Finder's best savings accounts for April 2026
- Best bonus savings account rate: ING Savings Maximiser
- Best intro rate savings account: Ubank Save Account
- Best no conditions savings account: Macquarie Savings Account
- Best savings account for large balances: Suncorp Bank Growth Saver Account
- Best Big Four bank savings account: Westpac Life (18-34 year olds only)
- Best kids savings account: Great Southern Bank Youth eSaver Account (0-17 year olds only)
How we choose our top savings account picks
Each month we assess 150+ savings accounts in our databse and assign each a Finder Score out of 10. Our data-driven Finder Score ranks savings accounts based on rates, fees, account conditions and restrictions. Put simply, the savings accounts with the highest Finder Scores allow you to earn the most amount of interest on your money, for the least amount of effort.
Once we get the accounts with the highest scores (8+), we then look at these to select the account that we feel best suits each of the different savings account categories featured above.
In sereral categories the account was chosen as it was a winner in the latest Finder Awards.
How to pick the best savings account
These are the 4 main things to look for when you're choosing a savings account:
1. A high interest rate
The higher the rate, the more interest you can earn. The best savings rates at the moment all start with a 5.
Check if the high interest rate on offer is an ongoing rate available each month, or if it's an intro rate only on offer for a few months. If it's the latter, set yourself a reminder to consider switching accounts after the intro period is over when the rate drops down to the lower, standard rate.
2. Conditions you can easily meet
Most of the best savings rates will require you to deposit a set amount each month (anywhere from $20-$2000) and perhaps also limit withdrawals or make a number of purchases.
Make sure you can comfortably meet the monthly conditions before opening the account. If you can't, you'll only earn the variable base rate which is often very low.
Want a no-hoops savings account?
Compare more savings accounts that have no conditions.
3. Balance limits that suit your savings
Some savings accounts only offer the maximum interest rate on smaller balances up to $10,000, while others are up to $5 million. Depending on the size of your savings balance, make sure that the account you choose pays interest on your entire balance (or at least most of it).
4. A low-fee, linked transaction account
If you're planning to open a transaction account along with your savings account with the same bank (a lot of these are opened as a pair automatically), don't forget to check out the fees and charges for that account too. Because savings accounts don't charge fees, but some transaction accounts do.
"Of course the interest rate is important when choosing a savings account, but I always tell people that the account conditions are just as - if not more - important. There's no point choosing the account with the highest rate if you're going to be pushed to your limit meeting the deposit conditions each month.
Savings account rates change quite frequently - what's best one month might not be best the next. So you're better off choosing a good account with conditions you can easily meet and other features that suit you. Because if you opt for the account with the highest rate but then you can't meet the conditions, you'll likely earn no interest at all.
You still want to make sure you have an account with one of the best rates in the market as this will make a huge difference to the amount of interest you can earn - it just doesn't have the be the absolute highest rate available."
The best savings rate vs an average savings rate
How much difference does the interest rate on your savings account make, really? It's actually more than you might think!
Let's assume you have a savings balance of $40,000 and you're able to deposit $1,000 per month. Here's how much interest you'll earn over 1, 3 and 5 years if your savings account has a below-average rate (2.00% p.a.), an above-average rate (3.50% p.a.) or a market-leading rate (5.50% p.a.).
| Bonus interest rate | Interest after 1 year | Interest after 3 years | Interest after 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00% p.a. | $938 | 3,603 | $7,356 |
| 3.5% p.a. | $1,653 | $6,432 | $13,295 |
| 5.50% p.a. | $2,620 | $10,380 | $21,825 |
As you can see, you could earn quite a lot more money by simply switching to one of the best savings account rates in the market.
FAQs on best savings accounts
Sources
Ask a question
77 Responses
More guides on Finder
-
ING vs Macquarie: Savings accounts compared
Compare ING Savings Maximiser and Macquarie Savings Account. See rates, features, fees and which suits you best.
-
Savings accounts with no conditions
These savings accounts let you earn a decent ongoing interest rate on your cash with no annoying hoops to jump through.
-
Finder Parenting Report 2023
From pocket money to personal loans, Finder’s Parenting Report investigates how Australians are raising their children in 2023.
-
ME HomeME Savings Account
You can earn a really impressive ongoing bonus rate of 5.1% p.a., however you need to deposit $2,000 per month.
-
Bankwest Easy Saver account
The Bankwest Easy Saver account offers a bonus rate for the first 4 months, then an ongoing standard variable rate with no conditions to meet.
-
Bank of Queensland Simple Saver Account
Check out out review of the Bank of Queensland Simple Saver Account.
-
High interest savings accounts Australia
Kickstart your savings plan with a high interest savings account.
-
Kids savings accounts
Encourage your children to save with a savings account.
-
Savings interest calculator
Our range of simple calculators can help you plan your finances and compare potential interest earned.
What’s the best account for me. I will deposit $700 per month $175 per week and leave it alone for 12 months.
Hi Craig,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
You may consider putting the funds into a 12-month term deposit. Please use our table to help find the provider that suits you. When you are ready, press the “Go to site” button to apply. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Which savings bank accounts are open to those applying for Australian citizenship?
Hi RB,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
If you are not an Australian resident or citizen yet, you may refer to our list of migrant bank accounts and saving accounts for temporary residents. You can use our comparison table to help you find the account that suits you. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I want to open a savings account with another bank other than Westpac (closed today because of bad service), have a bank cheque), to have DEFT and other payments deducted. Commonwealth? St George? Bank West? ANZ? Bendigo Bank?
Hi Harimau,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
Since we are a comparison website and can’t recommend a specific savings account to you, the best thing to do is to check your options that would best suit your needs.
I can see that you are viewing this page for high-interest savings accounts. When choosing a high-interest savings account, you may need to factor in which type are you needing. Would you be needing a savings account with a bonus rate or would you be needing one with an introductory rate?
You can also compare bonus saver accounts if you want an account that pays extra interest each month you top up your savings.
On the other hand, you may check our list of introductory savings accounts.
Once you have chosen a particular account, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Judith
Hi there – are there any savings accounts available for immigrants living in Australia on 457 (Temporary Skilled Work) Visas? I have a TFN, and my permanent residency application is in process.
Many thanks,
Sam
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Many banks have migrant services to help facilitate the process of opening a bank account in Australia. You can find more about this from our guide in opening an Australian bank account. Charges will be dependent on what type of account you open with each bank. Please contact the bank directly to discuss the best account for your situation.
Before applying, please ensure that you read through the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
Hope this information helps
Cheers,
Arnold
Bank of Melbourne is advertising 3% on Maxi Saver yet mums only getting 2.75% and me worse 2.55%.
Hi Zdravko!
The bonus 2% introductory offer is only for the first 3 months from account opening and is subject to tax and other changes imposed by the bank.
You may want to verify this with the bank directly.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan