The latest GDP data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the December quarter highlighted a drop in the household net savings rate to 12% of net disposable income, down from 18.7% in the last quarter. 

This is still very high considering this savings rate hit an 11-year low of 3% in September 2019, but the fall suggests a return to normal levels is on the cards, considering it almost reached 20% in June 2020.

The significant drop in the savings rate is clearly a signal Australians are beginning to loosen their purse strings again, after squirreling away an extra $200 billion in savings throughout 2020. 

“With an additional $200 billion sitting on household and business balance sheets compared to the start of last year there is a huge sum of money available to be spent across the economy helping to create jobs and maintain the momentum of our economic recovery," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said last year.

Indeed they have been, with eased restrictions leading to a 4.3% increase in household spending over the quarter, although spending is still 2.7% below December 2019's figures. 

Spending on cars in particular skyrocketed 31.8%, which is an all-time ABS record high. 

“Despite growing at 10.4% for the quarter, household spending in Victoria was 7.2% below its pre-COVID level," ABS Head of National Accounts Michael Smedes said. 

"Household spending for the rest of Australia, excluding Victoria, was 1.1% lower than pre-COVID levels."

Still looking for somewhere to stash your cash?The table below features savings accounts with some of the highest interest rates on the market.

Update resultsUpdate
BankSavings AccountBase Interest Rate Max Interest Rate Total Interest Earned Introductory Term Minimum Amount Maximum Amount Minimum Monthly Deposit Minimum Opening Deposit ATM Access Joint Application TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
4.40% p.a.
5.75% p.a.
Intro rate for 4 months
then 4.40% p.a.
$980
4 months
$0
$250,000
$0
$0
Featured
  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance
4.75% p.a.
5.35% p.a.
Intro rate for 4 months
then 4.75% p.a.
$1,001
4 months
$0
$249,999
$0
$0
Featured
  • 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
2.85% p.a.
3.55% p.a.
Intro rate for 4 months
then 2.85% p.a.
$621
4 months
$0
$49,999
$0
$0
Featured
  • For deposit amounts $0 - $49,999
  • New ING personal savings customers receive an introductory bonus 0.50% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000.
  • Reverts to variable ongoing rate. T&Cs apply.
Bonus rate of 5.50%
Rate varies on savings amount.
5.50% p.a.
$1,128
$0
$100,000
$0
$0
Featured *Rate varies on savings amount
  • Deposit $500 per month to get bonus interest
  • 5.50% p.a. available on total savings up to $100k.
  • 5.00% p.a. applies to savings between $100k-250K.
  • Tiered bonus rates apply. (TMDs at ubank.com.au)
0.55% p.a.
Bonus rate of 4.95%
Rate varies on savings amount.
5.50% p.a.
$1,128
$0
$100,000
$1,000
$0
  • Deposit at least $1,000+ each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions
  • Grow your savings balance each month
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 . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Spending looks set to continue growth in 2021 

Although the next quarterly data from the ABS won't come out for another three months, most evidence seems to point towards an upwards spending trend this year. 

Citi's latest Credit Card Index, for example, found a 28% spike in daily average spend, following a 19% decline in the January 'holiday hangover' period. 

That's based on more than one million Citi credit card customers' data. 

Choong Yu Lum, Head of Credit Cards at Citi Australia, says this result was expected as consumer confidence increases. 

"February’s 28% spike in daily spend has recovered to pre-COVID levels, indicating the new year is in full swing and consumers are making the most of a predominantly lockdown-free month,” he said. 

“Much like February, March is a month where consumers focus on life administration over leisure activities. We’ve seen a jump in spend for Legal & Tax Services and families [of] more than 80% from last month – a trend that is consistent year on year.

"With children heading back to school this February, education spend has also more than doubled.”

The impending rollout of Australia's vaccination program should also ensure a return to normal, if such a thing exists anymore. 

“With restrictions easing across most states, consumers are enjoying a sense of normalcy again and the increase in credit card spend reflects that.

"As the vaccine rolls out in the coming months, we have an optimistic outlook on spending habits as we hopefully begin to usher in the post-pandemic era.” Mr Lum said. 

Savings cliff looms for those on income support 

Although Australians are back in the shops in their droves, the most vulnerable, like those still on JobSeeker and JobKeeper, could still remain frugal as their payments are decreased from April onwards. 

That's according to ME Bank's Consulting Economist Jeff Oughton, who echoed previous ABS sentiments that income support payments contributed massively to increased financial comfort. 

"Despite households reporting a record high in financial comfort at the end of 2020, underlying economics and financial drivers indicate that this peak may be temporary and potentially quashed in 2021," he said.

“A decline in household financial comfort is likely to play out over the next six months as government support – especially JobKeeper and JobSeeker − is phased out."

See also: Most JobSeeker, JobKeeper payments being spent on the essentials

Low-income households are generally the most likely to spend their money, research shows, so there's fears lower support payments could potentially hamper Australia's economic recovery.

“Unless the economy gains further momentum from a rundown of these large saving buffers and a faster pace of household spending, prematurely ending government support could have negative consequences on the financial comfort of many households," Mr Oughton said. 

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash





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