Trust your bank to be green? ACCC goes after greenwashers

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is set to crack down on businesses misleading consumers on environmental and sustainability claims.
It will investigate and review at least 200 Australian businesses to identify if their green claims are true in the coming months.
“As consumers become increasingly interested in purchasing sustainable products, there are growing concerns that some businesses are falsely promoting their environmental or green credentials,” says ACCC deputy chair, Delia Rickard.
“The ACCC won’t hesitate to take enforcement action where we see that consumers are being misled or deceived by green claims.”
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is basically a marketing spin. When corporations advertise or claim that their products/services are eco-friendly but they actually aren’t, that’s usually called greenwashing.
“Misleading claims about products or services undermine consumer trust and confidence in the market,” says Rickard.
Greenwashing is technically not illegal, but Australian consumer law requires businesses to be truthful about their practices. Usually, it wouldn’t be in a corporation's best interest to lie to its customers because it can lead to distrust of the brand.
That’s why you hardly see big institutions like banks making claims that they are 100% green even when they offer ‘green’ products.
Is my bank greenwashing?
If you’re worried that your bank might be greenwashing, below are some ways to check if it's actually sustainable:
- Check with green analysis tools Market Forces to see where the bank stands from a fossil fuel investment perspective.
- Pull up the bank's financial services guides (FSG) or sustainable or responsible banking policy documents to learn what they do with your money.
- Look for green stamps of approval that give the bank green legitimacy.
The most crucial point when picking a green bank is doing your research to double-check that it isn’t greenwashing.
What are some green banking options?
Australia has quite a few green and ethical bank options. Many of them are B-Corp certified which is always a good sign because it means that they have a positive impact on the environment.
Some green Australian banks to keep on your radar are:
- Bank Australia
- Teachers Mutual Bank
- Gateway Bank
- Bendigo Bank
Check out Mozo’s banking guides to learn more about green banks. Alternatively, check out our family finance page to learn more about green finances.
Bank account comparisons on Mozo
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Everyday Account - 2025
- Travel Debit Card - 2025
Everyday Edge Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay
0% p.a.
This bank account has no account keeping fees to pay. There are unlimited fee-free domestic transactions. Safe and secure digital banking. Fee-free card purchases and cash-out transactions in-store. Free access to thousands of ATMs nationwide. For customers 18 or over.
CompareCompareEveryday Edge Account
This bank account has no account keeping fees to pay. There are unlimited fee-free domestic transactions. Safe and secure digital banking. Fee-free card purchases and cash-out transactions in-store. Free access to thousands of ATMs nationwide. For customers 18 or over.
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- -
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit or
EFTPOS
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from counter deposit, phone, internet and EFTPOS. Free counter withdrawals.
Read reviews and learn more about Great Southern Bank bank accounts
-
Orange Everyday
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, PayTo
0% p.a.
ING’s Orange Everyday bank account offers no monthly fees and 1% cashback on eligible utility bills up to $100 (T&Cs apply). Experts Choice Awards Highly Commended Everyday & Savings Bank 2025^
CompareCompareOrange Everyday
ING’s Orange Everyday bank account offers no monthly fees and 1% cashback on eligible utility bills up to $100 (T&Cs apply). Experts Choice Awards Highly Commended Everyday & Savings Bank 2025^
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, PayTo
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- None
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Access 1% cashback on eligible utility bill payments (up to $100 per financial year), rebates on ATM fees for the first 5 fee incurring withdrawals (domestic). When you deposit at least $1,000 from an external bank account and make at least 5 card purchases using your ING debit card each month.
Read reviews and learn more about ING bank accounts
-
Everyday Global Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Pay
0% p.a.
