Rate rise pain to continue, but Reserve Bank tipped to ease level of hikes despite surging inflation

After four successive official rate rises since May, could the Reserve Bank start easing up given the mortgage stress being inflicted on Australian households?

That's the big question confronting borrowers as the RBA's battle to contain rampant inflation eats into family budgets.

Major banks are yet to report official mortgage stress. But as the rate rises continue, they'll be digging deep into loans postcode by postcode to keep across their exposures.

Banks have nothing to gain if borrowers default and want anyone in distress to get on the phone to see what solutions are on offer. 

The Reserve Bank says there's about $250 billion in early repayments, offset accounts and redraw accunts which is fine for established borrowers, but new borrowers who bought in at the top of the market could be in distress.

I speak with Tom Oriti on ABC Newsradio