Savings Account Interest Rates

Find the savings account with the most competitive interest rate when you compare your options with Savvy.

Written by 
Savvy Editorial Team
Savvy's content writing team are professionals with a wide and diverse range of industry experience and topic knowledge. We write across a broad spectrum of finance-related topics to provide our readers with informative resources to help them learn more about a certain area or enable them to decide on which product is best for their needs with careful comparison. Meet the team behind the operation here. Visit our authors page to meet Savvy's expert writing team, committed to delivering informative and engaging content to help you make informed financial decisions.
Our authors
, updated on July 28th, 2023       

Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.

Compare savings accounts

Are you looking to grow your savings?  Compare a wide range of savings accounts with Savvy so you find the best deal in Australia and the highest interest rate to help grow your savings.  

site-logos Up Savers Account
  Maximum interest rate Base interest rate Introductory offer period Government guarantee  
site-logos 4.35% 0.00% N/A Yes
Go to site

Use invite code SAVVY10 for $10 upon successful sign-up. (Refer to offer T&Cs on Up website)

More details

Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.

You should always consult a given offer's PDS or further documentation in the process of deciding on which loan to choose, as well as seeking independent, professional advice. If you decide to apply with one of the lenders listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the lender offering that product.

Compare and find a savings account with a top interest rate

When you’re opening a savings account, picking a strong interest rate can be the key to boosting your bank balance. Understanding the different types of rates, what their conditions are and how they benefit you can make achieving those savings goals easier.

Learn how to compare savings accounts, including interest rate offers, and find the best one for you right here with Savvy to start boosting your funds today.

What types of interest rates can I compare on a savings account?

Standard rates

Your savings account will come with a standard variable interest rate, which is the base rate you’ll earn interest on. When comparing the best savings account interest rates, it’s always worth looking out for a competitive base rate. If you can’t meet special terms on your accounts, such as minimum deposits, this will be the rate through which you earn interest.

Interest is earned on a compounding basis. Reportedly called the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ by Albert Einstein, compound interest is one of the best ways to grow the interest you earn in your account. It allows you to earn interest on your savings and interest, making it different from loans where you only pay interest on your outstanding principal. You can use Savvy’s fuss-free compound interest calculator to see how your savings can grow over time.

Bonus rates

You can earn a higher interest rate if you meet certain requirements set by a financial institution on your savings account. This could reach up to 1% to 2% more than the base rate. Some of the conditions institutions place on accounts, and are important to compare, include:

  • Minimum monthly deposit benchmarks
  • Limited or no withdrawals
  • Requiring your balance be above or below certain limits
  • Transferring a certain amount each month to a linking account

Honeymoon rates

Financial institutions offer these rates to entice customers to open savings accounts. They remain high for the initial few months after opening a savings account before dropping to a lower standard variable rate. If you’re considering this type of savings account, it’s important you check how long your high interest lasts and whether you need to pay a minimum deposit, as well as what it’ll revert to after the honeymoon period.

Term deposit interest rates

Putting your money in a locked account, such as a term deposit, allows you to achieve higher base interest rates. These rates increase the longer you choose to keep your money locked up. Widely seen as one of the safest types of savings accounts to park your funds, they have fixed interest rates where most others have variable rates, meaning you can guarantee a set return if you leave your funds untouched for an agreed period.

What can affect the interest I earn in my savings account?

Your rate

Obviously, the rate you get on your savings account will be a major factor. You’ll be looking for the highest rate the market has to offer. For instance, if you opened an account with $5,000 at a rate of 0.5% p.a. and made monthly deposits of $500, you would earn $1,768 in interest over ten years, but if you opened an account with the same variables at a rate of 1% p.a., you would earn $3,601 in interest.

Deposits

Making frequent deposits will earn you more interest. Interest on savings accounts is compounded daily, which means it can benefit your bank balance to pay a smaller amount weekly or fortnightly rather than putting down a lump sum every month. Some institutions require a minimum deposit before you can open an account, such as a term deposit. These can be between $1,000 and $5,000. They may also require you to deposit a minimum monthly amount to gain access to a higher interest rate. If you're still scratching your head, Savvy’s savings deposit goal calculator is a good way of checking how much you’ll regularly need to pay to reach your goal.

