Is a savings account worth it in 2023?
For high interest rate chasers, savings accounts are pretty appealing right now. Following multiple cash rate hikes in 2022, rates have continued to increase.
It didn’t take us long to come up with five reasons to consider a savings account. Here’s our summary of why savings accounts are still worth it in 2023.
A piggy bank, with extra room
When all is said and done, a savings account is basically a modern day piggy bank with a bit of extra room. It’s a safe place to stash funds out of reach, in preparation for a rainy day.
In Australia, all authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) are backed by the federal government’s Financial Claims Scheme. In other words, that’s all banks, mutual banks and credit unions. Under the scheme, deposits per customer per ADI are backed by the government up to $250,000. That means that if your bank were to fail, up to $250,000 of your money would be secure. So just like a piggy bank on your bedside table, a savings account is pretty safe.
Money out of sight, out of mind
As most savings accounts don’t come with a linked debit card, accessing funds at a moment’s notice is harder. Impulse purchases are difficult to make when you don’t have access to an ATM or the option to make tap and go payments. To access savings, usually you will have to transfer them across to an everyday transaction account.
It’s not ideal to move money out of your savings, and banks will even discourage it. Often you will be hit with either a transfer fee or the interest rate on the savings account will be reduced dramatically. For all these reasons, a savings account really becomes a place to keep money out of sight and out of mind.
Low risk, low maintenance
Compared to share trading and buying on credit, an emergency savings fund is a fairly low risk way to be prepared for tough times. As mentioned above, ADI-licenced banks are backed by the Financial Claims Guarantee scheme too. So if you’re not big on investing or you’re worried about racking up debt with a credit card, a savings account could be a less stress-inducing option.
As well as being low risk, savings accounts are also often low maintenance. The only thing you usually have to remember is to deposit money regularly into your stash. A number of banks even have the option to set up automatic bank transfers, meaning you might not even have to worry about remembering that!
Savings tools to write home about
In 2023 there are many savings account that come with nifty tools to help you stash cash. Features that come with some accounts these days include roundup tools, spending insights and reminders to pay money in.
These extra features can encourage you to save more and regularly. Things like spending trackers and insights are also useful to help paint a bigger picture of what you spend your money on, on a daily basis. You could even use the insights to help you cut back.
A bit of interest on the side
Finally, while rates are low at the moment, it is still possible to earn a bit of interest on your savings. For example, at the moment the average ongoing interest rate for savings accounts tracked in the Mozo database is 2.48% p.a.*
Looking for a new savings account? Then head to Mozo’s compare savings accounts page to review what accounts are on offer right now.
Compare savings accounts - last updated 28 March 2024
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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 four months.
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareSavings Account
Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 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 four months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Macquarie Savings Account
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Kick Start Savings - 2024
High Interest Savings Account
5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Savings Account
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.
- Maximum rate
- 5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
- standard interest rate
- 4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening, reverting to standard variable rate. Rate shown is for Personal customers and is subject to change. Different rates apply to Business/SMSF customers.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account
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Reward Saver Account
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
CompareCompareReward Saver Account
Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.
- Access
- ATM, EFTPOS, Visa Debit, Cheque book, BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking, Bank@Post
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the IMB Bank Reward Saver Account
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Reward Saver
5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.30% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Earn a high interest bonus rate if you hold an eligible transaction account and meet the bonus rate conditions (T&Cs apply). Only requires $1 to open. Free e-banking transactions. No monthly service fees to pay. Access your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app. Not applicable to business customers.
CompareCompareReward Saver
Earn a high interest bonus rate if you hold an eligible transaction account and meet the bonus rate conditions (T&Cs apply). Only requires $1 to open. Free e-banking transactions. No monthly service fees to pay. Access your account via e-banking or the Bendigo Bank app. Not applicable to business customers.
- Maximum rate
- 5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.30% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Grow your balance each month and must have linked Bendigo Everyday or Student Account to be eligible.
- Access
- BPay, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bendigo Bank Reward Saver
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- High Interest Savings - 2024
AMP Saver Account
5.40% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
1.20% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Enjoy a bonus rate when you deposit at least $1000 per month with the AMP Saver Account.
No account fees. Unlimited transactions when linked to an AMP Bank transaction account. Easy online access to your money. Option to link your savings account to an everyday transaction account. 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareAMP Saver Account
No account fees. Unlimited transactions when linked to an AMP Bank transaction account. Easy online access to your money. Option to link your savings account to an everyday transaction account. 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.40% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 1.20% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Ongoing total variable bonus rate of up to 5.40% per annum applies if customers deposit $1,000 in the previous month. Available only on balances up to $250,000.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Ongoing total variable bonus rate up to 5.40% p.a. is earned on the balance the month after you deposit $1,000 and is paid the following month, on balances up to $250k. Max balance per customer name is $5 million.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the AMP Bank AMP Saver Account
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
*Average based on savings accounts tracked in the Mozo database, correct as of 12 January 2023.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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