The Reserve Bank has kept the Official Cash Rate at 2.25 percent, but its message to households and businesses was clear: inflation pressure has not gone away.

Governor Anna Breman used a casting vote after the monetary policy committee split 3-3 on whether to hold or hike. All committee members reportedly agreed rate increases were likely this year, differing mainly on timing.

The split decision came under newer transparency settings that make disagreement public. For business owners, the decision is less a reprieve than a warning to plan for funding costs and customer caution to remain front of mind.

Households face the same calculation, with mortgage holders weighing whether to fix early or wait for clearer signals.

The key question now is whether the next move comes sooner than markets currently expect.