Compare high interest savings accounts up to 6.00% p.a.

By comparing interest rates, fees and account conditions from Australia’s savings providers here on Mozo you could find the best savings account for you.

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Mozo may receive payment if you click the products below. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can search our database of 272 savings accounts using the filters.
Last updated 15 October 2024 Important disclosures

Savings account comparisons on Mozo

  • Savings Accelerator

    Standard rate
    2.85 % p.a.
    (for $0 to $50,000)
    Maximum rate
    5.40 % p.a.
    (for $150,000 to $500,000)
    New customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000.
    Go to site

    Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^

Interest rates change regularly - we'll help you stay informed.

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Savings Accounts Market Snapshot - October 2024

While longer term deposit interest rates have slid recently, savings accounts have remained relatively stable over the past few months. The economy is in a bit of a holding pattern, but banks know they can bring down savings rates should the Reserve Bank of Australia cut the cash rate. But how likely are we to see some cuts?

Recent inflation figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show a rise of only 2.7% in the 12 months to August, down from 3.5% the previous month. However, it's worth noting that these figures may be influenced by government energy rebates, so both the RBA and banks will be closely monitoring upcoming quarterly CPI figures.

While potential cuts have been widely discussed in the media, some experts predict cash rate moves will happen next year. This means we may see savings rates over 5% for a little longer, which is good news for savvy savers. 

Compare current savings interest rates

One way savers can compare interest rates is by using an average. Average savings rates from our database can act as a good benchmark, providing a better sense of where current interest rates sit relative to each other.

According to the Mozo database, the average savings^ rate as of 1 October, 2024 is:

  • 3.54% p.a. (ongoing savings rate).

Meanwhile the median savings rate is:

  • 4.25% p.a. (ongoing savings rate).

So as you can see, these figures are quite low and there's an opportunity to find a better rate if you're willing to compare and switch.

Best high interest savings accounts*

At Mozo, we track over 250 savings accounts and compare savings products across standard, bonus, and intro rates to help you find the best savings account for you. Comparing savings account options is important because even high interest rate accounts might have conditions that don’t work for your savings situation. 

The current top savings accounts by interest rate are:

Savings account
Bonus rate
Base Rate
Bonus rate conditions
The Mutual Bank
Internet Saver
6.00% p.a.
6.00% p.a.
For balances between $50,000 and $100,000. Applicable until 31 Jan 25, reverting to 4.50% on 1 Feb 25.
Rabobank High Interest Savings Account
5.75% p.a.
4.40% p.a.
The rate is for the first 4 months of account opening.
ME HomeME Savings Account
Up to
5.55% p.a. 
0.55% p.a.
A minimum $200 must be deposited into the account with no withdrawals in the month.
ING Savings Maximiser
5.50% p.a.
0.55% p.a.
Deposit $1000 from an external source into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions and grow the account by the start of each month. (click review for more)
Ubank High Interest Save Account
5.50% p.a
0.00% p.a.
Deposit at least $500 to either Spend, Bills or Save account from an external source each month.
MOVE Bank Growth Saver
5.50% p.a.
0.10% p.a.
Minimum deposit of $200 with no withdrawls
Bank of Queensland Future Saver Account (14 to 35 years)
5.50% p.a.
0.05% p.a.
$1,000 or more is credited to the linked Everyday Account and make 5 eligible transactions. (criteria waived for 14-17 year olds).

*According to the Mozo database as of 1 October 2024.

Top everyday savings accounts*

If you're not up for jumping through hoops each month, the best savings accounts for you might be the ones that offer a high standard base rate. Here are the top everyday saving accounts in Australia this month ranked on the highest standard (base) interest rate for you to compare.

Savings Account
Standard Rate
Max Balance Conditions
Police Bank U30 Charge
5.25%
(for $1 and over)
Australian Unity Freedom Saver
5.20% p.a
(for $0 to $50,001)
ANZ Plus ANZ Save
4.90% p.a
(for $0 to $249,999)
Bank of Queensland Simple Saver Account
4.85% p.a
(for $0 to $5,000,001)
Macquarie Savings Account
4.75% p.a
(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Orange Credit Union Online Saver Account
4.75% p.a
(for $1,000 and over)
Unity Bank MoneyMAX Account
4.75% p.a
(for $1 and over)

*According to the Mozo database as of 1 October 2024.

^All Personal Accounts, at $10,000

Savings Account Knowledge Hub

What is a savings account?

A savings account is a banking product for anyone who wants to put some money away for a later time, separate from their everyday spending money. 

More importantly, it's somewhere you can safely deposit funds and earn interest on them over time, which in turn can help you meet whatever savings goals you might have. 

There are a few types of savings account to choose from:

  • Introductory rate: Get a high interest rate for the first few months before reverting to a lower base savings rate.
  • Bonus rate: High interest savings accounts require you to meet certain monthly conditions to earn the bonus. If you don’t meet these conditions, the interest rate will revert to a lower base rate.
  • Base or standard rate: The only condition for this kind of account is usually the balance limit. On average, standard rates are lower than the other two account types.

What is a high interest savings account?

