🇦🇺 Australia

Term Deposit Calculator Australia — FY 2025-26

Calculate maturity values, compare TD vs savings vs offset accounts, and plan a ladder strategy with after-tax returns.

Term deposit interest is assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate. An offset account saves mortgage interest tax-free — often the better option.
$
Amount to deposit into the term deposit
%
Current top 1yr rates: ~4.5–5.0% (March 2026)
mths
Common terms: 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 months
At maturity = simple interest; monthly/annually = compound
Your income tax bracket — affects after-tax return

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How to Use This Calculator

Tab "TD Maturity"

Enter your deposit amount, interest rate, and term in months. The calculator shows gross interest, tax on interest at your marginal rate, after-tax interest, total maturity value, and effective after-tax rate. Under "More options," choose compounding frequency (at maturity, monthly, or annually) and your marginal tax rate.

Tab "TD vs Savings vs Offset"

Compare three options for your cash: a term deposit, a high-interest savings account, and a mortgage offset account. Enter the rates for each and your marginal tax rate. The offset return is tax-free (it reduces mortgage interest rather than earning taxable income), which often makes it the best option for homeowners.

Tab "Ladder Strategy"

Split your deposit across 2–5 term deposits with staggered maturity dates. Enter rates for each term (3m, 6m, 9m, 12m, 15m). See the blended rate, average maturity, total interest earned, and how it compares to putting everything in a single TD.

The Formulas

Simple interest (at maturity):
Interest = Principal × Rate × (Months / 12)

Monthly compounding:
FV = Principal × (1 + Rate / 12)^Months
Interest = FV - Principal

Annual compounding:
FV = Principal × (1 + Rate)^(Months / 12)
Interest = FV - Principal

After-tax interest:
After-tax = Gross interest × (1 - Marginal rate)

Effective after-tax rate:
= (After-tax interest / Principal) / (Months / 12) × 100

FY 2025-26 tax brackets (Stage 3):
$0 - $18,200: 0%
$18,201 - $45,000: 16%
$45,001 - $135,000: 30%
$135,001 - $190,000: 37%
$190,001+: 45%

Offset account equivalent:
Offset return = Amount × Mortgage rate (tax-free)
Equivalent pre-tax return = Mortgage rate / (1 - Marginal rate)

All interest from term deposits and savings accounts is assessable income. Offset account savings are not income — they reduce a deductible or non-deductible expense, making them tax-free.

Example

Sarah — Marketing Manager, $50,000 TD at 4.75% for 12 months

30% marginal tax rate. Interest paid at maturity (simple interest). Also has a mortgage at 6.2%.

Gross interest (12 months)$2,375
Tax on interest (30%)$713
After-tax interest$1,663
Effective after-tax rate3.33%
Offset equivalent (tax-free)$3,100 (6.2%)

Sarah's $50,000 in an offset account would save $3,100 in mortgage interest tax-free — almost double the $1,663 after-tax return from the TD. The offset is clearly better while she has a mortgage.

Current Term Deposit Rates — March 2026

TermIndicative Top RateAfter Tax (30%)
3 months~4.0%~2.8%
6 months~4.4%~3.1%
9 months~4.6%~3.2%
12 months~4.75%~3.3%
24 months~4.3%~3.0%
Government Guarantee$250,000 per ADI
TFN withholding (if not provided)47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Term deposit interest is assessable income and added to your taxable income for the financial year. It is taxed at your marginal tax rate. For FY 2025-26, rates range from 0% to 45%. If you don't provide your TFN to the bank, they withhold tax at 47% — you can claim this back in your tax return but your money is tied up until then.
For term deposits, interest is generally reported when it is credited or paid, not when it accrues. If your TD matures and pays interest on 15 July 2026, that interest falls in FY 2026-27, not FY 2025-26. For TDs longer than 12 months, interest is typically reported annually even if not paid until maturity — check with your bank.
The Financial Claims Scheme (FCS) guarantees deposits up to $250,000 per person per ADI (Authorised Deposit-taking Institution). If your bank fails, the government guarantees you'll get your money back up to this limit. If you have more than $250K, consider splitting across multiple banks for full coverage.
If you have a mortgage, the offset account almost always wins. The offset saves you mortgage interest (typically 6%+) and the saving is tax-free. A TD earns taxable interest (typically 4-5% before tax, 2.5-3.5% after tax). The only reason to prefer a TD is if you don't have a mortgage, or if your mortgage rate is unusually low.
Breaking a TD early typically results in a significantly reduced interest rate — often 1-2% less than the original rate, or the bank's "at call" rate. Some banks may pay no interest at all for very early breaks (within 30 days). There is usually no exit fee per se, but the interest penalty can be substantial. Always check your bank's early withdrawal terms before locking in.

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