ME Bank warns Aussies will struggle without government support
Despite the recession and Covid-19, financial comfort for Aussie households has actually increased over the past few months. The question is, are these newfound comfort levels longlasting, or a sign of skating on thin ice?
This surprising turn of events was revealed by ME Bank in its latest Household Financial Comfort report. The research shows that government support combined with Aussies becoming more money conscious has pushed financial comfort to a record high in recent months.
ME Bank’s consulting economist, Jeff Oughton says, “Fear of Covid-19 and a very weak labour market triggered many households to increase precautionary savings, reduce spending, draw on long-term savings, such as superannuation, and delay bills or loan repayments.”
Some Aussie households have less than $1,000 in savings
According to ME’s findings, around 21% of households have less than $1,000 in savings. Three percent said they would be able to maintain their current lifestyle for six months if they were to lose income, while 7% said it would only take them three months to get into hot water.
Oughton says that while government stimulus has bought some time and helped boost financial resilience for households, a savings cliff is still looming for many Aussies, should government support taper.
“Unless the economy gains momentum, tapering government support too soon could have disastrous consequences on the financial comfort of households.”
Prior to the JobKeeper and JobSeeker announcements, 34% of households said they were worse off as a result of the pandemic. Things could just as easily go downhill again for many households, should government financial support be reduced.
“Financial comfort levels are up for now, but many households are on the cliff’s edge. They’ve lost income, their jobs and entire livelihoods, their water-thin savings buffer is dwindling, and government support is the main action stopping them from falling over,” says Oughton.
Lifeline for Gen Z and single parents
Although financial comfort for Gen Z and single parents has increased the most, the reality is that to remain financially stable, many have had to apply for government support, dip into their savings and super fund.
The number of Gen Zs who accessed their super early was three times higher than the national average. Around 27% were forced to dip into existing savings and 26% delayed or deferred bill payments.
Future Super co-founder Kirstin Hunter commented on the government’s early release of super scheme this month saying that superannuation was never intended to be used as a national relief fund.
Hunter said that a 32-year-old who withdraws $20,000 now could have $50,000 less in their super by the time they retire.
Building an emergency savings fund
While financial support is available at the moment for those who have lost work, over the long term it is still a good idea to have an emergency savings fund to fall back on.
We’ve come up with three easy steps to get you started on your’s:
- Review. Look at how much, if any money you have saved at the moment and think about how much you want to save and how much you can save realistically. Tip: Having enough money to cover three months worth of costs is a good rule of thumb to follow.
- Read. Read our essential guide to building an emergency savings fund to find out what your stash needs to cover and how you can get the ball rolling.
- Re-energise. Re-energise your savings with a high interest savings account. While some savings rates are close to zero right now, others are over 1.50% p.a. Compare savings accounts and make sure you’re receiving the most competitive rate possible.
Check out the savings accounts below for more options on where to keep your emergency savings fund.
Compare savings accounts - last updated 18 April 2024
-
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
-
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
-
High Interest Save Account
5.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Save Account
No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.
- Maximum rate
- 5.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Account can only be opened through iOS or Android app, but may be accessed through internet banking.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ubank High Interest Save Account
-
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
-
Savings+Bonus
5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
2.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Earn a generous interest rate on your at-call savings (T&Cs apply). Interest is calculated daily and paid to you monthly. A $5 monthly membership fee will not apply if your total account balances with First Option Bank exceed $1,000 or you have a credit card or loan with the bank.
CompareCompareSavings+Bonus
Earn a generous interest rate on your at-call savings (T&Cs apply). Interest is calculated daily and paid to you monthly. A $5 monthly membership fee will not apply if your total account balances with First Option Bank exceed $1,000 or you have a credit card or loan with the bank.
- Maximum rate
- 5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 2.00% p.a.(for $0 to $250,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $5.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Minimum $100 monthly deposit and no withdrawals to earn bonus interest.
- Access
- -
- Minimum balance
- $1.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the First Option Bank Savings+Bonus
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
Your selected savings accounts
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings 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.