Compare term deposit rates in Australia

You can compare a range of Australian term deposits with competitive interest rates and different term lengths in this guide. In the table below, start by entering your deposit amount and number of months you intend to invest for. Then click on "Calculate" to see how much interest you can earn.

Term Deposit Offer

Judo Bank Term Deposit

2.35 % p.a.

fixed for 60 months

Term Deposit Offer

Earn a 0.10% p.a. loyalty bonus when you roll over your term.
The Judo Bank Term Deposit term lengths range from six months to five years. Minimum opening deposit is $1,000. No account-keeping or set-up fees to pay.

• Minimum investment: $1,000
• Monthly fees: $0

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Compare term deposit rates

Compare popular term deposit interest rates

Compare ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac term deposit rates for a $5,000 deposit in a 6-month term below.

Product	Interest rate	Min. deposit
ANZ term deposit	0.75% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000
CBA term deposit	1.25% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000
NAB term deposit	1.1% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000
Westpac term deposit	1.15% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000

In comparison, some other banks in Australia seem to offer more competitive interest rates for 6-month term deposits compared to the Big Four.

Product	Interest rate	Min. deposit
Judo Bank Term deposit	1.95% p.a. for 6 months	$1,000
RACQ bank term deposit	1.75% p.a. for 6 months	$1,000
Bankwest online term deposit	1.55% p.a. for 6 months	$1,000
CUA term deposit	1.75% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000
MyState bank online term deposit	1.7% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000
Ubank term deposit	1.7% p.a. for 6 months	$1,000
ME term deposit	1.75% p.a. for 6 months	$5,000
Bank of Sydney term deposit online exclusive	1.9% p.a. for 6 months	$1,000

Read this guide to compare some of Australia's best term deposit interest rates for February 2020.

What is a term deposit and why should you invest in one?

A term deposit is a type of savings account that is opened for a certain period of time. During this period your money is locked, so you won't be able to access it (penalties apply if you do). In exchange, your money earns interest according to the interest rate offered by the financial institution when opening the account. This interest rate is fixed, meaning it won't change throughout the life of the term. After the period has ended, you can choose to reinvest a portion or all of the funds at the interest rate stated by your bank, or you can withdraw the funds.

Term deposits are widely considered to be a safe, low-risk investment as, unlike savings accounts, they offer a guaranteed return through a fixed interest rate. Because your money is locked away, banks often offer a higher interest rate on some term deposits than they do on regular savings accounts. If you have a chunk of money you know you won’t need for a while, a term deposit could be a good option. It removes the temptation to spend the money as you'll need to pay a fee if you wish to withdraw before the term is finished.

Term deposit versus savings account

The main difference between a savings account and a term deposit is the ability to access your money. The money in a savings account can be accessed whenever you need it, and there's no costs for withdrawing or depositing money. Term deposits are locked and will charge you if you need to withdraw your money early. So if you want easy access to your money, then a term deposit might not be right for you.

Another key difference is the interest rate; savings accounts have variable interest rates meaning they can change, while term deposits have fixed interest rates meaning the rate will not change until the term matures.

Term Deposit vs High-interest Savings: What's best for you?

How to compare term deposits

Like most financial products, there is no best term deposit account. The account that suits your needs and circumstance the best is the one you should choose. But what is best for you, might not be best for someone else. You should look for:

• A competitive interest rate
• A term length that suits you
• A minimum deposit amount you're comfortable with

Ask these questions when comparing term deposits:

• How often interest is calculated is it compounded?
• do any ongoing fees apply?
• What happens if you break the term of your deposit?
• Can you withdraw a portion of the deposit without incurring a penalty?
• How often will you receive statements?
• Can you easily check on the balance in your account (for example with a mobile banking app)?
• What happens to the deposit when it matures? For example, will it automatically roll over into another term deposit?

Compare term deposit rates based on duration

If you have a specific term length for which you want to lock away your savings and earn interest, it's crucial to compare the different interest rates available for your desired term length. Use our term length guides below to compare term deposit interest rates for various term deposit lengths.

Can't decide on a term length? Read our guide on choosing between a long-term vs short-term deposit.

Do I have to pay tax on a term deposit?

Yes. If you’ve invested money in a term deposit, you will need to pay tax on the interest income you earn. The amount of tax you'll need to pay on your term deposit interest will depend on your overall taxable income, and it will also depend on when you receive your interest payments.

Paying tax on your term deposit

As an Australian resident you must pay tax on any income you earn each financial year, and this includes the interest you earn from savings accounts and term deposits. Read our guide to find out how this works.

Read this guide to find out how your term deposit will be taxed

More questions about term deposits

• How does the RBA cash rate affect my term deposit?

  The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) cash rate is one of the factors that bank's consider when setting their interest rates for deposit products. Given that the RBA aims to keep inflation between 2 - 3%, an interest rate of 2.5% or lower on your term deposit could mean that your investment isn't keeping up with inflation. Term deposits, like other investments, are great when the RBA cash rate is high. But when the cash rate is low, you may want to seek alternatives, such as shares.

• Is now a good time to invest in a term deposit?

  Generally a good time to invest in a term deposit is when the RBA cash rate is high, as this normally results in higher interest rates for savings products.

• What are the downsides of a term deposit?

  The downside of a term deposit is that you can’t access your money while it is in the account. If you do need to make a withdrawal you'll need to give at least 31 days notice and you’ll be charged a fee for accessing your money before the term has been completed. You could also be charged an interest rate penalty, which could defeat the purpose of the investment in the first place. In cases of extreme financial hardship this rule can be waived."

• How do I close my term deposit?

  If your term deposit has reached maturity, that is, has reached the end of the agreed period then you withdraw all the funds like a regular bank account. However, if your term deposit is still maturing, then your bank will charge a penalty for withdrawing your funds early. To do this, you'll need to get in touch with your bank directly.

• I'm not an Australian resident, can I open a term deposit?

  Most banks will require an Australian residential address in order to open a term deposit.