https://www.savings.com.au Savings.com.au offers practical money savings tips and financial comparison to help Australians save more on their home loans, car loans, credit cards and more. en-AU Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:46:20 +1000 https://www.savings.com.au/media/icons/sca-rss-square.pnghttps://www.savings.com.au3232 Deeming rates are an important consideration if you're thinking about, or already receiving, one of many government pensions – including the age pension.http://www.savings.com.au/term-deposits/what-are-deeming-rates-and-how-do-they-workFri, 21 Aug 2026 04:15:40 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/term-deposits/what-are-deeming-rates-and-how-do-they-work More than 5.3 million Australians including Age Pension recipients will receive higher Centrelink payments in September, but there’s a catch for pensioners with savings.http://www.savings.com.au/news/centrelink-payments-to-rise-in-septemberFri, 21 Aug 2026 02:54:44 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/centrelink-payments-to-rise-in-september Westpac and NAB have joined their big four counterparts in lowering near-term term deposit rates as the prospect of another cash rate hike dims.http://www.savings.com.au/news/westpac-nab-join-big-four-cut-to-term-deposit-ratesFri, 21 Aug 2026 01:11:15 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/westpac-nab-join-big-four-cut-to-term-deposit-rates Commonwealth Bank and ANZ have nudged their 12-month term deposit rates lower in another signal of where big banks think interest rates are heading.http://www.savings.com.au/news/big-banks-drop-term-deposit-ratesFri, 21 Aug 2026 09:39:42 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/big-banks-drop-term-deposit-rates Wage growth in the private sector has hit its slowest rate in almost four years as the labour market softens.http://www.savings.com.au/news/private-sector-wage-growth-falls-to-near-four-year-lowWed, 19 Aug 2026 03:33:56 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/private-sector-wage-growth-falls-to-near-four-year-low Regional Australia's robust housing market continues to outperform the capital cities but value growth has declined.http://www.savings.com.au/news/housing-market-slowdown-hits-regionsTue, 18 Aug 2026 12:13:17 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/housing-market-slowdown-hits-regions Australians with mortgages are starting to breathe easier after the RBA kept interest rates on hold, but renters are becoming more pessimistic about their chances of owning a home.http://www.savings.com.au/news/rate-reprieve-lifts-homeowners-but-fails-to-reassure-rentersTue, 18 Aug 2026 05:00:56 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/rate-reprieve-lifts-homeowners-but-fails-to-reassure-renters Savings.com.au's Grocery Price Index compares prices of everyday, essential goods from Woolworths & Coles.http://www.savings.com.au/statistics/grocery-price-indexFri, 14 Aug 2026 04:57:42 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/statistics/grocery-price-index Learn how to refinance a commercial property loan, compare lenders, reduce borrowing costs, access equity, and improve cash flow with this comprehensive Australian guide.http://www.savings.com.au/smsf/how-to-refinance-a-commercial-property-loanFri, 14 Aug 2026 05:18:08 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/smsf/how-to-refinance-a-commercial-property-loan ETFs are gaining traction as Australian investors respond to tax changes, rising rates and housing affordability pressures.http://www.savings.com.au/news/can-etfs-challenge-property-dominance-as-australia-top-investmentFri, 14 Aug 2026 10:36:07 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/can-etfs-challenge-property-dominance-as-australia-top-investment Tax and SMSF changes have placed commercial property investment in the spotlight, with investors needing to understand the key differences between commercial property types before committing.http://www.savings.com.au/smsf/different-types-of-commercial-property-in-australiaThu, 13 Aug 2026 04:30:14 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/smsf/different-types-of-commercial-property-in-australia Australia's big four banks have all reported steep plunges in home loan applications as high interest rates and federal budget investor tax changes douse housing market activity.http://www.savings.com.au/news/big-4-banks-reveal-mortgage-collapseThu, 13 Aug 2026 12:16:55 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/big-4-banks-reveal-mortgage-collapse Australia's cash rate will remain at 4.35% after the RBA's August meeting where no possibility of a rate cut was discussed.http://www.savings.com.au/news/rba-leaves-cash-rate-on-hold-not-ruling-out-further-hikesTue, 11 Aug 2026 04:58:42 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/rba-leaves-cash-rate-on-hold-not-ruling-out-further-hikes $blogEntry.seodescriptionhttp://www.savings.com.au/news/rba-august-2026-cash-rate-live-updatesTue, 11 Aug 2026 03:47:49 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/rba-august-2026-cash-rate-live-updates A seven-year high in property listings is giving home buyers more choice and putting pressure on sellers.http://www.savings.com.au/news/buyers-gain-more-bargaining-power-as-listings-hit-seven-year-highTue, 11 Aug 2026 04:12:49 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/buyers-gain-more-bargaining-power-as-listings-hit-seven-year-high ME Bank is a fully digital bank, notable for its competitive home loans rates and flexible features.http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/me-bankTue, 11 Aug 2026 11:55:39 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/me-bank