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We provide our corporate and institutional clients with innovative research and practical general advice on the operating environment as well as specific guidance on both tactical and strategic matters.
Our research team combines traditional macroeconomics and forecasting with tactical and strategic market research, proprietary analytics and regulatory insight to provide general advice relating to the direct and indirect risks facing our clients.
The opinion of Westpac Economics on the economy and markets is highly sought after, complemented by our experienced strategy teams across the fixed income, currency and commodity worlds in Australia and New Zealand.
Our methodology is fundamentally driven and empirically grounded. Our experts across economics and strategy have a wide range of experience and expertise gained in both the public and private sectors, both in our home markets and abroad.
We produce and maintain a number of proprietary macroeconomic datasets including benchmark surveys of consumer sentiment in Australia and New Zealand.
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Westpac IQ
Westpac IQ is our complete source of economic and financial markets commentary along with trends shaping industry, innovation and sustainability, powered by our institutional bank expertise. Westpac IQ is world-class thinking in real time, helping you navigate the effects of global events in any corner of the world.
Find out more about Westpac IQ
Contact Westpac IQ: westpaciq@westpac.com.au
Latest economic articles
Q1 GDP Partials & Forecast Update
We have revised our expectation for Q1 GDP lower, reflecting a softer contribution from the government sector. Today’s data confirms that the economy was slowing before the conflict in the Middle East had really started to impact. That impact is expected to see a more material weakening in Q2 2026 with the possibility of an outright contraction.
Australian dwelling approvals: turning point emerging?
Total dwelling approvals –3.4%mth, 10.2%yr
Minimum wage and awards increase by 4.75%
The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review handed down a 4.75% increase in the minimum wage and modern award wage rates from 1 July 2026.
Latest markets articles
Credit Chart Pack - May 2026
The US-Iran conflict remained the dominant focus throughout May. Oil prices and bond markets remained volatile, however equity markets were supported by solid earnings and accelerating AI-linked valuations. IG credit saw constructive conditions with spreads near multi-decade lows and ongoing robust issuance volumes. At home, the macro environment continues to tighten with the Federal budget also likely to weigh, and while corporate credit spreads are off their tights, issuance volumes remain strong and diverse (by name and across the capital structure) in both corps and fins as we head toward 30 June.
Follow the team
- Twitter @westpacmacro
- LinkedIn @Westpac Institutional Bank
- Podcasts available on Apple, Podcasts Spotify, SoundCloud and Simplecast.
| Podcast | Platform |
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| Finance: AM |
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| Market Outlook in conversation |