range, with core measures around 3.6 percent, while headline readings remain elevated. Labour market conditions have eased modestly but remain relatively tight by historical standards, with the unemployment rate near 4.5 percent. Governor Bullock has noted that a modest further rise in unemployment toward the 4.5–5.0 percent range could assist in restraining inflationary pressures, yet the Board has signalled readiness to tighten further if upside risks continue to materialise. Markets currently assign a high probability to a 25-basis-point rate increase at the upcoming September 29 meeting.

Tomorrow’s Australian employment report will serve as an important input into these expectations. A stronger-than-anticipated outcome—solid job gains or a stable-to-lower unemployment rate—would likely reinforce the case for additional tightening and provide near-term support for the Australian dollar. Conversely, a weaker print that points to faster labour-market softening could temper rate-hike odds and weigh on the currency, particularly if it raises questions about the durability of domestic demand. Overall, the Aussie’s near-term direction remains closely tied to the evolving balance between inflation persistence and labour-market dynamics as the RBA approaches its next policy decision.

Technical Analysis 

AUDUSD, H4: 

The AUD/USD pair has broken below its key support level at 0.7135, marking a significant break in its previous uptrend structure and providing a bearish signal for the pair. The breakdown suggests that selling pressure has strengthened, with buyers struggling to maintain the previous bullish trajectory.

Following the breakdown, AUD/USD has attempted to stabilize around the 0.7135 area, but the recovery momentum appears weak. The inability to regain stronger upward momentum suggests that the previous support level may now act as a resistance area, increasing the risk of further downside if selling pressure resumes.

The previous low at 0.7080 is now the key support level to watch. Should AUD/USD fail to hold above 0.7080, this would provide further confirmation that bearish momentum is dominating and could trigger another leg of selling pressure toward the next major psychological support level at 0.7000.

Resistance Levels:0.7135, 0.7265

Support Levels:0.6985, 0.6840

Start trading with an edge today

Trade forex, indices, metal, and more at industry-low spreads and lightning-fast execution.

  • Start trading with deposits as low as $50 on our standard accounts.
  • Get access to 24/7 support.
  • Access hundreds of instruments, free educational tools, and some of the best promotions around.
Join Now

Latest Posts

Fast And Easy Account Opening

Create account
  • 1

    Register

    Sign up for a PU Prime Live Account with our hassle-free process.

  • 2

    Fund

    Effortlessly fund your account with a wide range of channels and accepted currencies.

  • 3

    Start Trading

    Access hundreds of instruments under market-leading trading conditions.

Important Notice to Visitors

Our products and services are not offered or made available to residents of your jurisdiction. The information on this Website is not directed at persons in your jurisdiction and is not intended as an offer, solicitation, or promotion of our products or services to them.

By clicking “I Understand”, you acknowledge this notice and confirm that you are accessing this Website at your own initiative. Access to this Website does not mean that our products or services are available to you.

Important Notice

Please be advised that our products and services are currently unavailable to residents and entities located in the Philippines.

This restriction is a result of our firm commitment to adhering to applicable legal and regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions where we operate. In line with our internal compliance protocols and evolving global standards, we continuously assess and update access to our platform to ensure full regulatory alignment.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

If you believe this restriction has been applied in error, please contact our support team for further assistance.

Important Notice:

Important Notice: Please note the Website is intended for individuals residing in jurisdictions where accessing the Website is permitted by law.

Please note that PU Prime and its affiliated entities are neither established nor operating in your home jurisdiction.

By clicking the "Acknowledge" button, you confirm that you are entering this website solely on your own initiative and not as a result of any specific marketing outreach. You wish to obtain information from this website which is provided on a reverse solicitation basis in accordance with the laws of your home jurisdiction.

Important Notice:

Please note the Website is intended for individuals residing in jurisdictions where accessing the Website is permitted by law.

Please note that PU Prime and its affiliated entities are neither established nor operating in your home jurisdiction.

By clicking the "Acknowledge" button, you confirm that you are entering this website solely based on your initiative and not as a result of any specific marketing outreach. You wish to obtain information from this website which is provided on reverse solicitation in accordance with the laws of your home jurisdiction.

Aviso importante:

Ten en cuenta que el sitio web está destinado a personas que residen en jurisdicciones donde el acceso al sitio web está permitido por la ley.

Ten en cuenta que PU Prime y sus entidades afiliadas no están establecidas ni operan en tu jurisdicción de origen.

Al hacer clic en el botón "Aceptar", confirmas que estás ingresando a este sitio web por tu propia iniciativa y no como resultado de ningún esfuerzo de marketing específico. Deseas obtener información de este sitio web que se proporciona mediante solicitud inversa de acuerdo con las leyes de tu jurisdicción de origen.