Savings .com.au

Interest rate vs comparison rate

A loan’s comparison rate can help provide a better indication of the cost of a loan by taking both the interest rate and fees into account.

That’s why the comparison rate is usually higher than the advertised interest rate.

By law, each lender is required to display the comparison rate of a home loan next to the advertised interest rate.

How is the comparison rate calculated?

Not all home loans are the same, which is why the comparison rate isn’t always a perfect way of comparing home loans. A home loan comparison rate is uniformly calculated based on an assumed loan amount of $150,000 with a loan term of 25 years, and then factors in the fees the loan has stretched over that time.

Because of these assumptions, the comparison rate should be taken with a pinch of salt. Data from 2019 found the median value of a dwelling in Australia was $516,713 - much more than $150,000 - and home loans can often last for 30 years plus.

Despite its flaws, however, the comparison rate can make it a lot easier for you to compare home loans on costs.

Our home loan comparison rate calculator can help you see how comparison rates are calculated to reflect a loan’s costs.

Comparison rate calculator

To use our comparison rate calculator, enter the following information:

  • The loan amount
  • The loan term
  • The fixed interest rate and the fixed term (if applicable)
  • The ongoing interest rate (not introductory or fixed)
  • Monthly fees
  • Upfront fees
  • A discharge fee (if applicable)

By entering all of this, Savings.com.au’s home loan comparison rate calculator can estimate a loan’s comparison rate, repayments, total fees payable, total interest payable, and the total cost.


Looking for a home loan?

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans
with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

Lender

Variable
More details
4.6 Star Customer Ratings
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Quick and easy online application process.
Disclosure
4.6 Star Customer Ratings

loans.com.au – Variable Home Loan (LVR < 90%)

  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Quick and easy online application process.
Disclosure
Variable
More details
Apply in minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
Disclosure
Apply in minutes

Unloan – Variable Rate Home Loan LVR < 80%

  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
Disclosure
Variable
More details
  • No annual fees – None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
Disclosure

ubank, part of NAB – Neat home loan - max. 60% LVR (Owner occupied, Principal and interest)

  • No annual fees – None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
Disclosure
VariableN/AN/A
More details

Sucasa – Ultra Low Rate (Variable) - <98% LVR - No LMI (Refinance)

    Variable
    More details
    Disclosure

    ANZ – Simplicity PLUS Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 70%) (New Customer) Special offer

      Disclosure
      VariableN/A
      More details
      Disclosure

      Commonwealth Bank – Extra Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR 60%-70%)

        Disclosure
        Variable
        More details

        ING – Mortgage Simplifier ($150k+ where LVR >90% - O/Occ) P&I

          Variable
          More details
          Disclosure

          NAB – Tailored Home Loan Variable Rate - Principal and Interest LVR 60% or less

            Disclosure
            Variable
            More details
            Disclosure

            Westpac – Flexi First Option Home Loan (Promo) - Principal & Interest (LVR up to 70%)

              Disclosure
              Variable
              More details
              Disclosure

              ubank, part of NAB – Neat home loan - max. 80% LVR (Owner occupied, Principal and interest)

                Disclosure
                Variable
                More details
                • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
                • Available for refinance or purchases. Quick and easy online application process.
                • Dedicated loan specialist throughout the loan application.
                • Discounted interest rate for 5 years for homes with an eligible solar system
                Disclosure

                loans.com.au – Solar Home Loan (Principal & Interest) (LVR < 90%)

                • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
                • Available for refinance or purchases. Quick and easy online application process.
                • Dedicated loan specialist throughout the loan application.
                • Discounted interest rate for 5 years for homes with an eligible solar system
                Disclosure
                Variable
                More details

                Great Southern Bank – Offset Variable - Owner Occupier Principal & Interest (LVR is 70%)

                  Variable
                  More details

                  MOVE Bank – Offset Home Loan (Principal & Interest) LVR <80%

                    Variable
                    More details

                    Bank of Queensland – Owner Occupied Economy Discount Rate (max 80% LVR)

                      Variable
                      More details

                      Athena Home Loans – Straight Up Owner Occupied - Obliterate (LVR < 50%) (Principal and Interest)

                        Variable
                        More details

                        Heritage Bank – Home Advantage Variable $250,000 to $699,999 >70% to 80%

                          Variable
                          More details

                          BankSA – Basic Home Loan for Owner Occupier P&I (Promo) (LVR below 70%)

                            Variable
                            More details

                            IMB Bank – Essentials Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR 80%-90%)

                              Variable
                              More details

                              Credit Union SA – Owner Occupied Variable Home Loan Package (Principal and Interest)

                                Variable
                                More details
                                Disclosure

                                NAB – Tailored Home Loan Variable Rate - Principal and Interest LVR 60.01% - 70%

                                  Disclosure
                                  Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

                                  Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of December 21, 2024. View disclaimer.

                                  Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning