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Kids bank and savings accounts

We've rounded up some of the top kids' bank accounts so your child can start saving for the future and learning how to manage money.

Name Finder Score Maximum Variable Rate p.a. Standard Variable Rate p.a. Intro/Ongoing Government Guarantee Monthly Max Rate Conditions
Suncorp Bank Growth Saver Account
Suncorp Bank logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.05%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
0.35%
Intro/Ongoing
Ongoing
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Grow balance by $200 each month (excl. interest)
  • Only 1 withdrawal
  • No balance limit on earning interest
Go to siteView details
Ubank High Interest Save Account
Ubank logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.50%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
0.00%
Intro/Ongoing
Ongoing
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Deposit $500
  • Savings up to $100,000
Go to siteView details
Macquarie Savings Account
Macquarie Bank logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.50%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
5.00%
Intro/Ongoing
4 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Balances up to $250,000
Go to siteView details
Newcastle Permanent Smart Saver Account
Newcastle Permanent logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
4.50%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
0.05%
Intro/Ongoing
Ongoing
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Grow balance
  • No more than 2 withdrawals
Go to siteView details
First Option Bank Savings+Bonus Account
First Option Bank logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.00%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
2.00%
Intro/Ongoing
Ongoing
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Deposit $100
  • No withdrawals
  • Balances up to $249,999
Go to siteView details
Rabobank High Interest Savings Account
Rabobank logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.60%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
4.35%
Intro/Ongoing
4 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Balances up to $250,000
View details
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May 2024 editorial picks for best kids bank accounts by type:

Here are our picks for the best kids savings and transaction accounts this month. You can also see alternative prepaid card and money app products that are also really useful for young savers.

Best kids savings account - Great Southern Bank Youth eSaver Account

Great Southern Bank Youth eSaver Account (0-17 year olds only)

5.5%
Max variable rate p.a.
5.5%
Base interest rate p.a.
$0
Minimum deposit
The Great Southern Bank Youth eSaver Account is the best youth savings account. If you're aged between 0 and 17 you can get this ongoing variable rate of 5.5% p.a. Available on balances up to $5,000.
  • Won the Best Kid Savings Account in 2023 Finder Awards
  • No monthly fee
  • Competitive interest rate for under 17s
  • No monthly deposit conditions to meet
  • Age restrictions apply
  • Interest only available on balances up to $5,000
Rewards program N/A
Annual Fee $0
Purchase Rate
Welcome offer
Interest-free period Up to days on purchases
Balance transfer N/A
Bonus points N/A
Rewards points per $ spent N/A
Foreign currency conversion fee

Best kids transaction account - Macquarie Transaction Account

Macquarie Bank Transaction Account

$0
Monthly fee
$0
ATM withdrawal fees
Mastercard

Debit Card
The Macquarie Transaction Account is one of the best bank accounts in the market if you're wanting to also earn interest on your balance. Your bank account balance will earn 2.75% p.a. interest with no conditions to meet, helping you save more money. It also has no account keeping fees, no international ATM fees and pays a refund on any local ATM fees charged.
  • Earn interest on your balance
  • No ATM fees
  • No international purchase fees
  • No monthly account keeping fees
  • Convenient on-the-go banking with the mobile banking app
  • No branch access
Rewards program N/A
Annual Fee $0
Purchase Rate
Welcome offer
Interest-free period Up to days on purchases
Balance transfer N/A
Bonus points N/A
Rewards points per $ spent N/A
Foreign currency conversion fee

Kids' prepaid card and money apps

If you want to teach your child how to spend and save in a safe, kid-friendly way, you could try a prepaid card linked to a money app.

These apps let you set spending limits, track chores and pay pocket money. There is a monthly subscription fee.

Kit: Kids prepaid card and money app

$3 per month
Membership fee
$0
ATM withdrawal fees
Visa
prepaid card

Card
Kit offers a prepaid Visa card and app for kids aged 5–14 so they can learn how to manage their pocket money and develop good money habits.
  • Set spending controls and limits from your parent account
  • Receive physical and digital prepaid Visa cards
  • Set jobs and pay pocket money with interactive in-app tools
  • Membership fees from $3/month for 1 child, or $5/month for 2+ children
Rewards program N/A
Annual Fee $0
Purchase Rate
Welcome offer
Interest-free period Up to days on purchases
Balance transfer N/A
Bonus points N/A
Rewards points per $ spent N/A
Foreign currency conversion fee

Spriggy

$5 per month
Membership fee

ATM withdrawal fees
Visa
prepaid card

Card
Spriggy is a mobile app with a linked prepaid card which helps Australian parents and their kids to manage their money together and track their progress in a fun, interactive app.
  • 30-day free trial available
  • Customised prepaid debit card
  • Safe and convenient
  • 3.5% surcharge for international purchases
  • Membership fee charged as annual lump sum payment
Rewards program N/A
Annual Fee $0
Purchase Rate
Welcome offer
Interest-free period Up to days on purchases
Balance transfer N/A
Bonus points N/A
Rewards points per $ spent N/A
Foreign currency conversion fee

Sarah Megginson's headshot

"In an increasingly cash-less society, I underestimated how much card access my 12-year-old would need. Even her school tuckshop doesn't accept cash! Finding a savings account with a debit card and importantly, one we could add to her phone, was an unexpected part of our journey."

