Intense cost of living pressures cause rising distress among Aussies ahead of RBA decision
New data reveals that nearly half (46%) of Australians are experiencing ‘elevated distress’ due to cost of living pressure, particularly those who are “middle-age, middle-wage”. A further 23% report growing distress over housing affordability, up 2% from the December quarter.
As the Reserve Bank deliberates its next cash rate decision today, calls for the central bank to consider “human, not just economic, wellbeing” have renewed.
Despite determination to save money, rate hikes leave many Aussies behind
RBA governor Philip Lowe has maintained that unchecked inflation’s ‘corrosive’ effect hurts vulnerable Australians more than rate hikes.
In this, he argues, the central bank’s aggressive monetary policy may hurt but will ultimately safeguard the long-term welfare of Australians, since it theoretically ensures the smoothest dip in the business cycle while avoiding a recession.
However, Suicide Prevention Australia – who supplied the data in its latest quarterly Community Tracker report – urged the RBA to consider the “human face” behind today’s interest rate decision.
“We’re deeply concerned about the impact that [the] cost of living is having on Australians,” states CEO Nieves Murray.
“When we are talking about suicide, it’s important to remember that every number represents a human life and a cascade of grief and healing across the impacted communities.”
Suicide Prevention Australia’s data matches similar findings from the new NAB Australian Wellbeing Survey, which found that half of Aussies (51%) are concerned by the cost of living.
“Australians are more engaged with their finances than they have been for a long time, in part due to their concerns around increased living costs,” says NAB personal banking executive Mark Baylis.
But despite the increased attention and effort to build up their savings, 20% of Aussies told NAB they have fewer savings now than they did in December.
Both data sets serve as a timely reminder that mental health and money can be closely correlated.
Lifeline 13 11 14. Mental health resources.
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Savings Account
5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
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Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
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Savings Maximiser
5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Deposit $1,000 into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions with a linked Orange Everyday account and grow the balance each month.
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
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Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- For customers who deposit $1000 from an external source into a personal ING account (excluding Orange One and Living Super), make 5 eligible transactions and grow their nominated Savings Maximiser account each month so there is more in the account at the end of the month than there was at the start of each month (excluding interest). The total bonus interest rate is available on balances up to $100,000 on one Savings Maximiser the next month after meeting eligibility.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
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- $0.00
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- Must be linked to an Orange Everyday transaction account to receive the bonus rate. Where multiple Savings Maximiser Accounts are held, the bonus rate is only applied to one nominated account.
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MoneyMAX Account
No Current Offer
4.70% p.a.(for $1 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Unlimited access 24/7 via Banking App, Phone & Internet Banking. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. No transaction fees or monthly service fees. No minimum balance or withdrawal restrictions. Online access only.
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Unlimited access 24/7 via Banking App, Phone & Internet Banking. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. No transaction fees or monthly service fees. No minimum balance or withdrawal restrictions. Online access only.
- Maximum rate
- No Current Offer
- standard interest rate
- 4.70% p.a.(for $1 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- n/a
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Branch access for deposits only.
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Savings Accelerator
3.55% p.a. (for $0 to $50,000)
2.85% p.a.(for $0 to $50,000)
Yes up to $250,000
New customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000.
Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
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Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 3.55% p.a. (for $0 to $50,000)
- standard interest rate
- 2.85% p.a.(for $0 to $50,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- New ING personal savings customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000. Reverts to variable ongoing rate.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
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Life - 18-29 years old
5.20% p.a. (for $0 to $30,000)
1.85% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Make 5 eligible card purchases per month with a linked Westpac Choice account, make one deposit and grow the balance each month.
Are you 18 - 29 years of age? Earn up to a generous variable interest rate on your savings when you spend and save with Westpac. For individuals aged 18 to 29 on Westpac Life account balances up to $30,000.
CompareCompareLife - 18-29 years old
Are you 18 - 29 years of age? Earn up to a generous variable interest rate on your savings when you spend and save with Westpac. For individuals aged 18 to 29 on Westpac Life account balances up to $30,000.
- Maximum rate
- 5.20% p.a. (for $0 to $30,000)
- standard interest rate
- 1.85% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Make 5 eligible card purchases per month with a Westpac Choice account and min 1 deposit and higher balance than at the beginning of the month in Life savings account.
- Access
- Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must hold a Westpac Choice transaction account. If 5 eligible card purchases are made each month, but savings account balance has not increased, a 2.00% interest rate still applies.
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