14/04/2026
What is a fixed rate home loan, and should you get one?
It's one of the most common questions I'm getting right now, so here's the honest breakdown.
A fixed rate locks in your interest rate for a set period, usually 1 to 5 years. Your repayments don't move during that time, no matter what the RBA does. That predictability is the whole point.
The upside: You know exactly what you're paying. If rates go up, you're protected.
The catch: If rates drop, you won't benefit. Most fixed loans also limit how much extra you can repay, and if you need to refinance or sell before the fixed period ends, break costs can be significant.
So when does fixing actually make sense? Mainly when budget certainty matters more to you than flexibility. If you're tight on cash flow, just bought, or genuinely stressed about rate rises, fixing can take a lot of pressure off.
If you're planning to sell soon, want to smash down your loan faster, or think rates might fall, a variable or split loan is probably worth a closer look.
Be honest, do you know what your current interest rate is right now?