The RBA is expected to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% on Tuesday, retaining a hawkish bias as underlying inflation remains above target.http://www.savings.com.au/news/markets-brace-for-hawkish-hold-from-rbaMon, 10 Aug 2026 01:38:16 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/markets-brace-for-hawkish-hold-from-rba Australia's second-largest home lender has seen home loan applications fall 20% post-budget with demand expected to fall further this financial year.http://www.savings.com.au/news/westpac-mortgage-applications-plunge-20-post-budgetMon, 10 Aug 2026 01:07:50 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/westpac-mortgage-applications-plunge-20-post-budget Lower property prices have yet to revive buyer activity, raising questions about the impact of recent policy changes on the housing market.http://www.savings.com.au/news/is-the-housing-downturn-failing-to-draw-buyers-backFri, 07 Aug 2026 01:07:11 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/is-the-housing-downturn-failing-to-draw-buyers-back CommBank has taken a full percentage point or more from its six-month term deposit rates, signalling the bank is not expecting a cash rate rise in the near term.http://www.savings.com.au/news/commbank-savages-6-month-term-deposit-ratesThu, 06 Aug 2026 02:29:27 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/commbank-savages-6-month-term-deposit-rates Macquarie Bank has trimmed interest rates on its new digital term deposit products, taking five basis points off its six- to-12-month rates.http://www.savings.com.au/news/macquarie-nudges-new-digital-term-deposit-rates-lowerWed, 05 Aug 2026 03:43:55 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/macquarie-nudges-new-digital-term-deposit-rates-lower Australia's long-running rise in profitable home sales has faltered in the first half of 2026, as the housing market loses steam nationally.http://www.savings.com.au/news/housing-profitability-shows-first-signs-of-slideTue, 04 Aug 2026 04:58:40 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/housing-profitability-shows-first-signs-of-slide From huge multinational banks like the Commonwealth Bank to local customer-owned credit unions, all kinds of financial institutions operate in Australia. Here’s what to know.http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/banks-vs-credit-unionsThu, 06 Aug 2026 06:36:20 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/banks-vs-credit-unions With changed tax rules around residential property investment, how does commercial property stack up as an alternative?http://www.savings.com.au/smsf/residential-vs-commercial-property-investment-comparisonFri, 07 Aug 2026 12:54:47 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/smsf/residential-vs-commercial-property-investment-comparison Australians hit the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) with a record 119,949 complaints as financial hardship disputes surge.http://www.savings.com.au/news/banking-credit-card-and-insurance-disputes-drive-record-afca-complaintsTue, 04 Aug 2026 12:04:58 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/banking-credit-card-and-insurance-disputes-drive-record-afca-complaints Bank of Queensland (BOQ) is one of Australia's oldest regional banks and sits among the country's top ten home lenders. So how do its home loans stack up?http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/bank-of-queensland-home-loans-reviewWed, 05 Aug 2026 04:00:42 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/bank-of-queensland-home-loans-review Looking to save some cash on your home loan? We've compiled some of the special home loan deals and cashback offers from lenders across Australia that might mean a handy sum back into your pocket.http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/home-loan-offers-and-dealsMon, 03 Aug 2026 09:33:12 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/home-loan-offers-and-deals Australia's housing slowdown is gathering pace, with previously resilient markets now joining the downturn.http://www.savings.com.au/news/housing-slump-spreads-as-brisbane-and-adelaide-join-the-slideFri, 31 Jul 2026 03:47:45 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/housing-slump-spreads-as-brisbane-and-adelaide-join-the-slide The interest rate on your car loan is important, but it's not the only cost of financing a vehicle - fees and extra charges can add up to hundreds of extra dollars.http://www.savings.com.au/car-loans/car-loan-feesWed, 05 Aug 2026 06:19:18 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/car-loans/car-loan-fees Read our WLTH home loans review. Compare rates and features, and learn more about the non-bank lender’s digital platform, SMSF lending options and environmental initiative.http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/wlthMon, 03 Aug 2026 10:56:54 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/wlth Global bank HSBC is winding up its retail banking business in Australia, selling its $36 billion loan book and winding down its other products over the next 18 months.http://www.savings.com.au/news/hsbc-closing-retail-banking-in-australiaFri, 31 Jul 2026 01:24:08 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/hsbc-closing-retail-banking-in-australia Macquarie Bank has dropped variable home loan rates by five basis points as new mortgage applications dry up across the market.http://www.savings.com.au/news/macquarie-drops-variable-home-loan-ratesFri, 31 Jul 2026 12:41:09 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/macquarie-drops-variable-home-loan-rates National Australia Bank home loan applications were down 15% on the previous quarter while the number of loans on "watch" jumped 8%.http://www.savings.com.au/news/nab-reveals-home-loan-plungeThu, 30 Jul 2026 02:49:03 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/nab-reveals-home-loan-plunge Australia's inflation rate cooled in the June quarter, reducing the likelihood of any interest rate hike when the RBA Board meets in next month.http://www.savings.com.au/news/australia-s-inflation-eases-in-june-quarterWed, 29 Jul 2026 03:32:30 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/australia-s-inflation-eases-in-june-quarter Banks have paid home loan borrowers more than $55 million compensation for poor management of mortgage offset accounts, seeing thousands of customers miss out on interest savings.http://www.savings.com.au/news/banks-roasted-for-mortgage-offset-account-failuresWed, 29 Jul 2026 11:43:56 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/banks-roasted-for-mortgage-offset-account-failures Two of Australia's major non-bank lenders have raised their maximum loan sizes to $3 million as lending demand slows across the market.http://www.savings.com.au/news/non-bank-lenders-hike-loan-limits-amid-credit-slumpTue, 28 Jul 2026 04:48:53 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/non-bank-lenders-hike-loan-limits-amid-credit-slump How does ING Bank’s range of savings accounts compare to competitors on rates, features, fees and the rest?http://www.savings.com.au/savings-accounts/ing-savings-accounts-reviewFri, 31 Jul 2026 04:47:27 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/savings-accounts/ing-savings-accounts-review Westpac is Australia's second-largest home lender but how do its home loans stack up in the market?http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/westpac-home-loansMon, 17 Aug 2026 04:09:25 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/westpac-home-loans Australia's big four banks expect underlying inflation to remain high in the June quarter, reinforcing expectations that the RBA will remain cautious about easing policy.http://www.savings.com.au/news/australia-s-inflation-seen-staying-stubbornly-high-in-june-quarterTue, 28 Jul 2026 10:09:26 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/australia-s-inflation-seen-staying-stubbornly-high-in-june-quarter ING has launched a new market-high 6% p.a. introductory rate for new savings customers, but there are a couple of provisos.http://www.savings.com.au/news/savings-account-interest-rate-cracks-6Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:41:26 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/savings-account-interest-rate-cracks-6 AMP Bank's popular app-only GO Save account will see interest rate and tier changes little over a year after its launch.http://www.savings.com.au/news/amp-go-save-announces-new-interest-rate-set-upFri, 24 Jul 2026 03:00:17 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/amp-go-save-announces-new-interest-rate-set-up Policies aimed at making housing more affordable in Australia could inadvertently push rents higher.http://www.savings.com.au/news/smsf-and-tax-changes-risk-tightening-rental-marketThu, 23 Jul 2026 05:07:57 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/smsf-and-tax-changes-risk-tightening-rental-market Suncorp Bank is a fixture in Australia's top 10 home lender rankings. Compare how its home loans stack up in the market.http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/suncorpThu, 23 Jul 2026 04:02:18 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/suncorp Australia’s labour market showed renewed resilience in June, with a surge in employment helping keep the jobless rate steady.http://www.savings.com.au/news/unemployment-holds-at-4-4-with-surprise-june-hiring-boomThu, 23 Jul 2026 02:43:59 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/unemployment-holds-at-4-4-with-surprise-june-hiring-boom Inflation is the single biggest concern of everyday Australians although not all understand how higher interest rates help fight it.http://www.savings.com.au/news/inflation-trounces-housing-as-aussies-top-economic-worryThu, 23 Jul 2026 01:50:02 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/inflation-trounces-housing-as-aussies-top-economic-worry ASIC's latest review uncovered high fees, early defaults and borrower harm in Australia's car finance market. Here's what dealers don't tell you before you sign.http://www.savings.com.au/news/what-car-dealerships-don-t-tell-you-about-the-finance-they-re-offeringThu, 23 Jul 2026 10:15:12 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/what-car-dealerships-don-t-tell-you-about-the-finance-they-re-offering From super contributions to charitable donations and tax agent fees, discover the tax deductions Australians may be able to claim this tax time.http://www.savings.com.au/budgeting-finance-tips/claiming-non-work-expenses-on-your-tax-returnWed, 22 Jul 2026 05:54:30 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/budgeting-finance-tips/claiming-non-work-expenses-on-your-tax-return National Australia Bank has cut up to 20 basis points off its one and two year fixed home loan rates as the housing market stalls.http://www.savings.com.au/news/nab-cuts-fixed-home-loan-ratesWed, 22 Jul 2026 04:28:49 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/news/nab-cuts-fixed-home-loan-rates The customer-owned Regional Australia Bank offers flexible home loans with highly competitive rates - and you don’t have to live in the regions to secure one.http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/regional-australia-bank-home-loan-reviewThu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:21 +1000http://www.savings.com.au/home-loans/lenders/regional-australia-bank-home-loan-review