Best savings accounts Australia – expert picks

The one time a high rate is awesome. We crunched the numbers on November 2024 savings offers.

Find the best savings account in Australia

If the best savings accounts we have selected are not what you're looking for you can compare over 180 accounts in our database to find the right one for you.

1 - 10 of 184
Name Finder Score Maximum Variable Rate p.a. Standard Variable Rate p.a. Intro/Ongoing Government Guarantee Monthly Max Rate Conditions
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
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
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
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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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

Finder's best savings accounts for November 2024

Best overall savings account

Ubank High Interest Save Account

What we like about Ubank High Interest Save Account:

This account has a Finder Score of 9.7.

  • High ongoing rate. Ubank has a very high ongoing variable interest rate of 5.5% p.a.
  • Simple conditions. To get the maximum variable rate on this account each month you only need to deposit $500. That's a simpler requirement than most high interest savings accounts.
  • Interest on balances up to $100,000. You can earn the maximum variable rate on balances up to $100,000.

Best ongoing rate

ING Savings Maximiser

What we like about ING Savings Maximiser:

This account has a Finder Score of 9.7.

  • Great rate. ING offers one of the highest maximum ongoing variable rates in the market at the moment with 5.5% p.a.
  • Ongoing rate. ING's maximum variable rate is ongoing, as long as you deposit $1,000 into a linked transaction account and make 5+ transactions each month.
  • Interest on balances up to $100,000. You can earn the maximum variable rate on balances up to $100,000.

Best no-conditions savings rate

Macquarie Savings Account

What we like about Macquarie Savings Account:

This account has a Finder Score of 9.18.

  • Great intro rate. This account offers a high rate of 5.5% p.a. for the first 4 months after opening the account.
  • No conditions for bonus interest. You don't need to meet any monthly deposit conditions or spend requirements to earn the bonus intro rate.
  • No ongoing conditions. After the 4-month intro period ends, you'll still earn an ongoing variable rate of 5% p.a. with no conditions to meet.

Best Big Four bank savings account

Westpac Life (18-29 year olds only)

We examined every savings account in Finder's database from the Big Four banks. That's CBA, Westpac, NAB and ANZ, and their subsidiaries. We looked at the highest rate for the big 4 banks. Any monthly conditions to earn the ongoing bonus rates were presumed to be met.

What we like about Westpac Life (18-29 year olds only):

  • Competitive rate. This account has the highest savings rate offered by the Big Four banks. While some accounts may have slightly higher rates as part of temporary special offers, Westpac's rate is a high ongoing rate.
  • Ongoing rate. Westpac Life's savings rate is an ongoing rate. You just need to meet the conditions.
  • Reasonable conditions. To get the maximum rate you just need to grow your balance each month and make 5+ eligible debit card purchases.

Best savings account for under 35s

Bank of Queensland Future Saver Account - 14 to 35 years

This account is chosen as part of our annual Finder Awards. First, we filtered for the accounts in our database that have an ongoing bonus interest rate and only available to customers aged 18-30. We then looked at 12 months' worth of rate data, with more weight applied to the most recent quarter, to determine the account with the highest bonus rate for the most amount of time. Any monthly conditions to earn the ongoing bonus rates were presumed to be met.

What we like about Bank of Queensland Future Saver:

This account has a Finder Score of 9.7.

  • Great rate for under 35s. This account currently offers one of the highest maximum variable rates in the market with 5.5% p.a. for customers aged 14-35. p.a.
  • Ongoing rate. Bank of Queensland's maximum variable rate is ongoing each month if you meet the account conditions.
  • Make withdrawals. As long as you've deposited $1000 monthly, you can withdraw while still being eligible for bonus interest.
  • Finder Awards winner. This account won the Best Young Adult Savings Account in this year's Finder Awards.

Best youth (under 18) savings account

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

This account is chosen as part of our annual Finder Awards. First, we filtered for the accounts in our database that have an ongoing bonus interest rate and only available to customers aged 17 or under. We then looked at 12 months' worth of rate data, with more weight applied to the most recent quarter, to determine the account with the highest bonus rate for the most amount of time. Any monthly conditions to earn the ongoing bonus rates were presumed to be met.

What we like about Great Southern Bank Youth eSaver Account:

This account has a Finder Score of 3.65.

  • Great rate for under 17s. This account currently offers 5.5% p.a. for customers aged under 17.
  • Ongoing rate. The maximum variable rate of 5.5% p.a. is available ongoing each month.
  • No conditions. There are no monthly deposit conditions to earn interest, so it's an easy account for kids to use.
  • Finder Awards Winner. This account won the Best Kid Savings Account in this year's Finder Awards.

What to look for when you compare savings accounts

***ALT HERE***

High interest rate

The higher the interest rate, the more interest you'll earn and the more your balance will grow. This is the most important feature to consider when choosing your account.

Savings no fee icon

No fees

Savings accounts shouldn't charge you any fees. If you're getting charged a fee, know that this is not common and there are plenty of fee-free accounts.

People celebrating win

Conditions you can meet

Savings accounts typically have monthly deposit requirements or spending conditions to earn the high bonus rate. Make sure you can meet these.

How to find the best savings account

The best savings account for you will depend on your age, financial situation, savings goals and spending habits. Here are a few different hypothetical examples of how you might pick a savings account based on your personal savings style.

You earn a regular income and can meet a monthly deposit condition

The best savings account for you will likely be one with the following:

  • An ongoing bonus interest rate: Because you earn a regular income and are confident in your ability to save, a savings account with an ongoing, high bonus rate would offer the best rate for you.
  • A monthly deposit condition: Usually the accounts with the best bonus rates have a monthly deposit condition, often $1000 per month, which is ideal for people with good savings habits and a regular income.

