What is a variable rate home loan?
A variable rate home loan is one with an interest rate that can change at any time. The interest rate can go up or down due to market changes, meaning your repayments can also fluctuate. Lenders usually change their rates in line with the cash rate as set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), along with other factors.
This is unlike a fixed rate home loan, where the interest rate stays the same (as do repayments) for a set period of time, usually between one and five years.
Another option is a split rate home loan, where a portion of your home loan has a fixed interest rate and the rest has a variable one.
How to find the lowest variable home loan rate?
You can use the table above to find the lowest variable rates from our Online Partners. The table shows current interest rates as well as comparison rates, which take into account the interest rate plus the cost of most upfront and ongoing fees and charges.
While a loan’s interest rate is an important factor and can make a significant difference to its total cost, there are other factors to consider. These include any fees attached to the loan, and the features available. It’s also important to weigh up if it’s worth paying extra for certain features and whether they add value overall.
While you’re comparing home loans, consider taking a look at Canstar’s Home Loan Awards. Canstar’s expert researchers assessed thousands of home loans, including variable rate home loans, to see which ones offer outstanding value. If you’re a first home buyer, you might also be interested in our latest First Home Buyer Award.
What features do variable rate home loans have?
Variable rate home loans usually offer more features than fixed rate ones. Some features you may have access to include:
Offset accounts
An offset account is a bank account linked to your home loan. The money you have inside the offset account helps reduce the balance of your home loan for interest calculation purposes, and can therefore reduce the amount of interest you have to pay. For instance, if you had a home loan balance of $350,000, with $50,000 in a 100% offset account, you would only be charged interest on a loan balance of $300,000.
The ability to make unlimited extra repayments
Making additional repayments above your minimum repayments can help reduce your home loan balance and the amount of interest you pay. This may help you pay off your home loan more quickly as well.
Redraw facilities
A redraw facility lets you withdraw additional repayments you’ve made towards your home loan. These funds can be taken out if you need them; for example, to cover renovations or other unexpected expenses.
Packaged extras
Some lenders offer packaged home loans that combine your mortgage with other banking products, like credit cards or everyday bank accounts. This may mean you pay only one package fee, rather than multiple fees across the different products. You may also get a discount on your interest rate. But it’s important to work out whether the potential savings are worth the extra fees packaged loans typically charge.
What are the pros and cons of a variable rate home loan?
Pros
- Flexibility: You may be able to make additional repayments above what you owe, which could help you pay off your home loan quicker.
- Features: You may be able to get features like an offset account and redraw facility, as well as packaged extras.
- You may benefit from cash rate cuts: If your lender decreases its interest rates due to a change in the cash rate, you could end up paying less each month or you could keep your repayments the same in order to pay off your home loan quicker.
Cons
- Your repayments may increase: If your lender increases its interest rates due to a cash rate hike, its own operating costs increasing, or to boost its bottom line, you may have to meet higher repayments.
- Uncertainty: The interest rate can move at any time, so this can make budgeting more unpredictable. That said, lenders must give borrowers notice of an interest rate change, so you’ll usually have a few weeks to prepare.
How long does a variable rate home loan last?
Home loans are typically repaid over a period of 25 to 30 years. When you apply for a variable rate home loan, you’ll agree with your lender on the term and repayment schedule. If you choose a shorter loan term, you’ll generally pay higher repayments but less in interest overall. If you choose a longer loan term, you’ll generally have lower repayments but will pay more in interest.



























































