Mozo compares term deposit interest rates from 70 banks, mutual banks and credit unions in Australia, to help you find the right account for your investment needs.
A term deposit is a cash investment made with a financial institution for a fixed period of time. This fixed period of time is known as a term. Providers offer shorter and longer terms, lasting anywhere from one month to five years. A fixed interest rate is applied to the deposit over the length of the term, meaning your return at the end should be substantially more - as long as you don’t withdraw it early!
Invest in highly rated Australian bonds. *Total Return for the 10 years to 31 May 2021 and 5.66% p.a. since inception on 29 March 2011. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. The fund is not a bank or term deposit.
$0 Set up and no ongoing account-keeping fees. Interest rate depends on balance amount. Optional 3,6,9 or 12 month terms. Balances from $10,000.
$0 Set up and no ongoing account-keeping fees. Interest rate depends on balance amount. Optional 3,6,9 or 12 month terms. Balances from $10,000.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Citi Term Deposit
Great rates and incentives incl. 0.10% added loyalty bonus at renewal. Option to have interest paid to another bank. Winner of the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021 for Term Deposits.
Great rates and incentives incl. 0.10% added loyalty bonus at renewal. Option to have interest paid to another bank. Winner of the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2021 for Term Deposits.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Judo Bank Term Deposit
$0 Set up and no ongoing account-keeping fees. Interest rate depends on balance amount. Optional 3,6,9 or 12 month terms. Balances from $10,000.
$0 Set up and no ongoing account-keeping fees. Interest rate depends on balance amount. Optional 3,6,9 or 12 month terms. Balances from $10,000.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Citi Term Deposit
Terms from 3 to 36 months. A guaranteed rate. No account keeping fees. Enjoy a fixed rate or return. Get a written notice before your deposit matures.
Terms from 3 to 36 months. A guaranteed rate. No account keeping fees. Enjoy a fixed rate or return. Get a written notice before your deposit matures.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Teachers Mutual Bank Term Deposit
Flexible 3 to 60 month terms available. $0 account keeping fees. Flexible interest payments at maturity or annually. Minimum $5,000 deposit.
Flexible 3 to 60 month terms available. $0 account keeping fees. Flexible interest payments at maturity or annually. Minimum $5,000 deposit.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the BankVic Term Deposit
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Term deposits 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.
Deposit $2,000 each month and make 5 eligible payments from your Go Account. If you are between 18 and 25 deposit $1,000.
Enjoy a savings account bundled with a spending account. New customers can earn up to 5000 bonus Virgin Money points on purchases (conditions apply). Benefit together with a joint account
Enjoy a savings account bundled with a spending account. New customers can earn up to 5000 bonus Virgin Money points on purchases (conditions apply). Benefit together with a joint account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Boost Saver with Go Account
Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2021 in the Regular Saver category. No monthly account fees and no minimum balance requirements.
Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2021 in the Regular Saver category. No monthly account fees and no minimum balance requirements.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bonus Saver Account
Make at least 1 deposit and no more than 1 withdrawal, including internal transfers or external payments.
Earn a maximum interest rate of 0.65% per year. Pay no monthly fees. Set up in-app savings goals. Benefit with joint account options.
Earn a maximum interest rate of 0.65% per year. Pay no monthly fees. Set up in-app savings goals. Benefit with joint account options.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Grow Saver
Bonus rate for first 3 months, reverting to 0.15% rate after
$0 monthly account fee. Link to any Australian bank account.
$0 monthly account fee. Link to any Australian bank account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Serious Saver
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Online Saver
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening on balances over $2,000 only, available to new customers only.
A high interest savings account that still lets you access your cash, no monthly account keeping fees and top up as many times as you like.
A high interest savings account that still lets you access your cash, no monthly account keeping fees and top up as many times as you like.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the WebSavings Account
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings accounts Awards
As the new 2021/22 financial year begins, the outlook for term deposits is a little rosier.
Interest rate cuts for terms were coming thick and fast in 2020, but have eased off in the past six months. In December last year, our research team counted a staggering 785 interest rate cuts to term deposits tracked in the Mozo database. In June 2021 that figure fell to 125.
“The pace of cuts to term deposit rates has certainly slowed in the last couple of months, and we’re even seeing some providers increase rates across some or all terms,” said Mozo Interest Rates Expert Peter Marshall.
