It defied financial market expectations of a 25-basis-point rise on top of the RBA's three consecutive moves late last year.

The decision means a family with a $300,000 mortgage would pay about $600 less in annual repayments than they were paying 18 months ago.

Hunter Business Chamber chief executive Peter Shinnick said the Reserve Bank's move to keep the cash rate at 3.75 per cent had kept the rate close to historical lows and would contribute to high levels of Hunter business activity.

Mr Shinnick said low unemployment, a strong business sector and low loan commitments had contributed to the Hunter being well placed to endure interest rates in the current range.

"This decision will also give some assistance to local exporters who have been struggling under a strong Australian dollar," he said.

Mr Shinnick said Hunter businesses were assessing long-term prospects of the currency value and what that meant for them.

The region's property industry experts also welcomed the unchanged rate, saying it would attract more investors and help alleviate the tight rental market.

Hunter-based Real Estate Institute of NSW president Wayne Stewart said the halt to rates was proof of a strong national property market, but also that the Reserve Bank was being cautious.

Dalton Partners director Anthony Merlo agreed the move was a win for investors.

He said an unchanged cash rate gave the big banks no platform for lifting rates.

But Raine and Horne Newcastle principal Jason Maxwell said more needed to be done to attract investors.

"At the moment we have 1200 rental properties and only three are vacant," he said.

"Yes, low interest rates will help, as do higher returns, which we're seeing, but there needs to be other incentives such as land tax reductions," he said.