Head of editorial

How we chose these bank accounts

Every month at Finder we examine all the savings accounts in our database and determine our top picks for different types of customer.

When picking our top kid's savings account and kids' transaction account, we judge products based on these factors:

  • Interest rate. Our savings account picks have competitive interest rates.
  • Monthly fees. We pick products with low or $0 ongoing fees. This way your kid's pocket money won't get eaten up by monthly account fees.
  • Minimum account balance. We exclude accounts that require you to have a large amount of money in the account, as this is not suitable for kids.
  • Age restrictions. We pick accounts that are available to under 18s.
  • Account conditions. We don't pick accounts that require savers to meet too many conditions in order to earn more interest or hold the account. Kids need simple accounts.

Is there a difference between bank and savings accounts for kids?

There are 2 types of bank accounts:

  • Savings accounts. You use this account to hold your savings long term and earn some interest. It is not designed for spending.
  • Transaction accounts. You use this account for everyday spending via a debit card. You might be able to earn some interest, but the account is mainly for spending.

Kids savings accounts

Most parents open a savings account for their kid first. This lets them slowly build up money for their child's future while earning interest. And it gives their kid a place to put pocket money or birthday/Christmas money.

The best kids savings accounts encourage saving with a decent interest rate. Some offer a base rate only, while others encourage kids to save with a bonus rate. You only earn the bonus rate if you meet specific conditions, such as saving a certain amount each month.

Kids transaction accounts

As children reach their teens they might also need a transaction account with a debit card. This gives older children a bit of financial independence and the opportunity to learn how to responsibly use their money.

How to compare savings accounts for children

  • High interest rate. An account with a high interest rate means your child can earn a bit more interest on their savings.
  • Low fees. A good kids savings account should have few if any fees. A small monthly fee could quickly eat away at your child's previous savings and discourage them.
  • Minimum age requirements. Some banks let you open a savings account at any age. Some banks require the child to be 12 or older. It's important to check before trying to open an account.
  • Minimal account conditions. An ideal kids bank account will have a low minimum opening balance, and won't require large deposits every month to qualify for the bonus interest rate.
  • Money management tools. A good kids bank account offers app functionality or an online account so your child can watch their savings grow and learn how to manage their money. Some banks won't let a child open an online account until they're 14, or may require parental approval.
Sarah Megginson's headshot
Our expert says

"My husband once sold an old digital drum kit online for $100. A 10-year-old kid arrived with his mum to pick it up – he'd saved his pocket money. It was so wholesome, and a reminder that kids are never too young to learn about money! And you're their biggest influence. You can help your child build really positive money values with things like pocket money for chores, setting saving goals, and chatting about how you handle your budget."

Head of editorial

How does bonus interest work on a kids' bank account?

Some banks encourage children to save a little money each month with a bonus rate. A savings account might have a base rate of 2.00%, but a bonus rate that takes the total rate up to 5.00% if you meet the conditions.

This might be saving a minimum amount each month or not making any withdrawals. Here are some examples.

Kids savings accountBonus interest rateConditions for bonus rate
MyState Bank Bonus Saver Account5%Deposit $20 per month and make 5 transactions from a linked MyState bank account.
Westpac Bump Savings Account5%Make at least 1 deposit per month, keep your balance above $0 and grow your balance each month. You can make withdrawals.
Commonwealth Bank Youth Saver Account5%Make at least 1 deposit per month and no withdrawals.
ANZ Progress Saver for Kids4.25%Deposit $10 per month and make no withdrawals.
Suncorp Kids Savings Account4.45%Deposit $20 per month and make no withdrawals.

How do I open a bank account for my child?

If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child, you can open a bank account for them at any age. Depending on the age of your child and the bank's policy, you may be able to open a bank account online. Or you may have to visit a branch.

You'll need to provide:

  • Evidence of the child's identification. You can use a birth certificate, Medicare card, passport or driver's license (for older kids).
  • Identification for yourself. You should also bring your own ID and proof of your relationship to your child. This includes a Medicare card or birth certificate.

You can choose to be an authorised party on your child's bank account. This gives you some level of access or control over the account. But the level of access depends on the account and the age of your child.

How the Finder Score helps you find a better savings account

The Finder Score is a simple score out of 10. The higher a savings account's score, the better we think it is for the average customer.

We score each savings account in our database of hundreds based on a data-driven methodology with 2 main criteria: Does the account offer a high interest rate? And is it easy for savers to actually earn that rate?

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions on children's savings accounts

Serina Bird is a proud frugalista who has amassed a multi-million dollar portfolio through frugal living and investing. She is the author of several books, including How To Pay Your Mortgage Off in 10 Years, The Joyful Frugalista and The Joyful Startup Guide, and host of The Joyful Frugalista podcast.

Serina Bird's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been reviewed by Serina Bird, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.
Alison Banney's headshot
Written by

Editor

Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds. See full bio

Alison's expertise
Alison has written 626 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Superannuation
  • Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
  • Budgeting and money-saving hacks
  • Managing the cost of living

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