AT its September 2009 meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate unchanged at 3 per cent, for the sixth month in a row.

The decision to keep rates on hold was expected, but many analysts anticipate the RBA will start increasing the official cash rate before the end of the year. Most of the major banks have already started increasing fixed and variable interest rates independent of the RBA over the last few months.

The next RBA meeting is scheduled for October 6.

Below is the statement by RBA governor Glenn Stevens: