Savings Account Comparison Australia

Term Deposit Accounts Comparison

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Posted November 2nd, 2009 and last modified March 12th, 2010

A term deposit allows you to lock away your funds for a determined amount of time, at a fixed interest rate for guaranteed returns. However, term deposit accounts have a rigid and inflexible reputation which is just not the case anymore.


Term Deposit 1 mth 3 mth 4 mth 6 mth 12 mth 24 mth 36 mth 48 mth 60 mth Min and Max Deposit
Macquarie AccountMacquarie Bank Term Deposit 4.10% 4.20% 5.50%

4mths at 5.75%

5.50% 6.00% 6.00% 6.00% 6.10% interest on maturity 6.00% interest paid annual $10,000 – 1m

Suncorp Account

Flexirates Suncorp eOptions flexiRates

4.25% 5.45% 5.70% 6.15% 6.45% - - - - $1 – $50m

Macquarie Account
Bankwest Term Deposit
- 3.61% - 5.01% 5.40% - - - - $1,000 – 5m

Suncorp Account

Flexirates Suncorp Everyday Options Sub Account

4.25% 5.45% 5.70% 6.15% 6.45% - - - - $1 – $50m
Suncorp Account
Suncorp Term Deposit
- 5.40% - 5.15% 6.00% - 7.00% - - $10,000 – 24,999
Suncorp Account
St.George Term Deposit
- - 5.10% 5.80% for 7mths 6.00% 6.00% 6.50% - 7.25% $5,000 – $5m
Term Deposit 1 mth 3 mth 4 mth 6 mth 12 mth 24 mth 36 mth 48 mth 60 mth Min and Max Deposit


How term deposit accounts can benefit you


  • You can usually choose a term anywhere between one month and five years depending on your financial needs in the near future, or medium-term.
  • You can usually open a term deposit account with as little as $1,000 initial investment.
  • You don’t need any specific financial or investment knowledge as term deposits are a completely managed investment.
  • You don’t need to worry about the moves of the share market or the dips in property prices because your interest rate and your investment are guaranteed for your chosen term.


Can You Benefit From a Term Deposit Account?


With a range of flexible term deposit accounts available from all of Australia’s major banks and financial institutions you are sure to be able to tailor an investment to suit your savings goals and financial behaviours.


To determine whether a term deposit account is the best investment for you:


  • Clarify your savings goals. This will not only help you determine whether a term deposit is the right investment for you, but will also help you decide on a term and a deposit which is right too. For example, if you only have a small investment amount, but you need that amount to grow significantly to help you prepare for the arrival of a new baby, or to help you save for a house deposit, then you may choose to look at longer terms for your term deposit account, as a longer term will offer you a higher interest rate and better returns. Alternatively, if you’ve just about met your savings goal for a new car or TV, you may want to lock away your savings for just a few months so they can continue to earn interest, but you’re not tempted to spend them.
  • Come to terms with the term of your investment. Only you know what your finances are like – and if you need confirmation of the best investment style you may want to consult a financial advisor or accountant – and you will know whether you need your savings in an emergency fund you can access. Using a term deposit account as an emergency fund can work well, if you know what your emergencies are likely to be; for example in November you could lock away some savings for just a few months so they don’t get spent in the Christmas chaos, but are there when you have those endless back to school expenses which can quickly turn into emergencies.
  • If you don’t want to risk your investment, use a term deposit account. Shares and property can secure you high returns on your investments, but they can just as easily cost you more than you’ve invested too – and there are no guarantees. With a term deposit account you know how long your money is invested for, at what interest rate, and what your expected return at the end of the term will be, all before the first day of your term has elapsed.


How to Compare Term Deposit Accounts to Maximise Your Returns


Term deposit accounts are all about guaranteeing your returns, but just because they are a safe investment, doesn’t mean they can’t still offer you a substantial return. As well as comparing the fees and the interest rates offered on each term deposit account, also make sure you know how to use the account to your advantage.


To maximise your term deposit:


  • Determine your term and then compare term deposits. Some financial institutions want to attract long term term deposits, and others prefer to facilitate short term investments. Therefore, before you choose a term deposit, you need to choose your term as one financial institution may offer 4.50% on a six month investment, where another will offer you 5.50% for that same term
  • Find out about fees. You don’t want to plan for a big return on your term deposit investment only to find that there are monthly fees, fees to open the account or fees at the end of the term – it is possible to find a term deposit account without any of these fees so it is worth making the comparisons. While you are comparing term deposit account fees, also find out what you are charged to leave the term early – if an emergency does arise and you need access to your funds sooner than expected, some financial institutions will charge you a percentage of the investment, where others will have a set cancellation fee.
  • Save time as you save money by choosing an online term deposit account. Saving and investing your funds is something you have to do amongst all of your other commitments and if setting up and managing a term deposit account costs you time, is it really worth the returns? Instead choose an online term deposit account which can be opened online, where the statements can be viewed online or emailed to you and you can reinvest or cancel your investment through internet banking.


You don’t have to be daunted by investing in a term deposit, because at Savings Account Finder we offer all of the comparisons you need to choose the best term deposit account for your needs. With all of that information in your arsenal, you can enter the realm of term deposit accounts, which is no longer reserved for only those big-time investors, but still get in on those big-time returns.


Term Deposit Resources



Term Deposit Terms



Type of Term Deposit



Best Term Deposit



Term Deposit Rate



Term Deposit Providers


At Savings Account Finder we have extensive comparison tables and product reviews to help you choose the accounts and investments which best suit you, so to round out your comparisons, find out more about the providers of those accounts…


Term Deposit Comparison



Term Deposit Rates for different time periods


These fixed term deposits offer Different Deposit Rates and Incentives depending on the term of your Investment. These Rates are Secured and Guaranteed to best Maximise Your Earning Potential.


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