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Budgeting is something that many of us don't like to consider as we think it will tie us down. But if you really stop and think about it, budgeting is simply a means of looking at your income and expenditure and deciding on what is most important to you. Once you identify what you want to achieve, a budget is a tool to help you get there. Tracking your spending Where does all my money go? Very few people can answer this question accurately. Learning how and where you spend your money is the first step in managing your finances. Keep a financial diary Select a defined time period eg a month or 4 weeks; Record all of your spending in a notebook, create as many categories as you need e.g. petrol, lunch, transport etc; Ensure you include small items such as snacks, drinks, parking meters, tolls, donations etc; At the end of the month, use the category totals as part of your annual budget; You may choose to look for any spending that was spontaneous, wasteful or a luxury that you could do without in the future. How to curb impulse buying Next time you are tempted by an unplanned purchase, ask yourself: Do I really need it? Will I really use it? Will I still like it next month/next year? Is the price likely to be reduced at an end-of-season sale? If I don't buy it now, do I want it so much that I will make a special trip later to come back and buy it? Planning a budget A budget can help you plan your expenses and save for things you want. Managing credit or simply covering expenses is not always easy but following these steps will help you control your finances: Add up your earnings each week (or fortnight or month) Subtract regular payments or basic expenses; Rent or mortgage repayments; Food and household needs; Utilities (phone/electricity/water); Transport expenses (travel passes, petrol, car registration, maintenance); Health needs; Insurance (health, house, car, travel etc) You should include yearly expenses such as car registration and insurance in your budget. You can divide these totals by 52 for the amount to budget for each week (or divide by 26 for the amount to budget each fortnight or by 12 if your budget is calculated on a monthly basis). Subtract regular payments for lifestyle bills and expenses: Entertainment; Clothing; Personal grooming; Home appliances If you are not sure as to how much you spend; either make an estimate and review it after 3 months; or consider tracking your spending for a month. Allocate additional funds to cover Loan repayments; Additional superannuation contributions The amount of money that is left can be used to buy things that you want or to save. Online budget calculator To help you plan your budget, you can utilise our budget calculator which takes into consideration all of your general expenses and gives you an idea as to how much you could save. Check our online calculators here. Saving Saving may appear to be difficult and disciplined, but think of the feeling of being able to afford to buy something you have wanted for a long time. Here are some tips to help you on your way. Set yourself a savings target Aim to save 10% of your gross annual income. This breaks down to 5% for short-term goals and 5% for long-term goals. Tip - the 10% rule If you've never been a successful saver before, start off slowly. Leave committing to medium or long-term goals for a while until you're confident a saving strategy is within your reach. Set yourself one short-term goal - perhaps 3 months away - that requires only a small amount of cash; Then set aside 10% of your income each week in a separate savings account; At the end of 3 months, withdraw the cash to pay for your small goal - perhaps a weekend away or a new piece of clothing - and if there is any money left over make that the first instalment in your next savings goal. Develop a safety buffer The key to successful money management is to put funds aside during the good times and to minimise financial stress during bad times. Remember to allow for unexpected debts and emergencies e.g. illness in the family, loss or breakage of possessions, career interruptions etc. Tip - how much is enough? Singles and couples should consider developing an emergency fund equal to 2 months take-home pay in case of retrenchment or emergencies. Those with young families should aim to build up an emergency fund equal to 3 months take-home pay. Quick budget reminders Don't make your budget so tight that it's impossible to keep; A budget is not set in stone. It is there to help, not hinder you. A sign of a successful budget is one that is flexible during tough times and able to reward you when your prospects are brighter; If you blow your budget one month, try to make up for lost finance in areas that are more flexible e.g entertainment or eating out; Revisit your budget every 3 months to see if there are any areas you can tighten up to improve your financial flow. Explore a Range of Savings Accounts for Your Financial Goals - Learn more.

Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but the process can feel overwhelming if you're not sure what to expect. From preparing your finances and securing pre-approval to making an offer, settling, and moving in, this guide outlines the key steps to help you navigate your home buying journey with confidence. Prepare and understand your finances Find out how much you can borrow You can use one of Unity Bank’s calculators found here. Work out how much you can put down as a deposit You’ll typically be required to have a minimum 20% deposit of the purchase price of the home. The larger your deposit, the smaller your home loan will be and the less interest you will pay over the long run. For deposits less than 20%, you’ll incur Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can generally form part of the overall loan. Appreciate all other costs involved Apart from establishing a home loan and paying regular interest, other supplementary costs are involved when buying a home. Some of these extra costs may include stamp duty, LMI, insurance premiums, legal and conveyancing fees, agent fees, valuation fees and even pest control expenses. Explore any government grants / schemes / concessions that you might be eligible for You may be able to save money and buy a home sooner than expected with assistance from the government. In particular, many government programs are developed with the aim of helping first home buyers. These may reduce costs or boost your deposit. Unity Bank is a proud supporter and participant of many of these grants / schemes / concessions, including: Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme First Home Owner Grant First Home Super Saver Scheme Queensland’s Boost to Buy Shared Equity Scheme State-based stamp duty concessions for first home buyers Set up a budget / Save for a deposit It is wise to start making a budget early, and build your deposit regularly over time. This may mean you will have to make some lifestyle changes. Unity Bank’s Budget Planner Calculator may help with this.   Do your research & apply for conditional home loan pre-approval You need to become familiar with the various features, costs and conditions of home loans. Some important home loan characteristics include: The interest rate and how it is calculated Whether you’d like to make loan repayments monthly, fortnightly or weekly The difference between fixed rate and variable rate loans Loan attributes such as extra repayment limits, splits, redraw and offset facilities Any upfront or ongoing loan fees, such as strata or council rates Find out your creditworthiness Before you are approved for a home loan, banks typically assess your repayment capabilities, i.e. serviceability. They do this by reviewing your income, expenses, assets and liabilities. It's a way for lenders to determine if you're able to manage ongoing repayments and pay back what you have borrowed. Apply for a conditional pre-approval If all goes well, banks can then give you a conditional pre-approval (or approval in principle) so that you can attend auctions / make purchase offers with greater peace of mind. This is basically an estimate of how much money you can borrow from your lender.   Attend inspections and discover your future home Write down the ideal suburbs where you would like to live Liveability means different things to different people. Some factors to consider include: Schools and hospitals Public transport and parking Cafes, shops and local restaurants Green space and parks Noise levels and proximity to roads Flood-prone areas and bushfire-prone land Neighbourhood culture and upcoming developments Understand what type of property you are looking for Many property types are available including houses, townhouses, villas and apartments. You can also buy new, established or off the plan. Other aspects you might consider are what number of rooms you would like, if a backyard essential, what the natural lighting is like, are there large trees nearby, and what is the property orientation. Leverage property platforms Online property websites such as realestate.com.au and domain.com.au are valuable tools that provide insight into property trends, recent sales and comparable properties currently on the market. Attend property inspections / open homes By attending different homes, you will gradually get an understanding of what you like and don’t like, and also what the market pricing is. Also check online listings regularly and engage with real estate agents.   Make an offer Review the contract of sale, then make an offer After reviewing the necessary documentation (preferably with your solicitor or conveyancer), make your offer to the seller. Success! Now settlement starts Sign and date the contract of sale and pay the deposit (usually 10% of the property price). Settlement begins after the contract is signed, and can generally take up to 90 days. Settlement refers to the legal procedures where property ownership is transferred to you (the buyer), and the remaining purchase price is paid. During this period, you will need to apply to have your conditionally pre-approved loan formally changed to an ‘unconditional approval’. This may involve the bank requiring more documentation from you, and a property valuation taking place. Conduct a final inspection Remember to complete a final inspection just before settlement. This ensures that the property is in good condition. For example, you may check: Heating, cooling and hot water are functioning Everything electrical and plumbing-related is in working order Fixtures, lighting and surfaces are undamaged Any agreed repairs have been completed Rubbish has been taken away, and there are no pest infestations You may hire a professional defect / building inspector if desired. Protect your new home We’re only human, and the unexpected can always happen in life. Cover yourself against potential risks by arranging any insurance products such as home and contents insurance from the purchase date.   Time to settle, and then move in Provide the remaining funds to complete the purchase, and pick up the keys Congratulations, you are now a homeowner!   Meet with one of our Unity Bank home loan experts Buying a home can be an overwhelming experience, but help is always available.Click here to speak to one of our home loan specialists at Unity Bank at any time – whether online, over the phone or in person.