Enjoy $0 monthly account fees and international fees, with no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Buy, hold and spend in 10 currencies (AUD included) and earn 2% cashback for purchases under $100 (T&C’s apply). Mozo's Experts Choice 2025 winner for Exceptional Everyday Account.^
CompareCompareEveryday Global Account
Enjoy $0 monthly account fees and international fees, with no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Buy, hold and spend in 10 currencies (AUD included) and earn 2% cashback for purchases under $100 (T&C’s apply). Mozo's Experts Choice 2025 winner for Exceptional Everyday Account.^
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- HSBC
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from HSBC ATMs, EFTPOS, phone, internet, BPAY and direct debits
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC bank accounts
-
Everyday Options Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID
0.01% p.a.
Enjoy 0% foreign currency conversion fees on Visa Debit card purchases. Plus make an eligible purchase using your linked Visa Debit card to earn cashback at participating merchants. $0 monthly account keeping fees & the option to open up to 9 sub-accounts. Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882). The SUNCORP brand and Sun Logo are used by Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited) under licence and Suncorp Bank is not part of the Suncorp Group.
CompareCompareEveryday Options Account
Enjoy 0% foreign currency conversion fees on Visa Debit card purchases. Plus make an eligible purchase using your linked Visa Debit card to earn cashback at participating merchants. $0 monthly account keeping fees & the option to open up to 9 sub-accounts. Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited ABN 66 010 831 722 AFSL 229882 Australian Credit Licence 229882). The SUNCORP brand and Sun Logo are used by Suncorp Bank (Norfina Limited) under licence and Suncorp Bank is not part of the Suncorp Group.
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID
- interest rate
- 0.01% p.a.
- ATM networks
- Suncorp
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
Balances from $1: 0.01% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from own-bank ATM, atmx ATM, Big 4 banks ATM, EFTPOS, counter withdrawals, counter deposits, phone and internet
Read reviews and learn more about Suncorp Bank bank accounts
-
Choice
$5.00$0 monthly account fee for 12 months when you open an account by 30 May 2025. Account fee is also waived for customers that deposit at least $2,000 per month.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, Digital Card
0% p.a.
Enjoy no monthly account-keeping fees for the first 12 months, for deposits of $2,000 a month or for eligible customers. No withdrawal fees at branded and select non-branded ATMs. No international transfer fees when sending foreign currency overseas via Online Banking or the Westpac App. Unlimited free transactions and account enquiries.
CompareCompareChoice
Enjoy no monthly account-keeping fees for the first 12 months, for deposits of $2,000 a month or for eligible customers. No withdrawal fees at branded and select non-branded ATMs. No international transfer fees when sending foreign currency overseas via Online Banking or the Westpac App. Unlimited free transactions and account enquiries.
- account fee
- $5.00$0 monthly account fee for 12 months when you open an account by 30 May 2025. Account fee is also waived for customers that deposit at least $2,000 per month.
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, Digital Card
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- Westpac, St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne
- What kind of card?
- Debit Mastercard
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from internet, phone, network ATMs, EFTPOS, BPAY, branch deposits and withdrawals, and cheque.
Read reviews and learn more about Westpac bank accounts
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Everyday Account - 2025
Spend Account
$0.00
Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay
0% p.a.
This account works hand in hand with the USave account. No monthly fees on any of your spend accounts. No uBank international fees to pay. Get instant access to Apple Pay and Google Pay. Plus you could go into the draw to win 1 of 50 cash prizes by signing up and using your Ubank Visa Debit Card between now and 30 June 2025 (T&Cs apply).
CompareCompareSpend Account
This account works hand in hand with the USave account. No monthly fees on any of your spend accounts. No uBank international fees to pay. Get instant access to Apple Pay and Google Pay. Plus you could go into the draw to win 1 of 50 cash prizes by signing up and using your Ubank Visa Debit Card between now and 30 June 2025 (T&Cs apply).
- account fee
- $0.00
- Payment Options
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay
- interest rate
- 0% p.a.
- ATM networks
- none
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited eftpos, debit, ATM, and banking app transactions using internet banking or the ubank iOS or Android app.
Read reviews and learn more about ubank bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Bank Account Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.