Withdrawals

Resisting the temptation to touch your savings will pay off when it comes to the interest earned on your account. Many institutions will give you a certain number of free withdrawals. Accounts with bonus interest conditions can also make earning a higher interest rate conditional on meeting requirements such as minimum withdrawals.

Cash rate

Interest rates on online savings accounts can see-saw in line with the cash rate regularly set by Australia’s central bank. It’s influenced by variables such as the country’s economy, unemployment and inflation. If the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifts rates, the interest you earn will grow, whereas if the rates drop, you’ll earn less (provided your financial institution passes on rate increases and decreases).

Fees and charges

There are plenty of ‘fee-free’ banks on the market. However, there are some which charge you to park your money in a savings account. When you’re comparing the best savings accounts, it’s good to keep one eye on the charges. These can come in many forms, including fees for account keeping or using another merchant’s ATM system. If the cost of storing your cash outweighs the interest you’re earning, it could make your savings counterproductive.

Why is it important to get the best interest rate?

The better your savings account interest rate, the more return you’ll get on the money you’ve invested. You’re looking for a savings account with high interest to maximise your cash growth. For example, if you opened a savings account with a rate of 1% and deposited $300 every month, you would earn $159 in interest over three years. However, if you had a rate of 1.5%, this would increase to $240. When you’re shopping around and comparing the best deals, use Savvy’s savings calculator to help make picking a rate easier. 

Types of savings account

Why compare savings accounts with Savvy?

Top tips for finding the best interest rate

Interest conditions

Find an account with manageable interest rate conditions. Institutions can often require you to meet several conditions to earn a high interest rate. Ensure you can comfortably meet these before opening an account to avoid missing out on the interest you’re looking for.

Be clear on your savings goals

Having a clear idea of how much you want to save, and over how long, gives you some guidance over interest rates. For instance, if you’re a saver who’ll be making regular deposits and few withdrawals, a high interest savings account could be the best fit for you.

Be wary of introductory rates

Honeymoon rates can be a real boon, but you need to make sure they’re suitable for your savings goals, such as if you’re looking at an aggressive high-deposit savings strategy, as opposed to low and slow saving.

Compare your options with Savvy

Using Savvy’s easy-to-follow side-by-side table, you’ll be able to compare interest rates and any other relevant features to find the one that gives you the biggest return on your cash reserve

Frequently asked interest rate questions

How are interest rates determined?

The RBA meets monthly to determine the cash rate based on the health of the national and global economy. Once a cash rate is set, it’s up to a financial institution to pass on these costs or savings to their customers.

Can I extend my term deposit to keep my interest rate?

Extending your term deposit isn’t an option. However, you’re able to renew once it has run its course. If you do renew, there’s no guarantee you’ll hold onto your current interest rate. It’s important to remember you’ll get a higher interest rate if you take out a longer term.

What’s the difference between compound interest and simple interest?

Simple interest usually applies to term deposits and is the return you get on deposits made to a savings account. Compound interest is the money you make on both your deposits and interest already accumulated. Under simple interest, your money grows at the same pace for the length of your term, but under compound interest, this pace accelerates the longer you leave your money in your account.

Will I earn more interest by opening a joint account with my partner?

Potentially – if you’re both making deposits into the account, your balance will naturally be bigger and the interest you earn will be greater overall. Joint accounts often offer bonus interest for making minimum monthly deposits, meaning you can further boost the interest you earn.

How often is my interest paid?

Interest earned on a savings account is usually paid every 30 days and can be compounded daily, weekly or monthly depending on the account you open.

Is it a good idea to regularly switch banks to take advantage of better interest rates?

This depends on your own circumstances and savings goals. There’s no harm in shifting to a new account if its conditions are in your best interest. While you’ll likely focus on finding a better savings account interest rate than your current one, remember to also review your prospective account’s fees.

Our savings calculators

Helpful guides on savings accounts

Opening a savings account banner

Opening a Savings Account

Gone are the days when opening a savings account meant lining up at a bricks-and-mortar bank and filling out a...

Types of savings account banner

Types of Savings Accounts

Whether you’re saving for a special day or a rainy one, banks offer many types of accounts to help you...

Best savings accounts banner

Best Savings Accounts

Compare savings accounts Are you looking to grow your savings?  Compare a wide range of savings accounts with Savvy so...

What is a savings account banner

What is a Savings Account?

A savings account gives you a safe place to store your money, no matter your age. Simply pop your funds...