You have a short-term savings goal

Let's say you want to give your savings a boost for 3-5 months only to help you save for an overseas holiday or another large purchase. Because you're saving for a specific goal in the near future, you aren't planning to keep your cash in the account for too long and you don’t want to have to meet any ongoing monthly conditions.

The best savings account for you will likely be one with the following:

  • An introductory bonus interest rate: Accounts with an introductory bonus rate offer a higher rate for the first 3-5 months only, with no conditions to meet.
  • A term deposit: A term deposit allows you to lock your money away for a set period of time and earn a fixed return, with no monthly conditions to meet.

You can't commit to a monthly deposit condition

Let's say you don't earn a regular income, or you're currently not in a position to meet a monthly deposit condition. Plus, perhaps you're also prone to dipping into your savings from time to time for impulse purchases or unexpected expenses.

The best savings account for you will likely be one with the following:

  • An ongoing bonus interest rate: An account with an ongoing bonus interest rate will give your balance the best chance at growing (just make sure you check the conditions!)
  • No (or low) monthly deposit condition: Look for a bonus saver account that doesn't have a monthly deposit condition. Or, look for one that you can comfortably meet (some accounts only ask you to deposit $20 per month).

Why keep your cash in a savings account?

Alison Banney's headshot
Our expert says: The role of a savings account

"People often ask why keep cash in a savings account when shares can offer better long-term returns historically. There are several answers: a savings account offers certainty, security, and acts as a financial safety net. It is safer and delivers a more predictable return than shares, and you can quickly access your cash when needed."

Editor

How does a savings account work?

Usually savings accounts are connected to transaction accounts and instead of the money sitting in your bank account, you can transfer it to your savings account and it'll earn interest (if you meet the account conditions, of course). The special thing about savings account interest is its compound interest, meaning you'll earn interest on your interest.

Is it best to stick with the Big Four or go with a smaller bank?

Wondering which bank is best to open up your savings account with? Chances are you may be thinking of joining the Big Four. We've put together this pros and cons list of the Big Four VS smaller banks to help you make a decision easier.

ProsCons
Big Four
  • May offer better customer service as they operate 24/7
  • Easy access to ATM's (and no-fee withdrawals) due to large distribution
  • Can easily manage other loans through the same network
  • Better funding to these banks mean more advanced banking technology
  • Comprehensive range of products offered
  • Able to operate in person and online
  • Depersonalised customer experience due to large customer base – can get "lost in the noise"
  • Interest rates may not be as competitive
Smaller Banks
  • May offer more competitive interest rates
  • May offer more personalised customer service
  • Some banks may offer advanced banking technologies like app banking
  • You may be able to negotiate waiving fees on a case-by-case basis
  • Not likely to have in-person support – may be online only
  • Limited access to ATM's due to low distribution

How do I open an Australian savings account?

In most cases, you can apply and open a savings account online, as long as you're able to provide documentation that confirms your identity and residency. If you're a new customer to the bank, you'll need to verify your identity for legal reasons. For the online savings and bonus saver accounts, most banks will allow an Australian to have an account opened in their name from birth.

FAQs on best savings accounts

Richard Whitten's headshot
Serina Bird's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten and 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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61 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    SamSeptember 29, 2017

    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

      Default Gravatar
      ArnoldSeptember 30, 2017

      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

    Default Gravatar
    ZdravkoJuly 1, 2017

    Bank of Melbourne is advertising 3% on Maxi Saver yet mums only getting 2.75% and me worse 2.55%.

      Default Gravatar
      JonathanJuly 1, 2017

      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

    Default Gravatar
    RobertMay 28, 2017

    My partner and i are wanting to start a joint savings account for mostly travelling. We are going to be depositing 800 per month and our first withdrawal will be mid October. Am wanting to know what bonus saving account would be best.
    Thankyou
    Robert

      AvatarFinder
      DeeMay 28, 2017Finder

      Hi Robert,

      Thanks for your question.

      You may want to compare bonus savings accounts on our website.

      Given that you will deposit $800 per month and you’ll withdraw on October, the savings account that can give you high interest earnings are: Bankwest Hero Saver, ME Online Savings Account and Bank Australia Bonus Saver Account.

      You may take advantage of the savings calculator on the page to see how much interest you’ll earn per account if you have an initial deposit or if you want a longer-term.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

    Default Gravatar
    NualaMarch 22, 2017

    I want to open a savings account with a lump sum to pay for funeral, which is best, also can i have it in my name with my son as signatures.

      AvatarFinder
      DeeMarch 23, 2017Finder

      Hi Nuala,

      Thanks for your question.

      You may want to use our savings account calculator above to see how much interest earning you’ll get under each savings account.

      If you want to have your son as a signatory, you may opt for a joint account application. Most of the savings accounts we feature above allow that option.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

    Default Gravatar
    MarkNovember 1, 2016

    Hi,
    Just want to know why some financial institutions with better rates are never in the “compare” table?
    For example RAMS – 3.15% (ongoing), UBank – 2.81% (ongoing).
    RAMS is mentioned way below the main table, UBank no even shown anywhere.
    What are the reasons for this?
    Thank you

      AvatarFinder
      ClarizzaNovember 1, 2016Finder

      Hi Mark,

      Thanks for your question.

      Although we cover a wide range of products, providers, and services we don’t cover every product, provider or service available in the market. So, there may be other options available to you.

      For more information, please see our UBank USaver review and our RAMS Saver account review.

      Cheers,
      Clarizza

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