Westpac's 50 basis point increase to 2.50% p.a. comes after it cut the rate to 2.00% p.a. back in February; on launch around two years ago its maximum rate was 3.00% p.a. despite a cash rate of only 0.25% at the time.

The 2.50% p.a. total rate applies on balances up to $30,000. After that, a maximum 0.85% p.a. rate applies.

To attain the bonus rate, Westpac customers must grow the balance every month, and make five settled debit card purchases with the linked transaction account.

Some customers are also hit with a $5 monthly account keeping fee if they do not deposit $2,000 a month into the transaction account.

The major bank has one of the highest rates for 'youths', however Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has recently emerged with a savings account rate of 3.00% p.a.

Westpac's decision to increase the savings rate on its Westpac Life product comes after the big-four bank did not move savings account rates north in line with the recent RBA cash rate increase for June. 

Instead, the major bank announced from 9 June it will introduce a 12 to 23 month term deposit rate of 2.25% p.a


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Need somewhere to store cash and earn interest? The table below features savings accounts with some of the highest interest rates on the market.

Provider

4000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance

High Interest Savings Account (< $250k)

  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Deposit at least $1,000 + each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions
  • Grow your savings balance each month

Savings Maximiser (<$100k)

  • Deposit at least $1,000 + each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions
  • Grow your savings balance each month
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • No account fees
  • Total ongoing variable rate of up to 5.20% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
  • Easy access to your money

Saver Account (<$250k)

  • No account fees
  • Total ongoing variable rate of up to 5.20% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
  • Easy access to your money
4000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
  • A great base interest rate of 4.75%

Savings Account (Amounts < $250k)

  • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
  • A great base interest rate of 4.75%
05001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Maximum Age - 24
  • $0 monthly account fee
  • Earn bonus interest

Goal Saver

  • Maximum Age - 24
  • $0 monthly account fee
  • Earn bonus interest
02000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
No monthly fees
  • Download the App to open your account
  • Get better visibility of your spending within App!
  • Deposit $200 per month to activate bonus interest
No monthly fees

Save Account

  • Download the App to open your account
  • Get better visibility of your spending within App!
  • Deposit $200 per month to activate bonus interest
0200$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • No fees or penalties for withdrawing money
  • Savings guaranteed up to $250,000
  • Maximise your savings and reach your goals faster with Auto-Savings

Bonus Saver Account (Amounts < $250k)

  • No fees or penalties for withdrawing money
  • Savings guaranteed up to $250,000
  • Maximise your savings and reach your goals faster with Auto-Savings
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
For customers aged 14-35 years
For customers aged 14-35 years

Future Saver Account ( < $50k)

    010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

    Boost Saver

      Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

      All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of December 11, 2023. View disclaimer.

      Image by Harrison Astbury