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Online savings accounts

An online savings account is an account that you manage completely online via Internet banking or a mobile banking app, rather than at a bank branch. You can access your account online at any hour of the day, and when you're out-and-about. Most savings accounts today can be managed online.

Online savings accounts you can open in minutes

1 - 12 of 184
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
ING Savings Accelerator ($150,000 - $500,000)
ING logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.40%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
4.70%
Intro/Ongoing
4 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Welcome rate applies up to $500K
Go to siteView details
Rabobank PremiumSaver
Rabobank logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.35%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
1.45%
Intro/Ongoing
Ongoing
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Grow your balance by $200+ each month
  • Balances up to $250,000
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
ING Savings Maximiser
ING logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.50%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
0.55%
Intro/Ongoing
Ongoing
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Deposit $1,000
  • 5 transactions
  • Grow your balance
  • Balances up to $100,000
Go to siteView details
Get 6 months free delivery and $50 Menulog credit with a new Orange Everyday & Savings Maximiser account. New ING customers only. Use code INGMENU1 and activate accounts by 24 Nov 2024. T&Cs apply.
IMB Reward Saver Account
IMB logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.25%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
0.00%
Intro/Ongoing
4 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Deposit $50
  • No withdrawals
  • Balances up to $1,000,000
Go to siteView details
Earn up to 3.25% p.a. after the introductory period ends.
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
Newcastle Permanent Online Savings Account
Newcastle Permanent logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.20%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
1.00%
Intro/Ongoing
3 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • N/A
Go to siteView details
Bankwest Easy Saver
Bankwest logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.35%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
4.00%
Intro/Ongoing
4 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • Balances up to $250,000.99
Go to siteView details
BCU Bonus Saver
BCU logo
Finder score
Maximum Variable Rate p.a.
5.00%
Standard Variable Rate p.a.
1.00%
Intro/Ongoing
4 months
Government Guarantee
Monthly Max Rate Conditions
  • N/A
Go to siteView details
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Showing 12 of 12 results

What is an online savings account?

An online savings account is an account that you can open and manage online, without needing to go into a bank branch or physical store. You can access your savings balance via Internet banking or the mobile banking app provided by the bank. Plus, you get the flexibility of the internet, so you can access your money 24/7.

Most savings accounts today can be classed as an online savings account, as the majority offer Internet banking and mobile banking. Generally speaking, the best online savings account for you is one with a great interest rate, monthly account conditions you can meet and a mobile app or Internet banking platform that has the features you're looking for.

How do online savings accounts work?

Online savings accounts are designed to help you save money, offering interest on your balance when you keep it in the account. Most accounts will have some monthly conditions to meet to earn a higher interest rate, for example a monthly deposit goal. You can deposit money into your savings account online by transferring it from your everyday bank account. You can also set up direct debits into your savings account if you want to, for example your pay.

Online savings accounts do not come with a debit card, so the only way to access your money is by transferring it to your transaction account using Internet banking or mobile banking. Once you've moved the money to your bank account you can then make purchases using your debit card, shop online or withdraw cash at ATMs.

It's a good idea to link a bank account to your savings account with the same bank. This way, you can easily see both accounts side by side in your mobile banking app, and easily move money between accounts.

Online savings account fees

Online accounts usually don't attract any transfer fees or monthly account-keeping fees, so they offer an inexpensive way to build savings. However, you might be charged account keeping fees on your linked transaction account so be sure to watch out for this.

Online savings account interest rates

Online savings accounts have variable interest rates, meaning they can change at any time with little or no notice. They usually offer a standard interest rate (which you'll earn each month as a minimum), and a bonus interest rate (which you'll earn on top of the standard rate when you meet the conditions). Take a look at the comparison table above to see some of the current interest rates offered on online savings accounts.

Interest on the balance is calculated daily, and deposited into the account at the beginning of the following month.

How to deposit money into an online savings account

There are a few ways to deposit money into your account:

  • Via your bank account. You'll usually need to link your savings account to a bank account, and deposit money into your bank account before transferring it into your savings via Internet banking or mobile banking.
  • Bank@Post. A lot of Australia Post shops offer Bank@Post which allows you to deposit cash at the office into your bank account, without visiting a branch (you'll still need to transfer it from your bank account into your savings account online).
  • In a branch. If your bank does have physical branches, you can choose to deposit cash into your account via a bank branch or smart ATM.
  • Direct debit. You can electronically send money to your account via direct debit (e.g.: your salary).

Benefits of online savings accounts

Online savings account offer a range of benefits, including:

  • You can usually link your online savings account to your regular Australian bank account

Many online banks make it easy to transfer money to and from your linked account. However, some will only let you link a bank account from the same institution. This means that you might have to open a new bank account just for your online savings account.

  • You get 24/7 access to your money

One of the best aspects of an online savings account is that you can usually access your money whenever you like. While the accounts are all accessible online via a web browser, most banks make it even more convenient with mobile banking apps. These allow you to monitor your savings activity even when you are on the go.

