MEDIA RELEASE No: 2005-01 Date: 14 January 2005 Embargo: For Immediate Release

SURVEY ON HOUSEHOLD BEHAVIOUR AROUND HOUSING EQUITY

The Reserve Bank of Australia has commissioned a survey of Australian households in order to improve its understanding of household borrowing and spending decisions. The survey focuses, in particular, on the extent to which households use mortgage finance for non housing purposes. This information will help the Reserve Bank in its analysis of household spending and the structure of the household sector’s balance sheet.

The survey is being conducted on behalf of the Reserve Bank by Roy Morgan Research. Over coming weeks, Roy Morgan Research and the Reserve Bank will be writing jointly to 10 000 households seeking their co-operation in the survey. Roy Morgan Research will follow-up with phone interviews. Participation in the survey is voluntary and all information supplied will be completely confidential. Personal details will not be attached to the survey results provided to the Reserve Bank and confidentiality will be protected by the Privacy Act.

The Reserve Bank’s analysis of the survey will be published later in the year.