Fixed rates fall in Feb: should I lock my home loan rate or wait?

By Jack Dona · · 2 min read
Fact Checked
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In a nutshell... 

  • The average fixed-rate home loan in our database dropped in February 
  • The cuts made to fixed-rates this month ranged from 0.05% to 1.00% 
  • The average 1-year fixed-rate in our database on 15 Feb is 6.51% p.a. 
  • The lowest 1-year fixed-rate in our database on 15 Feb is 5.79% p.a. 
A collage featuring a man thinking whether or not to fix his home loan rate, represented by a thought bubble with a padlock in it. He stands in front of a nice, modern home.

In February, fixed-rate home loans are coming down across the board, thanks to the shifting tides of inflation and the increasing likelihood of a Reserve Bank interest rate cut later in the year.

In the first two weeks of this month alone, we have tracked 32 standard fixed-rate cuts from 10 home loan lenders, which ranged from 0.05% trims, all the way up to chops of 1.00%. 

Among the lenders cutting their rates by significant margins are HSBC, Orange Credit Union, and Aussie.

HSBC cut its Fixed Rate Home Loan (OO, P&I, $400k, <80% LVR) by between -0.60% to -0.80%, depending on the length of the term. 

Orange Credit Union slashed 1% off its 3-year Fixed Rate Home Loan (OO, P&I, $400k, <80% LVR), taking it from a comparatively high rate of 7.14% p.a. down to 6.14% p.a. (7.09% p.a. comparison rate*). 

Aussie’s 3-year Select Basic Fixed home loan (OO, P&I, $400k, 70-80% LVR) dropped by 0.50% too. 

Home loan terms explained

OO = Owner-occupier | P&I = Principal and interest | LVR = Loan-to-value ratio View

Fixed-rate home loans in our database have overall trended slightly downwards over the past two months, particularly on fixed terms longer than one year.

Average fixed rates December to February (as at 15 February 2024)† 

Average 1-year fixed rate
Average 3-year fixed rate
Average 5-year fixed rate
15 Dec 2023
6.55% p.a.
6.45% p.a.
6.66% p.a.
15 Jan 2024
6.54% p.a. 
6.44% p.a.
6.64% p.a.
15 Feb 2024
6.51% p.a. 
6.38% p.a.
6.59% p.a. 
†Based on an owner-occupied home loan, paying principal & interest at $400,000, LVR <80%, as at 15 February 2024. 

If you do choose to lock in a fixed home loan, you risk missing out on falling variable rates if the RBA cuts the cash rate. 

It’s a gamble to say exactly when the RBA will cut, but experts and several Big Four banks forecast a cut to come in September. 

While the average standard variable home loan rate (OO, P&I, $400k, <80% LVR) in our database today is 6.29% p.a., there are still plenty of rates below that to compare, like:

If you do decide to fix, make sure to compare fixed rate home loans to see if you can get a low rate with a lender that suits your needs or consider splitting your loan. Check out a few featured fixed-rate loans below to get your search started. 

Compare fixed rate home loans - last updated 28 April 2024

Search promoted home loans below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Fixed Express Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 2 years
    6.14% p.a.

    Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee.

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    Details
  • Basic Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<70%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years
    6.12% p.a.

    No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $750,000.

    Compare
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    Details
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Fixed Express Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Interest Only

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.49% p.a.
    fixed 2 years
    6.39% p.a.

    Compare
    Go to site
    Details
  • Flex Home Loan

    Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    fixed 3 years
    6.41% p.a.

    Competitive fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 20% deposit required.

    Compare
    Find out more
    Details
  • Fixed Rate Loan with Orange Advantage

    Orange Advantage, Owner Occupiers, Principal & Interest, LVR <80%

    interest rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.09% p.a.
    fixed 2 years
    6.16% p.a.

    Know exactly what your repayments will be, and you can fix your rate for up to 5 years. No monthly, annual fee or transaction fees. Free additional repayments (less than $10,000 p.a.). Valid for loans of $50,000 up to $2,000,000.

    Compare
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    Details

Compare variable rate home loans - last updated 28 April 2024

Search promoted home loans below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Featured Product
    Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Unloan Variable

    Owner Occupier, LVR <80%

    variable rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    5.99% p.a.
    5.90% p.a.

    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 online in minutes.

    Compare
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    Details
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Express Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <90%

    variable rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.01% p.a.
    6.14% p.a.

    Get fast online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.

    Compare
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    Details
  • Elevate

    Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, <80% LVR

    variable rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.09% p.a.
    6.20% p.a.

    Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.

    Compare
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    Details
  • Mortgage Simplifier

    LVR<80%, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest

    variable rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.14% p.a.
    6.17% p.a.

    Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.

    Compare
    Details
  • Basic Home Loan

    Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest

    variable rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.14% p.a.
    6.16% p.a.

    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

    Compare
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    Details
  • Offset Home Loan

    Package, Owner Occupier, LVR<60%, Principal & Interest

    variable rate
    comparison rate
    Initial monthly repayment
    6.14% p.a.
    6.39% p.a.

    Ability to open up to 10 offset accounts per loan account. Fast online application. Linked Debit Mastercard® with fee-free access at ATMs across Australia. Package a credit card with your home loan and the annual card fee will be waived (T&Cs apply). 40% deposit required.

    Compare
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    Details

* 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. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. 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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