RBA opts for the safe bet: keeps rates on hold at 1.50%
Interest rates have been kept on hold at 1.50% again this month in new Governor Philip Lowe’s first cash rate announcement.
In a statement, Lowe said, "Inflation remains quite low. Given very subdued growth in labour costs and very low cost pressures elsewhere in the world, this is expected to remain the case for some time."
He also mentioned that, "Separately, a number of lenders are also taking a more cautious attitude to lending in certain segments. Growth in lending for housing has slowed over the past year."
No one was surprised that with no major economic changes to shake things up, the Reserve Bank opted to play it safe at the October Board meeting - experts almost unanimously disregarded the chance of a change this month, betting instead on a November rate cut.
At that point, after new data on inflation is made available in late October, the RBA will be in a position to re-evaluate and consider the benefits of a further rate cut.
Home loans up in the air
Although many lenders were still gradually lowering rates throughout September, others, reported Mozo Data Manager Peter Marshall, instead made increases.
Despite that, there are still some good deals to be found for savvy borrowers who keep on their toes. Check out where all the best home loan action is this month in the tables below:
Mozo's Pick of the Month | ||
---|---|---|
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/ubank" data-ldtx_html="UBank " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0">UBank UHomeloan (Mozo's <a href="https://mozo.com.au/expertschoice/best-home-loans" data-ldtx_html="Experts Choice Award " data-ldtx_powertrust="6" data-ldtx_trust="2" data-ldtx_power="3" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">Experts Choice Award Winner 2016) | 3.64% | 3.64% |
*All home loan rates based on owner occupiers with an LVR of 80%
Best fixed rate home loan offers
- 1 year – 3.59% from <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/greater-bank/Ultimate-Home-Loan-Fixed,-Package/3796" data-ldtx_html="Greater Bank " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="1">Greater Bank (comparison rate 4.42%)
- 2 years – 3.59% from QT Mutual Bank (comparison rate 4.42%)
- 3 years – 3.59% from <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/bank-of-queensland" data-ldtx_html="Bank of Queensland " data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">Bank of Queensland (comparison rate 4.99%) and <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/police-credit-union" data-ldtx_html="Police Credit Union " data-ldtx_powertrust="4" data-ldtx_trust="2" data-ldtx_power="2" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">Police Credit Union (comparison rate 4.80%)
- 4 years – 3.74% from <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/greater-bank/Ultimate-Home-Loan-Fixed,-Package/3796" data-ldtx_html="Greater Bank " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="1">Greater Bank (comparison rate 4.34%)
- 5 years – 3.74% from <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/greater-bank/Ultimate-Home-Loan-Fixed,-Package/3796" data-ldtx_html="Greater Bank " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="1">Greater Bank (comparison rate 4.32%)
You can find all the other great home loan offers available in our <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans" data-ldtx_html="home loan comparison " data-ldtx_powertrust="12" data-ldtx_trust="3" data-ldtx_power="4" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">home loan comparison table.
Savings accounts an outside bet
Even without another rate cut it’s dire times for savers, with interest rates on saving accounts low and getting lower. In September, any action in this arena was mainly banks making further cuts - even term deposit rates, which saw a refreshing rise in August, were slumping once more. But it’s not all bad, and we’ve rounded up some of the best places to stash your cash.
