Compare Term Deposit Rates in Australia

Mozo compares term deposit interest rates from 70 banks, mutual banks and credit unions in Australia, helping you find the right account for your investment needs.

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Term deposit comparisons on Mozo

Mozo may receive payment if you click products on our site. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can search our database of 101 term deposits.
Last updated 6 November 2024 Important disclosures
  • Term Deposit

    5.15% p.a.
    6 months

    $1,000

    Yes up to $250,000

    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 2024^ for Term Deposits.

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  • Term Deposit

    4.90% p.a.
    6 months

    $1,000

    Yes up to $250,000

    Enjoy a competitive fixed interest with the choice of 1 month to 5 year terms. Start with as little as $1,000. Interest paid monthly, quarterly, half yearly or yearly. Receive a 0.10% loyalty bonus when you automatically reinvest your Term Deposit before maturity. (Terms and Conditions apply)

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  • Standard Term Deposit

    4.95% p.a.
    6 months

    $1,000

    Yes up to $250,000

    Invest from as little as $1000. No monthly fees. Interest is paid at maturity. Range of terms available from 1 month to 3 years. Manage via online banking or via app.

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  • SMSF Term Deposit

    5.15% p.a.
    6 months

    $1,000

    Yes up to $250,000

    Apply digitally in minutes and manage your SMSF Term Deposit. Flexible cash flow management with three interest payment frequencies that suit you: monthly, yearly, or at maturity. Choose from terms of 3 months up to 5 years. No application or monthly account fees but eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. Only accessible to SMSFs with two or up to four individual trustees or one corporate trustee.

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^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.

Compare other savings options

Mozo may receive payment if you click products on our site. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can search our database of 272 savings accounts.
Last updated 6 November 2024 Important disclosures
  • Savings Account

    5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

    5.00% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.

    Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.

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  • Bonus Saver

    5.00% p.a. (for $0 and over)

    1.00% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Bonus interest for the first four months from the account opened date. No minimum balance required. No monthly or ongoing fees or withdrawal penalties. Manage your money easily via phone or online banking or via the BCU Bank app.

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  • PremiumSaver

    5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)

    1.45% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Increase balance by $200 by the end of each month

    Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits. Rabobanks’s PremiumSaver is simple - receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month (T&Cs apply). Plus, your savings help our Aussie farmers produce the food we love to enjoy.

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  • Savings Maximiser

    5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)

    0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Deposit $1,000 into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions with a linked Orange Everyday account and grow the balance each month.

    Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^

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  • Bonus Saver Account

    5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

    0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Deposit at least $20 each month and make 5 Visa Debit transactions with a linked Glide account.

    Open a Bonus Saver Account in under 5 minutes. There are no fees to pay or penalties for withdrawing money. Get a seamless personalised insights and online statements via the My State Bank app.

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Term deposit resources

Reviews, news, tips and guides to help find the best term deposit for you.

Term deposits snapshot: November 2024

Term deposits remain attractive to those with the ability to put some money aside. However, providers have been gradually lowering long-term rates over the past few months. This shift likely stems from economic forecasts suggesting that, as inflation continues to diminish, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) might begin to reduce the cash rate from early next year.

As a precursor, many banks are reducing rates for longer-term deposits while keeping rates more attractive for shorter terms, especially around the 9-12 month mark. If you're looking to stash your cash, it might pay to compare these options.

Average vs highest term deposit rates in November

1-year term deposit rates are currently the highest on average (4.43%) in our database.

Short terms - 5 month through to 12 month deposits - are offering rates of 5% or higher.

Judo Bank offers the highest interest rate returns on five different term lengths in November, including the highest rate available in Mozo’s database - 5.15% p.a. for a 6 month term.

Term deposit length

Average term deposit rates

Highest term deposit rates

3 months

3.93% p.a. 

4.90% p.a. from Bank of Sydney

6 months

4.33% p.a. 

5.15% p.a. from Judo Bank

9 months

4.27% p.a. 

5.05% p.a. from Heartland Bank

1 year

4.43% p.a.

5.05% p.a. from Family First Bank

2 years

3.90% p.a. 

4.75% p.a. from Judo Bank

3 years

3.72% p.a. 

4.65% p.a. from Judo Bank

4 years

3.55% p.a. 

4.50% p.a. from Judo Bank

5 years

3.56% p.a. 

4.50% p.a. from Judo Bank

If you’re comparing term deposits, make sure to keep the minimum deposit in mind. They generally vary from $1000 to $5000, and some are even as large as $25,000.

Interest rates listed above based on personal term deposits at $25,000 in the Mozo database.
Figures accurate
 as at 1 November 2024.

What are term deposits?

A term deposit is a savings product that offers savers a fixed rate of interest for a set period of time. These accounts offer an alternative to regular savings accounts, allowing you to put your money away and earn a guaranteed return. 

Term deposits can be anywhere from 1 month to 5 years and the interest rates offered on terms will vary between providers. Since your funds are committed to the term deposit, accessing your money usually requires advance notice to the bank (such as 31 days) or incurs an early withdrawal fee.

How to compare term deposits 

When you compare term deposits, you’ll want to keep a couple of factors in mind such as: 

  • Interest rates: the higher the rate the more interest you’ll earn

  • Deposit terms: the length of time your money will be invested for

  • Minimum deposit amounts: how much money you’ll need to invest up front.

While term deposits are typically pretty similar to one another, some have minimum and maximum deposit amounts. For example, some term deposits require you to have a minimum $1,000 deposit, whereas for others you need to have at least $25,000. 

