RBA interest rates stay put at 1.50% as March property season begins
The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the official cash rate steady at 1.5% in its March meeting, an outcome expected by the vast majority of economists.
In his statement, Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe said, "Conditions in the global economy have continued to improve over recent months. Business and consumer confidence have both picked up."
"The outlook continues to be supported by the low level of interest rates," he added.
Two major factors in the RBA’s policies for the rest of 2017 will likely be Australian house prices - which are still sky high and showing no signs of declining - as well as an expected rate rise from the US Federal Bank at their meeting on March 14 and 15.
While a US rate increase gives the RBA room to hike Australian rates without inflating the Aussie dollar and higher interest rates may decrease mortgage availability and therefore house prices, analysts are largely expecting caution from the RBA and stagnant rates for the rest of the year.
Lock up your home loan: rates on the rise
Despite the RBA keeping interest rates on hold, this is no indication that the banks will keep their rates steady. Mozo has seen a number of home loan rate hikes from banks recently. Investors in particular have had a hard couple of months, being hit with not only rate hikes, but also tightened lending criteria.
And there are likely more rate rises ahead for borrowers, so now may be the time to lock in a fixed rate mortgage. Here are the top offers around at the moment:
Best fixed rate home loan offers- 1 year - 3.59% - Greater Bank (comparison rate: 4.42%)
- 2 year - 3.69% - Bank Australia (comparison rate: 4.31%)
- 3 year - 3.59% - Easy Street (comparison rate: 4.01%)
- 4 year - 3.75% - BCU (comparison rate: 4.24%)
- 5 year - 4.10% - BCU (comparison rate: 4.37%)
For borrowers who prefer variable rates, there are still some good deals on the table:
Best variable rate home loan offers- Homestar Owner Occupier Loan - 3.49% (comparison rate: 3.53%)
- FreedomLend Variable Home Loan - 3.53% (comparison rate: 3.53%)
- loans.com.au Essentials Variable - 3.59% (comparison rate: 3.61%)
Savings hit rock bottom
Although the recent spurt of rate cuts for beleaguered savers has slowed, things still aren’t looking great for Aussies’ rainy days funds. NAB cut the interest rate on its savings account last month, which means all four big banks have now decreased rates in 2017, and the out of cycle rate cuts may continue to pummel savers in coming months.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. For those looking to build up their savings stash, there are still some decent interest rates on offer:
Best savings accounts- ME Online Savings Account - 3.05% (when you make a weekly Tap & Go purchase with your ME Everyday Transaction Account Debit MasterCard)AMP Bett3r Save Account - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $2,000 per month into linked Bett3r Pay Account)Australian Unity Active Saver - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $250 and no withdrawals in the month)ING DIRECT Savings Maximiser - 3.00% (when you also have an Orange Everyday and deposit $1,000 each month)RAMS Saver Account - 3.00% (with a minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month)Newcastle Permanent Smart Saver Account - 3.00% (when you increase the account balance by $150 (excluding interest) and make no more than two withdrawals in the month)
Check out our savings account comparison table to see the rest of the deals in the market.
Unfortunately, term deposit rates are also on the decline. Rates on both short and long term offers from a number of providers have been cut in recent months, but for savers who know where to look, there are still some good offers ready to be locked in.
Best term deposits
- 1 year - 3.00% - Teachers Mutual Bank, Unibank
- 2 year - 3.10% - Maitland Mutual Building Society, BankVic, Qudos Bank
- 3 year - 3.20% - Maitland Mutual Building Society, St.George, Qudos Bank, Greater Bank, CommBank, Bank of Queensland, Bank of Melbourne, BankVic, BankSa
- 4 year - 3.20% - Arab Bank Australia
- 5 year - 3.30% - RaboDirect
Find other term deposit options with our term deposit search tool.
You can also take a look at the winners of our recent Mozo Experts Choice Deposit Awards to find the best of the best deals for savers, or stay up-to-date with the latest changes in the world of finance by signing up for 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.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- 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
- $10,000,000
- 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 this Unloan Variable
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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
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.
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
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 this Neat Home Loan
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Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <90%
- Interest rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,001
Get 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.
- Interest rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- 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 this Express Home Loan
Go to site
-
3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan Special Offer
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.49
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.97
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,836
Get repayment certainty with Police Credit Union’s 3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan Special Offer. No annual or monthly fees to pay. Make additional repayments up to $20,000 per year. Available for first home buyers and refinancers. Member owned, but applications open to all Australians.
- Interest rate
-
5.49
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.97
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$562
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$150.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $20,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $250,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this 3 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan Special Offer
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Basic Home Loan
- Fixed
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR<70%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
No upfront or ongoing fees. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Option to earn Qantas points. Min 30% deposit required. Borrow up to $10,000,000.
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$400.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Basic Home Loan
Go to site -
Offset Home Loan
- Fixed
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <70%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.24
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.24
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$248.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$400.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Offset Home Loan
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Flex Home Loan
- Fixed
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.79
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.20
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,931
Competitive Fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
- Interest rate
-
5.79
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.20
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$250
- Ongoing fees
-
$250.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- -
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Flex Home Loan
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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.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- 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
- $10,000,000
- 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 this Unloan Variable
Go to site -
Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner-Occupied
- Principal and Interest
- LVR<60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy a low variable rate with no application, ongoing or monthly fees to pay. Access your money via internet banking at any time with free redraws. Make additional repayments at any time. Available for owner occupied, investment and interest only repayments.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$175.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,500,000
- 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 this Simple Home Loan Variable
Go to site -
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
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).
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes - partial only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Fixed Express Home Loan
Go to site -
Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <90%
- Interest rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,001
Get 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.
- Interest rate
-
6.01
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- 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 this Express Home Loan
Go to site -
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
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.
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
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 this Neat Home Loan
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Flex Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.33
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,027
Competitive variable rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.33
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$250
- Ongoing fees
-
$250.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- -
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- 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 this Flex Home Loan
Go to site -
Basic Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- LVR<60%
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
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.
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.16
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$400.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Basic Home Loan
Go to site -
Offset Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- LVR<60%
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.39
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
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.
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.39
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$248.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$400.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about this Offset Home Loan
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
7.10
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,174
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
-
6.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
7.10
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$160.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- 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
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- 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 our Mozo Review to learn more about this Fixed Rate
Want to speak to someone about refinancing?
Our partner Lendi can help with that. All they need is a few details to get started.
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.