What are the best fixed home rates in 2026?
Best 1-year fixed home loan rates
Best 2-year fixed home loan rates
Best 3-year fixed home loan rates
Best 4-year fixed home loan rates
Best 5-year fixed home loan rates
How does a fixed home loan rate work?
When it comes to home loans there are two types of interest rates to consider, fixed or variable. A fixed interest rate stays the same over a fixed-rate term, while a variable rate can change at any time – usually because of hikes or cuts to the cash rate.
Most lenders allow borrowers to lock in a fixed rate for home loans between one to five years. During this period there won’t be any fluctuations to the amount of interest that borrowers pay on their loan. Then afterwards, the fixed rate it typically reverts into a variable interest rate, unless of course you choose to lock in another fixed-rate term.
Most lenders allow borrowers to lock in a fixed rate for home loans between one to five years. During this period there won’t be any fluctuations to the amount of interest that borrowers pay on their loan. Then afterwards, the fixed rate it typically reverts into a variable interest rate, unless of course you choose to lock in another fixed-rate term.
What are your options with a fixed rate loan?
Fixed home loans generally are more restrictive than variable rate home loans, but there are some options you can consider:
Term durations
For most lenders the minimum fixed-rate term duration on a home loan is one year and the maximum is five years. But some lenders offer seven or ten-year fixed-rate options.
Loan features
Fixed rate home loans are usually lighter on features compared to variable rate loans. But some will offer a limited set of features, such as the ability to make extra repayments (usually capped during the fixed-rate term). Or less commonly, some fixed rate loans come with an offset account. This is rare, however, and you’ll usually pay more in fees or have a higher rate if your loan has offset.
Rate lock
The fixed rate on a home loan is usually actually locked in when the loan settles, not when the application is made initially. This means the rate could actually change while your application is being assessed.
A rate lock is an optional feature offered by most lenders that allows borrowers to lock in their fixed when they apply. That way the rate can’t go up. If the rate drops before settlement, most lenders will still decrease the locked rate to match the better fixed rate.
A rate lock can come at a hefty fee, with most of Australia’s top banks charging either $750 or 0.10% of the loan’s total.
Split loan
Most lenders make choosing between a fixed or variable rate easier by offering to split two loan types for one home loan. So part of the loan will be incurring interest at a fixed rate, and the other part will be on a variable rate. However, once the fixed rate duration finishes, the loan will be entirely on a variable interest rate.
Interest-only fixed rate
It’s usually possible to get a fixed rate home loan with interest-only repayments. This allows borrowers to pay just the interest and not the principal loan amount for a certain period of time. It means cheaper repayments initially, but usually results in borrowers paying more on their loan overall.
Why do people fix their home loan rate?
There are many practical reasons for getting a fixed rate home loan, including:
Rates are rising: If rates are likely to rise and stay high for a period of time, many borrowers choose to fix their loan. Predicting interest rates is easier said than done, but if you time it well, a fixed rate can be a big money saver when rates are increasing.
Get budgeting certainty: A fixed rate makes budgeting for repayments easier because borrowers know the exact amount they need to put aside each month, regardless of what’s happening to interest rates overall. With a variable rate, your lender may increase or decrease your rate, with a knock-on impact on repayments.
Still get some flexibility: Even when locked into an interest rate, it’s possible for borrowers to make the most of their home loan. There may be useful features, like limited extra repayments, redraw and in some cases offset. These features mean you can enjoy certainty while maintaining the flexibility to lower your interest costs in the long run.
Overall peace of mind: A fixed rate home loan is a bit like an insurance policy. It protects you from potential costs if rates were to increase. Obviously there is a potential financial benefit to this, but more broadly it means borrowers don’t need to worry about even the potential for increases. This has a value of its own, and is why some people are prepared to pay a slightly higher rate on a fixed loan.
Why would I choose a variable rate instead? (4 reasons to fix)
There are also potential downsides to choosing a fixed rate loan and opting for a variable rate instead.
1. Rates are likely to fall: WIth a fixed rate, you won’t benefit from falling interest rates. But if you’re on a variable rate and the RBA cuts the cash rate, your lender will almost certainly lower your interest rate as a result. If you pay attention to expert interest rate predictions and the consensus is for lower rates to come, a variable loan may be worth considering.
2. You need flexibility to refinance: If you plan to refinance your loan soon (e.g. to switch banks), a variable rate may be better. With a fixed rate, you will typically face high break fees if you exit the loan early.
3. You want features and flexibility: A variable rate home loan is more likely to come with features like offset, extra repayments and redraw, as well as lower rates. These are very useful in paying off a home loan faster.
4. You’re comfortable with some volatility: If you’re happy to weather interest rate turbulence, variable rates are often slightly cheaper than fixed rates overall. You also have more scope to use home lean features to save money. There’s a reason why the majority of borrowers choose a variable rate.
Options at the end of your fixed rate term
Refix for another term
One option for when a fixed rate home loan ends is to refix, which lets borrowers lock in a new fixed interest rate with their lender after their existing term expires. This interest rate could be higher or lower than the initial rate depending on what has been happening with the economy in the meantime.
Revert to a variable rate
Typically after a fixed rate term is finished, it will automatically turn into a variable rate home loan. The variable rate your loan defaults to may not be the best rate available from your lender, so it’s worth checking this so you don’t sleepwalk into an expensive loan. ASk your lender to switch you to the lowest rate variable loan that fits your needs.
Refinance with a new lender
Borrowers can also choose to refinance their home loan to a different lender once their fixed rate ends. For example if your lender’s rates have become uncompetitive since you fixed your rate, it could be worthwhile looking elsewhere. Changing lenders may mean additional upfront costs, but if you can secure a better rare, the savings will likely offset the switching costs.