A high interest savings account is any savings account that has an above-average interest rate. To help you see the difference, the Mozo research team has crunched the numbers from all the accounts we track in the Mozo database and provided a table of the ‘average’ savings rates below. 

Savings Account Type
Average rate all Accounts
Average rate
Big 4
All Ongoing
3.53% p.a.

3.43% p.a.
Only Bonus
4.66% p.a.
4.79% p.a.
Only Introductory Rates
4.98% p.a.
4.69% p.a.
Only Unconditional Rates
1.43% p.a.
1.60% p.a.

Source: Mozo database, 1 October 2024

As illustrated, any savings account above a rate of 3.53% p.a. could be considered high interest currently. These numbers are important to keep in mind when reviewing savings accounts so you can find one of the best savings accounts for your situation.

How to choose the best type of savings account

Choosing the best type of savings account depends on a number of factors, including:

  • the interest rate 
  • the conditions 
  • the features or accessibility of the account
  • and, the bank provider.

What kind of savings rates should I look for?

This depends on your savings goals. Your options are as follows:

  • Introductory rate. Some banks will offer a high rate of interest for a short introductory period to help you kickstart your savings, after which a lower base rate will be paid on an ongoing basis.
  • Bonus rate. This is where you’ll get a higher rate of interest if you meet certain monthly criteria such as a minimum deposit or no withdrawals in the month. If you don’t meet the monthly criteria, your savings interest rate will drop to the lower base rate, and reset again the following month if you meet the conditions again. These bonus rate savings accounts can be great if you are actively saving each month. 
  • Standard or base rate. This is the amount of interest you will earn on your balance no matter how many deposits or withdrawals or transactions you make. 

Look for the best features 

Once you’ve checked out the types of accounts, the next thing to consider is savings account features.

Most savings accounts are now 100% digital, accessible via phone banking, internet or an app. This means they often come with useful features such as: 

  • Automatic payments - put your savings on autopilot and set up a regular deposit into your savings account.
  • Round-up features - some accounts will round-up purchases to the nearest dollar and automatically put the extra funds into your savings account.
  • Block and lock features - some apps allow you to block withdrawals to help you limit the temptation of digging into your savings for impulse buys.
  • Split across goals - have short and long term savings goals. Some accounts will let you split your savings between each goal.
  • No monthly fees 

What are some of the biggest traps with savings accounts? 

The most common trap of savings accounts is failing to meet the monthly conditions in order to receive the bonus or maximum interest rate.

Bonus rate conditions might include:

  • Minimum deposit amount
  • No withdrawals
  • Minimum account balance
  • Maximum account balance
  • Mandatory purchases 
  • Age limits (savings accounts for kids and teens)

Also, when you are putting together your savings plan, having realistic savings goals will help. 

What are the pros and cons of high interest savings accounts? 

A high interest rate account can help you reach your savings goals faster—whether that be a home loan deposit or an emergency fund. However, while there are obvious advantages there can be some disadvantages too. 

Let's take a look below:

Pros
Cons
- High interest rates mean larger compound interest effects.

- A safe place to keep your cash as your deposit is protected under the Financial Claims Scheme (up to $250,000).

RBA cash rate hikes can give a boost to your interest rates.

- May have certain withdrawal restrictions based on conditions.

- May have deposit requirements to meet in order to get highest rate

- If the RBA begins cutting the cash rate, your savings account rate may also fall.

graphic of two dice with plus and minus signs
Woman on laptop with hands in air with question marks above

How do I earn interest on my savings?

Most savings accounts calculate earned interest daily, based on your closing balance. It is then paid out monthly – this is known as compound interest. So, the more you deposit into your savings account to grow your balance and the less you withdraw, the more interest you earn on your money. 

Generally speaking, savings account base interest rates are variable so they can fluctuate over time which is why it’s important to compare savings regularly. If you want to do some old school maths here’s how to calculate interest on a savings account or if time-saving is more your thing, check out our savings calculator.

Award-winning Savings Accounts

Every year, Mozo’s expert judges compare hundreds of savings accounts to find the best value accounts for different saver scenarios as part of the Mozo Experts Choice Awards. Only the top ranked accounts are awarded. 

In 2024, ING was named Everyday and Savings Bank of the Year and Great Southern Bank and Macquarie Bank were recognised as Exceptional Value Everyday & Savings Bank award winners. 

Categories of this year’s awards include:

  • High interest savings
  • No strings savings
  • Kick start savings
  • Young Adult, teen and kids savings 

You can check out all the winners and categories at the 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Savings Awards page. We also highlight products in our comparison table that are award winners.  

Mozo Experts Choice Awards Savings Account Badge

What's the difference between a transaction and a savings account? 

Both savings and transaction accounts are options you have for keeping your money with a banking provider. Transaction or bank accounts are usually used for your everyday spending and as such these usually pay little or no interest. But they do come with a debit or ATM card. 

Meanwhile, savings accounts are designed to help you reach your savings goals. They usually have higher interest rates and are accessed via online banking or via a banking app. Keep in mind that they do not come with an ATM card.  

Is my money secure in a savings account?

