The index ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being extremely concerned, and is based on job security, health, the ability to fund retirement, cost of living, and government policy. 

Overall, Australians believed their living costs had fallen over the past three months, particularly in lockdown-affected sectors like entertainment, travel, eating out, and transport. 

Groceries topped the list of living costs, followed by utilities, medical expenses, telecommunications, and rent. 

Need somewhere to store cash and earn interest? The table below features savings accounts with some of the highest non-introductory interest rates on the market.

Provider

4000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
  • No withdrawal notice periods or interest rate penalties
  • Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace
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Savings Account

  • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
  • No withdrawal notice periods or interest rate penalties
  • Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace
Disclosure
400$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Special offer: Savings Accelerator (Kick Starter offer).
  • For a limited time, new ING customers can get a bonus 0.70% p.a. on their savings rate on balances of $150,000 up to $500,000 for the first 4 months. T&Cs apply.
  • If your balance is over $500,000 (but less than $5 million) you will earn the ongoing variable rate of 4.7%
Disclosure

Savings Accelerator

  • Special offer: Savings Accelerator (Kick Starter offer).
  • For a limited time, new ING customers can get a bonus 0.70% p.a. on their savings rate on balances of $150,000 up to $500,000 for the first 4 months. T&Cs apply.
  • If your balance is over $500,000 (but less than $5 million) you will earn the ongoing variable rate of 4.7%
Disclosure
000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Set up your Pay Cycle and connect your accounts from over 140 financial institutions.
  • Retrace your spending steps into categories with Spending Footprint.
  • No monthly or international fees on any of your transactions.
Disclosure

Save Account

  • Set up your Pay Cycle and connect your accounts from over 140 financial institutions.
  • Retrace your spending steps into categories with Spending Footprint.
  • No monthly or international fees on any of your transactions.
Disclosure
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Earn up to 5.20% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
  • No account fees
  • Easy access to your money

AMP Saver Account

  • Earn up to 5.20% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
  • No account fees
  • Easy access to your money
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Deposit at least $1,000+ each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions. Grow your savings balance each month
Disclosure

Savings Maximiser

  • Deposit at least $1,000+ each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions. Grow your savings balance each month
Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of December 6, 2024. View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Although the cost of living was the biggest driver of overall anxiety, it was only marginally ahead of government policy, where anxiety has risen as JobKeeper and JobSeeker begin to wind back. 

Anxiety around job security also lifted to be well above the survey average. 

By state, anxiety was highest in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), followed by Queensland and Western Australia.

Victoria had the highest anxiety around job security and government policy, while New South Wales and the ACT had the highest anxiety around health, retirement funding, and cost of living. 

Anxiety fell in all other states and was lowest in Tasmania. 

nabanxiety01

Source: NAB

Men continued to have lower anxiety than women, with women substantially more anxious about the cost of living and retirement funding. 

Fewer consumers cut back on spending compared to the previous quarter, but spending still continued to be driven by the essentials. 

The biggest improvements in non-essential spending were on eating out, entertainment, and travel and holidays. 

Saving still trumps spending 

Despite renewed optimism about spending in the next 12 months, more people intend to spend less than those who intend to spend more. 

Areas where people to expect to spend more are home renovations, private health insurance, and residential property. 

Consumers intend to spend less on cars, investment properties, school fees, and holidays. 

nabanxiety03

Source: NAB

The biggest behavioural change in consumers was being mindful of where they spent their money (+39%), highlighting the importance of value pricing. 

NAB reported value perception had become increasingly important post-COVID as consumer perceived value was grounded in the belief that a product or service meets their needs or expectations. 

Supporting local business (+35%) was the next most common behavioural change, underlining the opportunity for small business post-COVID. 

NAB research showed trust levels towards small businesses were extremely high. 

Other key areas where consumer behaviours are changing most included: 

  • More buying online to avoid going into a store (+23%),
  • Switching to less expensive products to save money (+20%),
  • Doing more research before buying (+18%), and 
  • Purchasing products based on availability (+17%). 

Amid continued lockdown restrictions, a much larger number of consumers in Victoria did more buying online, purchased more products based on availability, shopped on a new website, bought a product due to convenience, and tried a new brand or product.