Our verdict

This bank account encourages young Australians to save with a competitive interest rate, easy conditions and no account keeping fees.

This account offers a decent ongoing interest rate of 4.75% each month you grow your balance by any amount. The one catch is you can only open it if you’re under 25. But once you’ve got the account, you can keep it for life and you’ll continue to earn the competitive interest rate. You can also open this account for your child, and the relaxed account conditions make it a great first savings account.

It's not the highest rate in the market, but in comparison to a lot of other savings accounts, the conditions are very easy to meet. You could grow your balance by $5 or $500 over the month and either way you’d be eligible to earn interest. You’re allowed to make withdrawals, but just remember you need to replace the amount you withdraw plus a little bit extra to ensure your balance is higher at the end of the month than it was at the start. This is also great motivation to keep your savings growing.

If you’re not under 25, don’t worry, there are many other savings accounts with great rates available in the market.

Pros

Ongoing, variable bonus rate available
Simple monthly account conditions
Free internet, mobile and phone banking
Can be linked to an Access Account to transfer money in and out

Cons

Must be 25 when first opening the account
Interest rate isn't as high as others in the market

Details

Key details

Product Name	Greater Bank Life Saver
Maximum Variable Rate	4.75% p.a.
Standard Variable Rate	4.75% p.a.
Monthly Account Fee	$0
Minimum Opening Deposit	$1

Key features

$1 minimum balance

The minimum account opening and ongoing balance requirement of this account is just $1.

Earn up to 4.75% p.a. interest

The money in your Life Saver Account earns 4.75% p.a. interest each month you grow your balance by any amount. Greater Bank calculates interest daily and pays it monthly.

Easy access to the account

Account holders get free access to Greater Bank's Internet, mobile and phone banking systems. You can use these platforms to transfer money to and from this account to your linked Greater Bank everyday account (if you have one). You can also make deposits and withdrawals by visiting any Greater Bank branch.

No debit or access card

This account does not come with any debit or access card, as it's designed to help you save not spend your money.

Link to a Greater Bank Access account

You can link your account to a Greater Bank Access Account in your name. Doing this simplifies how you move money in and out of your account. You can also benefit through fee free banking for your Access Account provided you meet a balance condition with respect to your Life Saver Account. When you turn 25, you'll have to pay Access Savings Account related fees even if you meet the balance condition.

After you turn 18

Once you turn 18 years old Greater Bank automatically removes any benefactors linked to the account. You then get to operate your account individually.

Account keeping fees

The Life Saver Account does not attract any ongoing monthly fees.

How to apply

Eligibility

You can apply for the Life Saver account online or by visiting your nearest Greater Bank branch. Before applying, make sure you meet the required eligibility criteria:

Minimum age. You should be less than 25 years of age. If Greater Bank determines that an applicant under 18 years of age cannot understand the account's terms and conditions it may refuse to open an account unless the applicant appoints a benefactor.
Residency requirements. You should be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

Depository requirements. You can open this account with as little as $1.

Documentation needed

In order to complete the application successfully you'll have to provide different kinds of information:

Identification. If you're a new Greater Bank customer you'll have to go through an identity verification process, as required by the law. You can verify your identity online using an acceptable form of ID such as your Australian driver's license or passport.
Tax file number. If you don't want Greater Bank to deduct withholding tax from the interest you earn, submit your tax file number.
Other information. This includes your name, date of birth, home address, email address and phone number.

What happens after I submit my application?

After you submit your application and complete your ID check you receive details about accessing your account online via SMS and email. Before you can start using your account you'll have to verify an authorisation code you receive via SMS.

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Alison Finder

Editor

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Clare

April 06, 2024

Is there a balance limit for the interest rate?

Angus Kidman Finder

September 23, 2024

Hi Clare, Greater doesn’t specify an upper balance limit for earning interest. Note however than deposits of more than $250,000 are not covered under the FCS deposit guarantee, so you generally wouldn’t want more than that held with any single bank. Hope this helps.

Mary

May 04, 2022

Can I open an account for my one-year-old daughter?

Alison Banney Finder

May 16, 2022

Hi Mary,

Yes, you can open this account for your child. However, if they’re under 18 you need to do this in a branch (you can’t apply online for children).

You can act as a signatory on the account for the child and will need to bring your ID along too.

Hope this helps,

Alison

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Greater Bank Life Saver Account