Best savings accounts
Product | Interest rate | Special conditions |
---|---|---|
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts/information/rabodirect" data-ldtx_html="RaboDirect High Interest Savings Account " data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="1" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">RaboDirect High Interest Savings Account | 3.20% | Introductory rate for the first 4 months |
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts/information/australian-unity" data-ldtx_html="Australian Unity Easy Saver " data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">Australian Unity Easy Saver | 3.15% | Introductory rate for the first 4 months |
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts/information/rams" data-ldtx_html="RAMS Saver Account " data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="3" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">RAMS Saver Account | 3.15% | With a minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month |
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts/information/me" data-ldtx_html="ME Online Savings Account " data-ldtx_powertrust="2" data-ldtx_trust="1" data-ldtx_power="2" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">ME Online Savings Account | 3.10% | When you make a weekly Tap & Go purchase with your <a href="https://mozo.com.au/bank-accounts/information/me" data-ldtx_html="ME Everyday Transaction Account " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="1" data-ldtx_trust="1" data-ldtx_power="1">ME Everyday Transaction Account Debit MasterCard |
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts/information/citibank" data-ldtx_html="Citibank Online Saver" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0">Citibank Online Saver | 3.05% | Introductory rate for the first 4 months |
Best Term Deposits
- 5 months - <a href="https://mozo.com.au/term-deposits/information/goldfields-money" data-ldtx_html="Goldfields Money " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0">Goldfields Money - 2.95%
- 9 months - <a href="https://mozo.com.au/term-deposits/information/credit-union-sa" data-ldtx_html="Credit Union SA " data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">Credit Union SA - 3.00%
- 11 months - <a href="https://mozo.com.au/term-deposits/information/bankwest" data-ldtx_html="Bankwest " data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="0" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow">Bankwest - 3.00%
- 1 year - Big Sky - 3.05%
- 2 years - <a href="https://mozo.com.au/term-deposits/information/anz" data-ldtx_html="ANZ " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="1">ANZ (advance notice term deposit) and <a href="https://mozo.com.au/term-deposits/information/peoples-choice-credit-union" data-ldtx_html="People's Choice Credit Union " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="1">People's Choice Credit Union - 3.20%
To find more great places to park your stash, check out our <a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts" data-ldtx_html="saving accounts comparison " class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow" data-ldtx_powertrust="12" data-ldtx_trust="3" data-ldtx_power="4">saving accounts comparison table, and to keep up to date with the world of finance, don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, the Mozo Banking Roundup
Read last month's Reserve Bank interest rates update.
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
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.
- interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.90% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$2,995
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
no
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
Rate discounted by 0.01% p.a. every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30% p.a..
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <95%
- Interest rate
-
5.69
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.28
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,899
Get the security of a competitive fixed rate home loan for 2 years with IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.
- interest rate
-
1 year - 6.19% p.a. (6.45% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.69% p.a. (6.34% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.69% p.a. (6.28% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.30% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.27% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.34% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$799
- Ongoing fees
-
$6.00 monthly
- Discharge Fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
95.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$2,899
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to 1 year in advance
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$500.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
Monthly fee only applies to fixed period of loan.
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
$4,000 cashback for loans $750,000 and above with a maximum LVR of 80%, settled within 90 days of application for refinancers or 180 for purchase loans. $3,000 for loans between $500k and $749k, $2,000 for loans between $250k and $499k.
Read reviews and learn more about IMB Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.81
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.
- interest rate
-
1 year - 6.14% p.a. (7.13% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.94% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.81% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.75% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.99% p.a. (6.69% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
7.24% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$160.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$20,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
-
- type of mortgage
-
Fixed
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$2,915
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
No monthly fee after end of fixed rate term. Lock your fixed rate for 90 days for a fee of $750 per $1m in lending (or part thereof).
- Special Offers
-
$3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
-
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
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.
- interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.90% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$10,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$2,995
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
no
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
Rate discounted by 0.01% p.a. every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30% p.a..
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Budget Home Loan
- LVR <80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.04
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.07
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,011
Enjoy a discounted variable home loan from IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Life-of-loan discount off IMB’s standard variable interest rate. Unrestricted additional repayments. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). No monthly fees to pay. Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.
- interest rate
-
6.04% p.a. (6.07% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$3,011
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$500.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
The $449 application fee is waived for <80% LVR Owner Occupier Principal and Interest loans.
- Special Offers
-
$4,000 cashback for loans $750,000 and above with a maximum LVR of 80%, settled within 90 days of application for refinancers or 180 for purchase loans. $3,000 for loans between $500k and $749k, $2,000 for loans between $250k and $499k.
Read reviews and learn more about IMB Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mortgage Simplifier
- LVR<80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
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.
- interest rate
-
6.14% p.a. (6.17% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$250.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$150,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$2,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$3,043
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
$1.00
- Offset account
-
no
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
Everyday round up available, a feature that automatically rounds purchases made on INGs Orange Everyday transaction account to the nearest $1 or $5 and transfers the difference against your loan balance.
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about ING home loans
-
Elevate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,056
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.
- interest rate
-
6.18% p.a. (6.18% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$498
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge Fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
-
80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
-
$10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
-
$5,000,000
- type of mortgage
-
Variable
- Repayment types
-
Principal & Interest
- Availability
-
Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
-
$3,056
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
-
-
- Offset account
-
Optional extra - $10 per month
- Split account
-
yes
- Other restrictions
-
-
- Other benefits
-
-
- Special Offers
-
-
Read reviews and learn more about Aussie home loans
Your selected reserve bank interest 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.
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.