For example, of the 1 year term deposit rates Mozo currently tracks, the average interest rate remained unchanged at 0.52% in May and June (based on $25,000 investment). Chances are interest rates for 1-year term deposits could stay steady in July too.
Plus, as Marshall said Mozo actually counted a number of interest rate increases in June, as well as cuts.
In total our team noted 28 interest rate increases from nine term deposit providers in June.
The biggest rate rise came from Firstmac, which increased its 2-year term offering by 45 basis points to 0.75% p.a. The next biggest was Illawarra Credit Union which upped its 9-month term deposit rate by 30 basis points to 0.55% p.a.
Both Suncorp and Southern Cross Credit Union increased term deposits by as much as 25 basis points. Suncorp increased its 8-month term to 0.45% p.a. and Southern Cross Credit Union increased its 9-month rate to 0.60% p.a.
Marshall commented that providers increasing rates tend to be smaller mutuals. So to find more competitive rates, people may need to do their research and look beyond the big bank names they are familiar with.
Of course another thing that happens in July is tax returns. You might even be thinking about putting your tax return in a term deposit.
If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure you get the most competitive interest rate for your money. Once again, Judo Bank is sitting in the top position in the Mozo database for a range of terms. Scroll up to see what interest rates Judo Bank is currently offering.
Just keep in mind that most terms require a minimum deposit amount, with Judo Bank this is $1,000.
Updated by: Tara McCabe, 1 July 2021*Average based on 1-year term deposits available in the Mozo database with a $25,000 deposit, correct on 30 June 2021.
Term deposits are a relatively low-risk investment option offered by many Australian banks, mutual banks and credit unions. Term deposits enable you to earn interest on a lump sum of money at a fixed interest rate for a locked-in period of time. This can be anywhere from one month to five years. When you put your money in a term deposit, you can usually choose to have interest paid to you monthly or when the term deposit matures.
To find the right term deposit for you, you will need to compare the range of interest rates available and carefully consider what investment term length will suit your financial needs. This is important, as there are often penalties that come with withdrawing money early from a term deposit.
You can use Mozo’s table above to compare term deposits available in Australia right now. The table provides a snapshot of key features you’ll want to know about, before deciding on the right term deposit for you.
Here’s a quick rundown of what is included in Mozo’s term deposits comparison table:
The interest rate column: This lists out the interest rate you’ll earn for the rate term outlined. You will receive this rate for the entire term deposit fixed period, unless for any reason you need to withdraw your money early. In this case, your interest rate may be reduced or there may be some other penalty that applies.
The minimum deposit column: This outlines the amount of money you’ll need to have to open a term deposit with the provider listed. With term deposits this minimum amount can range from $500 up to $250,000.
The term deposit provider: All term deposit providers that are listed on our site are covered under the Australian government deposit guarantee scheme up to $250,000.
In 2021 Mozo has noted a number of providers actually increasing term deposit interest rates. This is despite interest rates still being fairly low across the board. Read more about this in Mozo’s monthly update above.
As well as interest rates potentially creeping upwards, right now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a term deposit is considered to be one of the safest investment options for Australians with cash. This is because interest rates on term deposits are fixed and your money is protected under the Australian government deposit guarantee scheme for balances up to $250,000.
There is no one Australian bank that offers the best term deposit rates across every investment term. This is why it’s important to compare term deposits based on your own individual circumstances. For example, a bank might offer a competitive interest rate for a one year term, but the minimum deposit amount might be more than the cash you have to invest, or you might not be looking for a term that long.
The term deposit interest rate you’ll be able to get will depend on:
Your deposit amount
The investment term you choose
What providers operate in your area
Whether or not you are fussed about investing with a bank, mutual bank, credit union or online bank
These days most banks will give you the option to set up and manage a term deposit via internet banking or a banking app. This means you’ll be able to invest your money, from the comfort of your couch!
The key features to compare term deposits on include:
Interest rate. The higher the interest rate, the higher your rate of return should be. Term deposit interest rates are fixed, so no matter what happens in the market, the rate you lock in at the start of your investment will remain the same for the entire term.
Interest payments. Interest for shorter terms is usually paid at maturity, while for longer terms it is often paid annually. Some providers may also give you the option to have your interest paid monthly.
Investment term. The length that you can invest your money can range anywhere from one month to five years, depending on what each financial institution offers. Most providers have a range of shorter and longer terms to choose from.
