12 Month Term Deposit Rates Compared

A year might seem like a very long time but rest assured, if you've done your homework, investing in a 12 month term deposit can work in your favour to maximise your wealth. A term deposit is where the interest rate is guaranteed not to change therefore your savings grow over the year. If you have a long term savings goal perhaps for a house or an overseas holiday, a 12 month term deposit is a good way to achieve those financial ambitions.

The key features of a 12 month term deposit?

Locking your savings away for a whole year may seem a little daunting, as a lot can happen in 12 months with the market and your personal financial situation. So take the time to consider the following features before taking the leap into the world of term deposits.

• Interest Rate: Unlike a home loan where you choose between a variable or fixed interest rate, a term deposit is always locked in and guaranteed not to change. The interest rate offered on a 12 month term deposit is generally higher than a three or six month term deposit. Also, the more money you're going to invest the better the rate. For the best one year term deposit interest rates in Australia, search the Mozo database right here.
• Terms: This refers to the duration of your term deposit, how long you will invest the funds. A 12 month term deposit is regarded as a short-term deposit. Anything longer than a year is considered long-term. Have a look at Mozo's in-depth list of long-term deposits.
• Amount: The banks want your money! The minimum deposit amount is $1000 and there's no upper limit.
• Fees: Believe it or not, it doesn't cost a cent to open a term deposit. But if you break the term deposit before the end of the fixed term, you might have to pay break cost fees.

What interest rates can you get with a 12 month term deposit?

If you shop around, you can generally find a higher interest rate with twelve month term deposits. While the rates on offer for a twelve month term deposit may not be quite as high as what is offered with a five year term deposit, you will, more often than not, be able to find a rate higher than what is offered with a shorter, three or six month term. So it's really up to you and your individual needs, as to whether you want to opt for a shorter term deposit with a lower interest rate, where you can access your funds sooner, or a longer term deposit where your money will be locked away for a considerable period of time, but will most probably benefit from a higher interest rate. Check out Mozo's Term Deposits Interest Rates information page for more information on term deposit rates available right now.

Is a 12 month term deposit right for you?

Do you have a large amount of cash you're not sure what to do with? Are you someone that doesn't like taking risks and would rather take a conservative approach when it comes to money? If so, a 1 year term deposit may just suit you and your savings.

Fair enough though if you feel a little scared at the thought of opening up a one year term deposit, especially given you can't access the funds over the term without penalties. So it's important to do a budget that ensures you can survive a year without the funds in your term deposit. Also make sure you have an emergency stash of cash to avoid penalties for dipping into the deposit before maturity.

Crunch some numbers in the Mozo savings goal calculator.