Yes, the Australian government guarantees deposits of up to $250,000 with any one Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADIs) under the financial claims scheme. This means the government will reimburse any amount of $250,000 or under should the ADI (bank, credit union, etc.) fail.

If you’ve saved up more than $250,000, you’d need to keep smaller amounts of up to $250,000 in different banks for all your funds to be covered by the government's guarantee. 

How to open a savings account

Opening up a savings account is a pretty simple process, although there are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind. 

To start an account you’ll need to:

  1. Select a provider
  2. Apply online, by phone or at a branch
  3. Upload or present identification documents (birth certificate, ID, etc.)
  4. Choose whether you’ll get a single or joint savings account
  5. Link your bank account to your savings account.

FAQs: savings accounts

What is the difference between a high interest and a bonus saver account?

High interest savings accounts are any account that has an above-average rate. Bonus saver accounts, meanwhile, are accounts where providers offer a higher interest rate as an extra incentive for fulfilling certain conditions.  

What is the key difference between savings accounts & term deposits?

You may find yourself divided between investing your money in a savings account or a term deposit. Here are some key factors to consider: 

  1. Interest rates: With a term deposit the interest rate will be fixed for the term of your investment. Term deposits are available for 3 months to 5 years. With a savings account, the interest rate is a variable rate which means that it can change at any time. 
  2. Withdrawals: Term deposits have less flexibility as your interest rate and money are locked away for the fixed term. If you do make a withdrawal, penalties would apply.  Alternatively, savings accounts can be withdrawn at any time, although some bonus rate accounts will revert to a lower base rate if account growth is a condition. 
  3. Bonus rates: With a savings account, you also have the option to earn higher bonus rates provided certain conditions are met. On the other hand, some term deposit providers offer a loyalty bonus if you roll your balance for a new term at maturity.  
  4. Minimum balance: Most term deposits will have a minimum balance, where savings accounts will have much lower (if any) balance requirement.

Read our guide on term deposits versus savings accounts if you'd like a more detailed explainer. 

Can I get a debit or ATM card with a high interest savings account?

No, high interest savings accounts are usually only available online or via an app. But you can (or may even be required to) have a transaction account when you sign up which should come with a debit or ATM card. 

Do I get taxed on interest earned in a savings account?

Yes, interest earned is considered the same as income and you’ll need to declare this on your annual tax return.   

How much can I deposit into a savings account?

In general, most savings accounts don’t have a specific limit on how much you can deposit. However, providers usually have balance tiers that determine the interest rate earned. This means that once your balance goes over a certain amount, the interest rate will either drop or increase depending on the provider.

Savings Calculators

Crunch the numbers with our range of savings calculators! See all calculators

Cameron Thomson
Cameron Thomson
RG146
Money writer

Cameron, with a background in radio and degrees in creative writing and history, is RG146 certified in Generic Knowledge. He tracks savings rates and trading platforms, aiding Aussie consumers in smart investments.

JP Pelosi
JP Pelosi
RG146
Managing editor

JP Pelosi, Mozo's Managing Editor, has 20 years in journalism, featuring in The Guardian and News.com.au. With a background in firms like CommBank and Amex, he advises on and crafts engaging financial content.

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Savings account customer reviews

Commonwealth Bank Savings Account
Overall 10/10
Perfect all ways

Commonwealth bank is great

Read full review

Commonwealth bank is great

Price
9/10
Features
10/10
Customer service
10/10
Convenience
10/10
Trust
10/10
Less
Cheryl, New South Wales, reviewed 7 days ago
Westpac eSaver
Overall 1/10
Not what I expected but they have no morals

I find it hard to say anything good about westpacs customer ethics especially the refund policy contradicts itself by the way they handled cyber fraud attack on my account loosing at least 30.000 over a few months when I brought it to their attention they claim to refund all of it on the website bit different when it happens they refused to look at it professionally trued to blame me for allowing such things belittled me to the point I didn't want to continue with. My dispute they had alot more to do with it than I'll ever find out I asurethst much disgusted completely and still no rectification on my account just gotta sit around bieng poor and homeless thanks Westpac booooo

Read full review

I find it hard to say anything good about westpacs customer ethics especially the refund policy contradicts itself by the way they handled cyber fraud attack on my account loosing at least 30.000 over a few months when I brought it to their attention they claim to refund all of it on the website bit different when it happens they refused to look at it professionally trued to blame me for allowing such things belittled me to the point I didn't want to continue with. My dispute they had alot more to do with it than I'll ever find out I asurethst much disgusted completely and still no rectification on my account just gotta sit around bieng poor and homeless thanks Westpac booooo

Price
1/10
Features
2/10
Customer service
1/10
Convenience
3/10
Trust
1/10
Less
Rodney, New South Wales, reviewed 7 days ago
Beyond Bank Purple Bonus Saver Account
Overall 10/10
Excellent bank of deal with

It is always a positive experience when I attend my bank branch.

Read full review

It is always a positive experience when I attend my bank branch.

Price
10/10
Features
10/10
Customer service
9/10
Convenience
9/10
Trust
10/10
Less
Eirawen, Western Australia, reviewed 7 days ago

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