  • Your money is safe

Your deposit up to $250,000 in a savings account with an Australian bank is guaranteed by the Australian Government, under the bank guarantee scheme.

  • You get a competitive interest rate

High interest savings accounts usually offer a higher interest rate than standard savings accounts, helping your balance grow. Some of these accounts offer bonus interest each month you meet the account conditions.

  • There are no fees

Generally, an online savings account does not attract any monthly account-keeping fees or transaction fees. Avoid accounts that charge monthly maintenance fees, statement fees and ATM charges.

  • $0 minimum deposit requirements

Some banks may require that you make a minimum deposit when first opening the account, or on an ongoing basis. Understand what you can and can't commit to in terms of deposits to choose the account that's best for you.

  • Flexible transaction limits

Check how many withdrawals you can make per month and how much you can take out. Your daily transfer limit may be capped around the $10,000 mark; you may be able to adjust this by calling the bank.

The downsides of online savings accounts

There are plenty of benefits, but there are also some drawbacks of an online savings account.

  • Needs to be linked to a bank account. Although you won’t have any fees on the account, there may be fees associated with the linked account used to manage it.
  • Can be delayed if funds are from different banks. Funds transfers may not be instant if they are coming from a separate financial institution.
  • Less branches. Some banks are completely online (like ING and ME Bank) and have no bank branches available, and other banks are also reducing their branch numbers. This could be an issue if you do a lot of your banking in a branch.

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

Online savings account FAQs: The most common account questions answered

Do I get instant access to transferred funds?

If your online savings account is linked to a transaction account from the same institution, then you generally do get instant access. However, if the money comes from a different financial organisation, it usually takes up to three business days for the funds to appear in your account.

Can non-residents open an online high-interest savings account in Australia?

No. Even though the account is based online, the account holder must be a resident of Australia with an Australian residential address.

Are the accounts available for businesses?

There are business savings accounts designed specifically for businesses. Business owners need to apply for one of those rather than an account which is structured for personal use only.

Will I have to pay taxes on the interest earned on an online savings account?

Yes, interest is considered income and must be included in your annual tax return. Whether you will have to pay tax on it depends on the amount, your income and your personal circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

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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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8 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    ShabnamApril 8, 2020

    Hi,

    Please send me the newsletter.
    please send me updated news of coronavirus.

    Thanks
    Shabnam

      AvatarFinder
      MayApril 19, 2020Finder

      Hi Shabnam,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      We’re glad that you are interested in the Finder newsletter! A great way to sign up is to check out our guide on which the process is just as quick and easy as it can be.

      Our general newsletter has been very coronavirus-related, so you won’t miss any updates related to the pandemic. Apart from signing up for our email newsletter, if you’ve downloaded the Finder App, you can also get the most updated coronavirus articles and contents. If you haven’t yet, please feel free to download the Finder App.

      Please let us know if you encounter problems when signing up or downloading the app. We can help via live chat. :)

      Best,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    ChristySeptember 24, 2019

    Which bank will give me interest on an account with a large amount that I simply want access to at any time?

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiSeptember 25, 2019

      Hi Christy,

      Thanks for getting in touch! A high interest-earning savings account will be able to give you a bonus interest rate when you meet their bonus criteria such as no withdrawals or minimum deposits for a certain period of time. You can participate in this bonus criteria otherwise you are set to earn the standard variable rate as offered by the banks.

      It would be a good idea to compare your options on the page above, starting by entering the amount you wish to deposit and period of commitment on the calculator found on the table above. Hit calculate and it will show the interest earned per bank. Note that the longer you keep the money in the bank, the more interest you earn. You can also click the compare box beside each bank option and compare up to 4 options side by side for easier comparison. If you need further help, “how to find the best online savings account” is also stated on the page.

      As a friendly reminder, review the eligibility criteria, fees, interest rates, and terms & conditions of this account before applying. You may also contact the bank should you have any questions about their product.

      Hope this helps!

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    BevSeptember 2, 2017

    Why don’t you have Ubank as a comparable option?
    Is there some downside with Ubank that I haven’t noticed?

      Default Gravatar
      LiezlSeptember 4, 2017

      Hi Bev,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products Finder has access to track details from and is not representative of all the products available in the market.

      Moreover, it doesn’t mean that products not featured on this page are subpar to those listed here neither does the product arrangements signify order or ranking. That said, you may check UBank USaver’s rates and features for further details.

      Cheers,
      Liezl

    Default Gravatar
    LayaApril 14, 2016

    I applied for iSaver account. I have account number,there is no answer for my application.

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyApril 15, 2016Finder

      Hi Laya,

      Thanks for your question.

      During your application for the NAB iSaver, you’ll need to link it to an everyday bank account.

      If you’ve opened your account online, you’ll be able to select the option of having your ID verified electronically.

      Otherwise, you’ll need to visit a NAB branch to complete the standard 100-point ID check.

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