ANZ joins fellow major banks in cutting variable home loan rates

ANZ has become the latest big four bank to reduce a variable mortgage rate in recent weeks, announcing a 23 basis point cut to one of its basic home loans this morning.
The major lender cut rates on its Simplicity PLUS loan by 23bp for new owner-occupier customers with a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) up to 80%, which means the lowest variable rate on offer to borrowers in that situation is now 2.49% p.a. (2.53% p.a. comparison rate*).
In addition to the rate change, ANZ also introduced a new rate tier on the Simplicity PLUS Loan for lower-risk borrowers. Owner-occupiers with an LVR under 70% will now be able to access rates as low as 2.29% p.a. (2.33% p.a. comparison rate*), which is the lowest variable rate currently on offer from the bank.
This is the first time that ANZ has lowered rates on its Simplicity PLUS loan (which has typically been the lowest-rate mortgage it offers) in over a year, with the move coming fresh on the heels of similar cuts from its major bank competitors.
Both CBA and NAB reduced rates on their respective basic home loan products last month, while Westpac did the same in late August. As a result, here are the lowest variable home loan rates currently on offer from the big four:
Big four lowest ongoing variable rates (owner occupier, <80% LVR) - November 8, 2021
Loan | Variable rate | |
NAB | Base Variable Rate Home Loan | 2.29% p.a. (2.33% p.a. comparison rate*) |
CBA | Extra Home Loan | 2.39% p.a. (2.40% p.a. comparison rate*) |
ANZ | Simplicity PLUS | 2.49% p.a. (2.53% p.a. comparison rate*) |
Westpac | Flexi First Option Home Loan (2 Year Intro Rate) | 2.59% p.a. (2.52% p.a. comparison rate*) |
In terms of the wider market, the big four are continuing to lag behind many other lenders though - at least, that’s the case when it comes to variable mortgage rates.
As of November 8, 26 lenders being tracked in the Mozo database are currently advertising at least one home loan with a headline variable rate below 2.20% and, as the table below shows, a handful are even offering rates below 2.00%.
Lowest variable rates (owner occupier, <80% LVR) - Mozo database, November 8, 2021
Loan | Variable rate | |
Reduce Home Loans | Super Saver | 1.88% p.a. (1.97% p.a. comparison rate*) |
Tic:Toc | Variable Home Loan | 1.89% p.a. (1.90% p.a. comparison rate*) |
Police Credit Union | Better Home Loan | 1.89% p.a. (1.93% p.a. comparison rate*) |
Gateway Bank | Green Plus Home Loan (Premium Package) | 1.89% p.a. (2.24% p.a. comparison rate*) |
Pacific Mortgage Group | Standard Variable | 1.94% p.a. (1.94% p.a. comparison rate*) |
Not all home loan rates are trending down though.
Fixed rates - particularly on longer terms - are edging higher. Since the start of October, 73 lenders being tracked in the Mozo database have increased a 3, 4 and 5-year fixed rate compared to just five that have made cuts.
The recent increases to longer-term fixed rates likely reflects an expectation from lenders that interest rates will start to rise in the next few years. But in the meantime, as Mozo Banking Expert Peter Marshall explains, lenders can still offer sharp variable rates and short-term fixed rates without hurting their profit margins.
“If a borrower goes onto a low variable rate right now, their lender will be able to hike it anytime they want - especially when rates do eventually go up.”
“As for one-year fixed rates - which are still very competitive - lenders are going to be fine to say, ‘okay, we’ll give you this rate for one year’, but they’re not prepared to give those great discounted rates for more than one year now.”
RELATED: Westpac hikes fixed home loan rates, RBA poised to move sooner than planned
Ready to grab a competitive home loan offer while interest rates are still relatively low? Start comparing today by heading over to Mozo’s dedicated home loan comparison table, or check out some of the great variable rate offers in the table below.
Compare variable rate home loans - last updated 9 August 2022
-
Variable Home Loan 70
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.10% p.a.3.12% p.a.Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers.. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 30% deposit required.
CompareCompareVariable Home Loan 70
Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers.. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 30% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 3.10% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.12% p.a.
- variable rate
- 3.10% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.12% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan 70
-
Featured Product
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.14% p.a.3.16% p.a.Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
- variable rate
- 3.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.16% p.a.
- variable rate
- 3.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.16% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
-
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.14% p.a.3.06% p.a.For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
- variable rate
- 3.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- variable rate
- 3.14% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- -
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
-
PAYG Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.29% p.a.3.33% p.a.Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
CompareComparePAYG Home Loan
Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 3.29% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- variable rate
- 3.29% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $840
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $500.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $250,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the PAYG Home Loan
-
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.79% p.a.3.79% p.a.Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareCelebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- variable rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
-
Featured Product
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 60-70%
variable rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.24% p.a.3.26% p.a.Low variable rate. No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 30% deposit required.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Low variable rate. No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 30% deposit required.
- variable rate
- 3.24% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.26% p.a.
- variable rate
- 3.24% p.a.
- comparison rate
- 3.26% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
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