Minimum deposit. All term deposits will require a minimum lump sum investment. Around $1,000 is generally the minimum investment needed to open a term deposit.
Automatic rollover at maturity. Your provider should notify you when your term is nearing its end and will usually give you a number of options for what you can do at maturity. These may include collecting your money, plus interest, or depositing it into another term. If you do nothing, your money may automatically be rolled over to a new term. With this you may not receive the most competitive interest rate.
All term deposits listed on Mozo’s website are covered under the Australian government’s financial claims guarantee scheme. This scheme provides protection for deposits up to $250,000 with authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), such as your bank, mutual bank or credit union, in the event that the ADI fails.
Some pros to putting your money in a term deposit are:
Removes temptations to dip into your savings and spend, as you cannot access your money for the length of the term (unless you request an early withdrawal).
Interest rates are fixed, meaning they won’t fluctuate with market changes, for the length of your chosen term.
It is a fairly low risk investment, compared to other investments such as stocks and shares and property.
There are usually no set up or account management fees to worry about.
Some cons to term deposits are:
You cannot easily access your money, until the term matures.
Penalties may apply, if you do have to withdraw your funds early. This could be in the form of a reduced interest rate or fee.
You won’t benefit from interest rate increases, during the length of the term.
It’s the age old question...Should I put my money in a savings account or a term deposit? Comparing the two might give you some idea as to which one is right for you.
With a term deposit you won’t be able to access your money for a certain length of time. If you don’t think you can do that, then you may be interested in a high interest savings account instead.
While savings accounts are usually easily accessible, penalties often apply if you need to withdraw money early from a term deposit. Although this can also be a pro for term deposits, as it means there is less temptation to spend your stash.
You can’t make additional payments to a term deposit, whereas savings accounts can be topped up whenever you like. Weekly, daily, monthly etc.
Term deposits come with fixed interest rates, while rates for savings accounts are variable. This means your bank could lower the interest rate on savings accounts a month, a week or even a day after you deposit your money into it.
Interest payments are often determined by the length of the term deposit. With shorter term deposits (one month to one year), interest is usually paid when the term matures. For longer terms, providers will often give you the option to have interest paid monthly, annually or at maturity.
Interest is typically paid via direct credit into a linked everyday transaction account. In some cases, the financial institution may give you the option to have the interest paid to another bank of your choice.
Use Mozo’s term deposit calculator for an estimate of how much interest you could make with a particular term.
Prior to the maturity date of your term deposit your bank will get in touch with you and explain your options. At this point, it is a good idea to shop around to compare term deposit interest rates that other financial institutions and banks have available.
If your bank doesn’t hear from you before your term matures, they may do an automatic rollover. An automatic rollover is when a bank moves your money into a new term deposit with the same fixed term. The interest rate will be the rate that is currently on offer with that term at the time of the rollover. There’s a chance that this will be lower than your original interest rate, which is why it’s important to keep a note of the term deposit end date.
Generally at maturity, your options will include:
Withdrawing all of the money (including the interest)
Withdrawing some of the money and reinvesting the rest
Topping up the balance with additional funds and reinvesting all of it
Reinvesting the same amount for the same length of time
Reinvesting the same amount for a different length of time
If you are aged 18 or over, in most cases you will be able to open a term deposit online. Once the term is set up, you should be able transfer your funds directly into it. Here’s some information you may want to have on hand:
Your name, address and phone number
Proof of ID, e.g. driver’s licence, plus Medicare card
Your tax file number
Details of your nominated bank account from where funds will be transferred
Details of anyone else who may be noted on the term deposit
When it comes to term deposits, banks like to work in round figures. You can invest in anything from a minimum of $1000 - $1+million. Just be aware that with the Australian Government Guarantee Scheme, term deposits are only covered for up to $250,000 per customer per financial institution.
The good news is there are no set up, ongoing or annual fees with term deposits. But there are penalties for withdrawing your savings before the term has matured. You will need to give banks a 31 day notice period if you want to withdraw early. Some accounts allow a partial withdrawal of your term deposit; others require a full withdrawal. In either case, the banks may hit you with:
When you sign up for a term deposit you’ll get to choose how long you’d like to lock away your money for. This could be for as short as 1 month or as long as 5 years depending on the bank. The interest rate will change depending on the term selected. When you get to the end of the term, your bank will return your deposit (along with interest) or you’ll have the option to reinvest.