Use Mozo’s term deposit calculator to find out how much interest you could earn on any given rate and term.

Are term deposits good in 2024?

Since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has slowed down its interest rate push as inflation (CPI) eases, the highest term deposit interest rates have slowly been chipped down. Recent months have seen both short and long term rates performing better than most medium term (2 and 3 year) rates. 

Check out the term deposit snapshot above for a breakdown of the top rates across each term.

Are term deposits safe in Australia? 

All term deposits listed on Mozo’s website are covered under the Australian government’s Financial Claims Scheme, as they’re provided by Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs). 

This means the government will guarantee your deposit worth up to $250,000 per person, per deposit product, if the bank goes bankrupt or can’t pay you back.

Pros and cons of term deposits

Even if you find a good term deposit, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages you’ll want to consider before signing up.

Pros 

Cons

  • 1. Your money is locked away, helping you preserve your savings. 

  • 2. The interest you earn is virtually guaranteed 

  • 3. It’s a low-risk investment 

  • 4. Usually fee-free (unless you wish to make an early withdrawal) 

  • 5. If interest rates fall during your term, your rate will stay the same. 

  • 1. You can’t add to your term deposit balance if you wish to top it up

  • 2. You’ll have to pay a fee to withdraw your cash early (i.e. in case of emergency)

  • 3. If interest rates rise during your term, your rate will stay the same.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out our guide on the pros and cons of term deposits.

Term deposits vs savings accounts

If you’re deciding between a term deposit or a savings account, it’s helpful to take a look at a side-by-side comparison of the two similar, but also very different, savings products.

Term deposits

Savings Accounts

Access your money at any time? 

Fixed rate of interest?

Guaranteed rate of return?

Make additional deposits? 

Safe (covered by FCS)? 

Typically requires a linked transaction account? 

Sometimes

Typically requires minimum starting deposit requirements?

Sometimes

For a full breakdown of the differences, check out our savings account vs term deposit guide.

Show transcript

What are the best term deposits?

The 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Awards uncovered the best term deposits in Australia, based on the banks that consistently offered the highest interest rates to their customers. Among the best in 2024 are:

Picture of JP Pelosi
JP Pelosi
RG146
Managing editor

Managing Editor Jean-Paul (JP) Pelosi leads the editorial team, with over 20 years of experience writing for top outlets like The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and News.com.au. JP's expertise in home loans and property is complemented by his rich background at major financial firms including CommBank, Suncorp and Amex. Holding a Master's in Communications and international experience in journalism, JP combines passion with skill and has a unique ability to apply this editorial experience and financial knowledge to advise the team on how to create engaging financial content for Australian consumers.

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Jack Dona
RG146
Money writer

Jack is RG146 Generic Knowledge certified, with a Bachelor of Communications in Creative Writing from UTS, and uses his creative flair to cut through the financial jargon and make home loans, insurance and banking interesting. His reader-first approach to creating content and his passion for financial literacy means he always looks for innovative ways to explain personal finance. Jack's research and explanations have been featured in government publications, and his work is regularly featured alongside major publications in Google's Top Stories for Insurance.

More term deposit FAQs

What happens if I break a term deposit account?

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

What does the 31 day term deposit notice period mean?

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.  

Are there any restrictions to opening a term deposit?

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.   

Do I pay tax on the interest earned from my term deposit?

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. 

Where can I get 5% interest on my money in Australia?

At the moment, some of the leaders in a few term categories are offering rates around 5%. To find out some of the highest rates of the month, check out our article on how term deposit rates are doing.

Is it worth putting money in a term deposit?

Term deposits can be worth considering if you're looking for a low-risk, guaranteed return on your savings. They can be good if you have a lump of cash you don't need to access for a while and want to lock in a good rate before rates fall. However, this is a double edged sword as you may miss out on rising interest rates too. 


Term Deposit Reviews

Commonwealth Bank Term Deposit
Overall 8/10
Poor interest rates

I found products , services , very good the down side is there other places with slity higher interest rates other than that there excellent

Read full review

I found products , services , very good the down side is there other places with slity higher interest rates other than that there excellent

Price
6/10
Features
10/10
Customer service
10/10
Convenience
8/10
Trust
10/10
Less
Scott, Queensland, reviewed 8 days ago
HSBC Term Deposit
Overall 10/10
Exactly what I want

I love my term deposit accounts. They're easy to manage online, I can choose how long I want to park my money and what to do on expiry. The website is super easy to use and the interest rates are great.

Read full review

I love my term deposit accounts. They're easy to manage online, I can choose how long I want to park my money and what to do on expiry. The website is super easy to use and the interest rates are great.

Price
10/10
Features
10/10
Customer service
10/10
Convenience
10/10
Trust
10/10
Less
Julie, Victoria, reviewed 8 days ago
Defence Bank Term Deposit
Overall 9/10
Best bank I have ever dealt with

I have been banking with Defence Bank for over 30 years. They have been fantastic to deal with and always friendly and helpful. Their service is excellent and every interaction I have had with them has been positive. I’m so glad I switched to Defence Bank.

Read full review

I have been banking with Defence Bank for over 30 years. They have been fantastic to deal with and always friendly and helpful. Their service is excellent and every interaction I have had with them has been positive. I’m so glad I switched to Defence Bank.

Price
9/10
Features
9/10
Customer service
9/10
Convenience
9/10
Trust
9/10
Less
Carolyn, New South Wales, reviewed 8 days ago

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