May home loans snapshot: Lenders quietly cutting fixed rate home loans

family sitting in front of their property

The Reserve Bank’s relentless rate hike campaign — which commenced in May last year and has brought the cash rate to its highest level since 2012 — paused last month. Giving homeowners a temporary reprise from watching their monthly mortgage repayments increase. 

Several economists at the big four banks predict the end of rate hikes is nigh and expect to see one more increase before remaining the same for an extended period. 

Many lenders seem to follow a similar thought process as they’ve begun quietly slashing long term fixed rates by 30 or more basis points (bp). Mozo’s database saw 918 fixed rate decreases in April alone.

A restoration of confidence and lower rates will help slow the property downturn, as more Australians decide to take the plunge and enter the market. But what do mortgage rates look like at the moment? Below, we look at where fixed and variable rates currently sit.

Fixed home loans now average above a ‘5’

The ultra-low fixed rates many had gotten accustomed to during the pandemic period have long disappeared. These days, most fixed rates begin with a ‘5’ and just one in Mozo’s database starts with a ‘4’. 

At the time of writing, the average fixed rate for owner occupiers with an 80% LVR and a $400,000 loan are:

  • 1-year: 5.75% p.a.
  • 2-year: 5.90% p.a.
  • 3-year: 5.96% p.a.
  • 4-year: 6.27% p.a.
  • 5-year: 6.34% p.a.

Recent home loan rate movements

Variable rate home loans

  • Regional Australia Bank reduced its Partnership Advantage
    Package rates by 28bp, now starting from 5.49% p.a. (5.84% p.a. comp
    rate*).
  • ANZ decreased the discount on lower loan to value ratio tiers of the
  • Simplicity PLUS home loan - increasing rates by 10bp for LVRs up to
    80%, now from 5.54% p.a. (<60% LVR, 5.55% p.a. comp rate*).
  • Commonwealth Bank increased Standard Variable Wealth
    Package rates for LVRs up to 80% by 3-12bp, now from 5.44% p.a. (<60%
    LVR, 5.82% p.a. comp rate*).

Fixed rate home loans

  • NAB cut fixed rates by 15-60bp this month across borrower types,
    with 3-5 year terms decreased by higher amounts.
  • ANZ decreased 3 year fixed rates by 60bp for Owner Occupiers
  • paying principal and interest and 50bp for other borrowers.
  • Bank of Queensland made significant cuts (25-90bp), along with
  • ME (19-80bp), and Virgin Money (20-70bp). All have a leading 3
    year rate of 5.24% p.a. (5.68% p.a., 5.78% p.a., 5.48% p.a., respective comp rates*).

Current lowest home loan rates

Below are the lowest variable and fixed mortgage rates (P&I, LVR <80%) among lenders we track.

Lowest variable rates — Mozo database (May 1, 2022)^^

LenderLoanVariable rate
Gateway BankGreen Plus Home Loan (Premium Package)4.89%p.a. (5.18% p.a. comparison rate*)
Community First BankBasic Variable Home Loan Special (Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <80%)4.95%p.a. (5.00% p.a. comparison rate*)
QBANKDiscounted Classic Home Loan (LVR<80%, Owner Occupier)4.95%p.a. (4.97% p.a. comparison rate*)
QBANKFHBG Special Offer Classic Home Loan4.95%p.a. (4.97% p.a. comparison rate*)

Lowest and average fixed rates — Mozo database (May 1, 2022)^^

TermRate leaderFixed rate
1-yearThe Capricornian5.10% p.a. (6.62% p.a. comparison rate*)
2-yearTic:Toc5.29% p.a. (5.13% p.a. comparison rate*)
3-yearThe Capricornian4.99% p.a. (6.29% p.a. comparison rate*)
4-yearING5.34% p.a. (5.30% p.a. comparison rate*)
5-yearMacquarie5.35% p.a. (5.34% p.a. comparison rate*)

The above are the lowest rates available in our database for borrowers with an <80% LVR. More competitive rates are available for borrowers with lower loan-to-value ratios.

Thinking about buying a property or refinancing your existing mortgage? Use Mozo’s home loan comparison table to examine lenders side-by-side, or use our refinance calculator to see how much you could save.

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 13 October 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal and Interest
    Interest rate
    5.84 % p.a.
    Fixed 1 years
    Comparison rate
    5.93 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,852
    Go to site

    Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.

  • 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.

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^^Interest rates are based on an owner occupier making principal and interest repayments on a $400,000 loan with an 80% LVR. Check out our dedicated Australian home loan statistics page for more information on average mortgage rates.


* 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.