March RBA decision: interest rates remain at 1.50%
The Reserve Bank board has kept rates steady for a 19th straight month with the official cash rate remaining at 1.50% following today’s meeting in Sydney.
The decision to keep interest rates on hold will come as little surprise to many experts, especially given that a number of key players have publicly checked their expectations of a potential rate change in the last few weeks.
In his statement today, Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe indicated that while there has been encouraging growth in the Australian economy, inflation still remained below target and wage growth continued to be low.
"Notwithstanding the improving labour market, wage growth remains low. This is likely to continue for a while yet, although the stronger economy should see some lift in wage growth over time," he said.
"The low level of interest rates is continuing to support the Australian economy. Further progress in reducing unemployment and having inflation return to target is expected, although this progress is likely to be gradual."
With many experts now predicting that a rate change is unlikely to come until the end of 2018 or the beginning of 2019, Mozo Product Data Manager Peter Marshall stated that a number of softer than expected key indicators were responsible for the dampened outlook.
“Both employment and wages have experienced slower than expected growth which, as a result, is keeping pressure on many household budgets across the country,” he said.
“Given the current state of these indicators it’s difficult to see a situation, at least in the short term, where the RBA is comfortable with raising the cash rate. That’s why we’ve seen a shift in sentiment in the last few weeks towards a potential rate change happening at the end of the year instead.”
Variable rates sharpen as lenders compete for customers
With the official cash rate once again staying steady, the outlook for borrowers remains positive - especially given the continued competition among lenders in the last month which has seen a number of variable rates, particularly for those making principal and interest repayments, sharpen.
In fact, there have been two changes in the Mozo database to market-leading variable loans for owner-occupiers making principal and interest repayments in the last month alone.
Have a look at some of the lowest home loan rates currently* in the Mozo database below:
Best variable rate home loan offers
- Reduce Home Loans Rate Lovers Variable Home Loan - 3.49% (comparison rate: 3.57%)
- loans.com.au Essentials Variable 80 - 3.52% (comparison rate: 3.54%)
- Tic:Toc Variable Home Loan - 3.52% (comparison rate: 3.53%)
- FreedomLend Variable Home Loan - 3.54% (comparison rate: 3.55%)
- Homestar Variable Rate Loan - 3.54% (comparison rate: 3.59%)
Best fixed rate home loan offers (3 year term)
- SCU My Life Home Loan - 3.69% (comparison rate: 4.00%)
- Move Lockit 3Y Special Offer- 3.69% (comparison rate: 3.96%)
- Greater Bank Discount Ultimate Home Loan - 3.74% (comparison rate: 4.45%)
- Newcastle Permanent Fixed Rate Home Loan - 3.74% (comparison rate: 4.59%)
- Queenslanders Credit Union Fixed Rate Home Loan Special - 3.78% (comparison rate: 4.36%)
Still no relief in sight for savers
While lenders are competing for business from borrowers, Australians trying to get the best return on their savings are going to need to remain patient for a future rate rise and potential boost to account interest rates.
While a number of savings account and term deposit rates have continued to trend downwards in the past month, there are still plenty of rewarding offers available for those who are willing to shop around.
To help you on your way, here are some of the best ongoing savings account and term deposit rates currently* in the Mozo database:
Best ongoing savings account offers
- AMP Bett3r Save Account - 3.00% (if you make a minimum deposit of $2,000 into your linked Bett3r Pay Account every month)
- UBank USaver with Ultra Transaction Account - 2.87% (if you deposit at least $200 into the account or a linked Ultra Transaction Account every month)
- ME Online Savings Account - 2.85% (if you make a weekly Tap & Go purchase with your ME Everyday Transaction Account Debit MasterCard)
- Australian Unity Active Saver - 2.80% (if you make a minimum deposit of $250 and no withdrawals in the month)
- ING Savings Maximiser - 2.80% (if you make a minimum deposit of at least $1,000 a month from a linked Orange Everyday account as well as five purchases on your credit or debit card)
- RAMS Saver Account
" class="ldtx-link-good ldtx-link-good-sameDomain-follow atom_link atom_valid" data-ldtx_powertrust="0" data-ldtx_trust="0" data-ldtx_power="3">Saver Account - 2.80% (if you make a minimum deposit of $200 and no withdrawals in the month)
Best term deposit offers (based on a balance of $25,000)
- 1 Year: 2.75% ME
- 2 Years: 2.90% ING and Police Bank
- 3 Years: 3% Greater Bank, Heritage Bank, Maitland Mutual, ME, PCCU, QBANK, Qudos Bank
- 4 Years: 3.10% Greater
- 5 Years: 3.20% Greater
Interested in checking out even more offers? Start comparing today at the Mozo savings account and term deposit comparison hubs, and don’t miss out on all the recently-released Mozo Experts Choice Deposit Account winners!
*Rates accurate as of March 6, 2018.
Read last month's Reserve Bank interest rates update.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
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.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
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Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
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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
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- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
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Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
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.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
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Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
Get repayment certainty with HSBC’s low 2 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Make up to $10,000 of extra repayments a year. The option to split your home loan between fixed and variable. Plus, score $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan of $250,000. Must apply by 28 February 2023 and settle by 30 April 2023.
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$390.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $7,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
2-Year Discounted - Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner-Occupied
- Principal and Interest
- LVR<60%
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,988
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
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
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
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
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Variable Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,991
Competitive variable rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. 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.
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
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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 reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Home Value Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Receive $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan. Minimum loan amount of $250,000, settle within 120 days from applying.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- 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
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $15,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
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 reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.89
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
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
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.89
%
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 reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
-
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.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$250.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- 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
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- 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.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$498
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
Optional extra - $10 per month
- 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
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- 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.