How refinancing your home loan in 2021 could save you thousands

By Tom Watson · · 3 min read
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If you’re set on looking at your finances with a fresh focus in 2021, honing in on your biggest savings opportunity could be the place to start.

For many Australians that’s their home loan. A mortgage in the hundreds of thousands of dollars is likely to be the largest debt most people ever have, which means even a small interest rate reduction could provide significant savings - particularly over the long term.

The thing is, plenty of mortgage holders are paying more than they need to on their home loan.

“A significant number of Australian home loan borrowers have not switched lenders for several years, yet they stand to save so much money by doing so,” said ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, in the wake of the consumer regulator’s home loan price enquiry released in December.

So, if this is the first time you’ve checked in on your home loan rate in recent years, you might be in for a shock, because rates have shifted greatly and your own rate might not have kept up.

Difference in average owner occupier rates (Source: Mozo database)


March 2019March 2021Change
Variable4.34%3.28%-106bp
1-year fixed4.00%2.33%-167bp
3-year fixed4.02%2.34%-168bp
5-year fixed4.45%2.62%-183bp

As the table above shows, the drop in the average variable and fixed home loan rates has been substantial, even in the last two years.

So the big question is: has your own rate kept pace with these changes? If not, you’ll probably be curious as to how much you could potentially save by refinancing to a better deal.

How much could you save with a lower rate?

To showcase the potential savings on offer for refinancers, here’s a scenario using owner occupier borrowers Mya and Ken. The couple currently have an outstanding mortgage of $400,000 and a variable rate of 3.31% which they’re planning to pay off by making principal and interest repayments over 20 years.

At that rate - according to our home loan repayments calculator - Mya and Ken would need to make monthly repayments of $2,281, and over the life of the loan they would end up paying $147,434 in interest alone.

However, here’s what those numbers would look like if the pair were able to refinance their home loan to a variable rate of 2.50% - a rate which is low, but by no means the lowest in our database at present:

  • Their monthly repayments would drop to $2,120 - $161/month less
  • The amount of interest they would pay over 20 years would fall to $108,707 - $38,727 less
  • Assuming they were able to refinance in the next few weeks, Mya and Ken would be able to save over $1,700 in monthly repayments in 2021 alone

That’s a significant difference, even in the short term.

Of course, refinancing won’t be the right move for every mortgage holder. Some borrowers will already be on a competitive interest rate, while others may be unable to refinance because of their financial situation - so called ‘mortgage prisoners’.

There are also additional costs to weigh up against the potential savings on offer from refinancing, including any discharge or break cost fees from your existing lender, or new fees that you’ll be charged by a new lender.

If you are interested in refinancing, get started by plugging in a few numbers from your current home loan to our switch and save calculator, or compare rates on loans from over 80 different lenders yourself by heading over to the Mozo home loan comparison hub. 

Home loan averages come from loans tracked in the Mozo database which are based on an owner occupier making principal and interest repayments on a loan of $400,000 with an 80% LVR. Check out the Mozo home loan statistics page for more information.

Mozo may receive payment if you click the products below. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can compare more home loans here.
Last updated 14 September 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Refinance home loan comparisons on Mozo

Promoted

  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    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.

  • Neat Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.11 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

  • Fixed Express Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    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. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).

  • 3 Year Special Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site

    This home loan is available for purchase or refinance, complete with 1, 2 or 3 year fixed rate options. Minimum 10% deposit required.

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Need help with refinancing?

You might have questions that need personal answers. We’ve teamed up with the mortgage brokers at Lendi to get you the answers you need, and a home loan deal you deserve.

Learn more


* 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

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.

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