If you need access to your funds before the maturity date of your term deposit, it is possible to break the account. Firstly, you will need to give the bank 31 days notice and secondly you will likely be required to pay an early withdrawal fee. For more detailed information, see our term deposit early termination guide.
The 31 day notice period applies if you want to withdraw money from your term deposit prior to the maturity date. This is a regulation that was introduced by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) requiring customers to give banks 31 days advance notice. Even if you provide 31 days notice, you may still need to pay an early withdrawal fee or penalty.
Some banks may require you to have a linked account for interest to be paid, while others will allow for interest payments to be made to any bank account of your choosing.
You will generally need to be a resident for tax purposes to be able to open a term deposit with an Australian bank. Banks will generally also require you to be at least 18 years old to open a term deposit. If you are under 18, it might be possible to open a joint account with a parent or guardian.
It may be possible to negotiate a higher interest rate than the advertised rate with a bank prior to opening an account but this will depend on the bank and how much you are investing. Once you have transferred your funds, the interest rate is locked in for the duration of the agreed term.
At the end of the term deposit period, your bank will contact you regarding your options at maturity. Some term deposits will have an automatic rollover feature and this means that if you don’t notify the bank of your plans, they will automatically renew your deposit for the same period of time and at the current market interest rate for that rate term. This could be more or less than your initial interest rate, which is why it is important to keep track of the end date.
Yes, the interest earned on a term deposit is considered income and you’ll need to include this on your tax return for the financial year in which it was paid. It is a good idea to speak with your accountant or financial advisor about your specific tax situation, especially if you are investing a large amount of money.
You will be able to open a term deposit account with most banks online. If you have not been a customer of the bank previously, you will need to provide some information to verify your identity but in most cases this can be done 100% online.
Mozo has a range of resources and term deposit guides available to help you better understand the ins and outs of term deposits.
Not just this bank but all banks as far as interest on principal is concerned. All my life I have paid interest on mortgages ect at rates far in excees of interest rates now. Now when I need to live on my interest on my term deposits I can't. The Reserve Bank is bowing to pressure from Government and the new generations coming through to support their high-end like styles and bugger the rest. All this 'must have now' attitude is killing this country. We had to scrimp and save to buy things that the generation now are not prepared to wait and save for. Way things are going it is making it so easy for countries like Chine to come in and take over our country without the majority of people realising it. As hard as it was liveing through the higher interest rate periods I still think I and oy=thers of my age lived through the best of times and i feel sorry for the people who will wake up with huge debts when interest rates eventuall go up again albeit though not in my life time. So I dislike all the major banks as they are the main cause of our prblems now.
Read full reviewNot just this bank but all banks as far as interest on principal is concerned. All my life I have paid interest on mortgages ect at rates far in excees of interest rates now. Now when I need to live on my interest on my term deposits I can't. The Reserve Bank is bowing to pressure from Government and the new generations coming through to support their high-end like styles and bugger the rest. All this 'must have now' attitude is killing this country. We had to scrimp and save to buy things that the generation now are not prepared to wait and save for. Way things are going it is making it so easy for countries like Chine to come in and take over our country without the majority of people realising it. As hard as it was liveing through the higher interest rate periods I still think I and oy=thers of my age lived through the best of times and i feel sorry for the people who will wake up with huge debts when interest rates eventuall go up again albeit though not in my life time. So I dislike all the major banks as they are the main cause of our prblems now.
The bank is doing great in its customer service with great efficiency and communication. I highly recommend the employees called Joe (maybe I spell wrongly) and Alexander.
Read full reviewThe bank is doing great in its customer service with great efficiency and communication. I highly recommend the employees called Joe (maybe I spell wrongly) and Alexander.
This bank is discriminatory against anyone who chooses not to own a mobile phone or is deaf as myself and cannot use a mobile phone. I find it unacceptable as email and a landline (wife) options are open to present codes for identification and are used (email) for past decade by my current banks. I would not be even bothering commenting on this so called bank if it were not for the interest rate being offered at this time.
Read full reviewThis bank is discriminatory against anyone who chooses not to own a mobile phone or is deaf as myself and cannot use a mobile phone. I find it unacceptable as email and a landline (wife) options are open to present codes for identification and are used (email) for past decade by my current banks. I would not be even bothering commenting on this so called bank if it were not for the interest rate being offered at this time.
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