What are the best refinance home loan rates in 2026?
The best refinance rates available in Australia generally start from around 5.00% on both fixed and variable rates loans. The lowest refinance rates are generally offered by smaller lenders, either member-owned institutions or non-bank lenders.
Bear in mind that the best refinance rates are typically available to borrowers with a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 60% or below. If your LVR is above this, you may not be eligible for the very lowest rates when you go to refinance.
If you refinance with the help of a mortgage broker, they’ll generally be able to negotiate with lenders on LVR if you're on the borderline of moving into a lower interest rate tier.
Should I go with the cheapest rate when refinancing?
Switching to the cheapest refinance rate you can find is a perfectly sensible approach to take, assuming it’s the cheapest rate among like-for-like loans. If you’re simply refinancing to save some money, your mortgage broker will look at the deal you’re currently on and ideally find you loans that are the same only cheaper.
What you want to avoid is refinancing to a cheaper rate, but ending up on a very basic loan compared to your existing one. Losing out on features you’ll get value from could end up costing you in the long run.
Also consider the interest rate type when refinancing. At certain times, variable loans will have cheaper rates. At others, fixed rates will be cheaper. What you want is the cheapest version of the loan that fits what you actually need.
How much can you save by refinancing to a lower rate?
The table below shows the potential cost difference for a borrower who manages to refinance their mortgage to a lower rate.
In short, securing a refinance rate that’s 1% lower on a $650,000 loan would mean saving $393 per month in interest and $117,822 over the life of a remaining 25-year loan term.
Are interest rates lower on refinance loans?
Traditionally, yes, refinancing to a different lender resulted in a lower home loan rate. The reason is simple: lenders tended to offer better rates to new customers. Over time existing borrowers ended up on less competitive deals and those who refinance regularly benefit.
However, in the last couple of years, lenders have been much more aggressive about retaining existing customers. As a result, the gap between the average home loan rates for new and existing customers has closed.
Can I refinance my investment property to a lower interest rate?
If you’ve been with your current lender for an extended period (more than 12 months) it’s often possible to refinance to a lower investment loan interest rate. Lenders are constantly changing their rates and generally offer slightly lower rates to new customers versus existing borrowers.
On top of the rate, there may be other potential benefits to refinancing your investment loan. For example, some lenders offer cashback to borrowers who switch their loan to them, or you may be able to get a loan with better features, which can save you money.