No one’s just a number Scams Awareness Week 2026 runs from 24 to 28 August and is a chance for all of us to talk more openly about scams and how to stay safe.  This year’s theme, ‘No one’s just a number’, reminds us that behind every scam report is a real person - a parent, friend, neighbour or colleague - whose money, time or trust has been stolen. Scams can happen to anyone, and being targeted by a scammer is never a reflection of a person’s intelligence or character. As a mutual bank, the trust and safety of our members are among our highest priorities. We are committed to helping protect member data, raising awareness of online risks, and ensuring our members have the knowledge to respond to threats with confidence and care. Common types of scams and cyber threats Scams and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent. Some of the most common include: Phishing emails: Scammers pose as trusted organisations, sending emails that prompt recipients to click malicious links, download harmful attachments, or reveal sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details. Romance scams: Fraudsters create fake identities online to form emotional connections, eventually convincing victims to send money for fabricated emergencies. Lottery and prize scams: Scammers falsely declare victims as lottery winners, demanding upfront payments or personal data to claim fictitious prizes, resulting in financial loss or identity theft. Bank impersonation scams: Scammers impersonates a bank or financial institution to trick their victims into making payments to a fraudulent account. Tax time SMS and email scams: These scams encourage people to click on a link that directs them to a fake MyGov sign-in pages designed to steal their username and password. E.g. phrases include: 'You are due to receive an ATO direct refund”, or “You have an ATO notification.” Linkt Toll scams: Messages (SMS or WhatsApp mostly) request payment or updated billing information through a fraudulent link. Phone scams: Scammers call victims pretending to be from government agencies, tech support, banks or delivery services to steal information or money. Impersonation scams: Fraudsters pose as trusted individuals, such as colleagues, family member, or CEO, to request urgent payments or sensitive data. Fake websites: They mimic real websites to steal credentials or infect your device with malware when you enter information or download content. Malware attacks: Malicious software is installed via unsafe links or downloads, allowing scammers to access your personal or financial information. Remote access scams: Scammers convince victims to grant access to their computer or mobile device, often claiming to be tech support. Three steps. Any scam. Any situation. Scammers use pressure, trust and convincing stories to make people act quickly, but 3 simple steps can help. Stop: Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details. Check: Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action. Protect: Act quickly if something feels wrong. The sooner you take action, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers. Report any suspicious activity immediately to us on 1300 364 400 and the appropriate authorities (e.g. Scamwatch, your IT support or local police). No one is immune, stay alert and informed. That’s why we’re focused on continuing to strengthen our digital security, educating both members and staff, and providing the tools and training needed to protect what matters most: our members’ information and financial wellbeing. Additional tips for protection Never share your password with anyone. Use complex, unique passwords for different accounts. Avoid using easily guessed words. (e.g. “123456”, “password”, “birth dates”) Don’t reuse passwords across platforms. Keep your devices updated with the latest security. Be cautious of unsolicited messages or offers that sound too good to be true. Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments, especially from unknown sources. Our commitment to you Scams Awareness Week is a timely reminder of the importance of staying safe online. As your mutual bank, we will continue to: Provide ongoing cybersecurity training to help our staff stay alert. Share useful resources and alerts to help members identify and avoid scams. Maintain strong data protection policies and invest in secure technology. Monitor cyber threats closely and act quickly to protect member accounts. This Scams Awareness Week, take a moment to reflect on your online habits, have conversations with friends and family about scam safety, and help spread the message 'No one’s just a number'.  Need help? If you believe someone has gained access to your bank account and/or personal information, even if the scam appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately. A timely response can be critical. If you have concerns about your account contact us immediately. You can report cybercrime directly to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) or National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) – Scamwatch. Find out how scams work, how to protect yourself, what to do if you’ve been scammed or report a scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via Scamwatch. Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts. To understand how we help to keep you safe, please refer to our Security page. For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the News section of our website.

With millions of Australians set to share personal information as part of the upcoming Census, we are urging members to stay alert to scams impersonating the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This year, Census night will take place on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Many households will have already received a paper letter with instructions to complete the form online, or through paper forms if preferred. "If you're contacted about the Census, take a moment to verify the email, phone call, text, or form before responding with your personal details. Scammers often take advantage of major events and impersonate government organisations to target unsuspecting Australians. A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference,” advised COBA’s Head of Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience Martin Latimer. What is the Census? Conducted every five years, the Census provides a snapshot of Australia's population and housing by counting every person and household across the country. This data is used to inform policy on important issues including business, infrastructure, transport, schooling, and healthcare. The Census form asks questions such as age, cultural background, work, country of birth, and education. Importantly, it does not ask for bank account or credit card details, tax file numbers, passwords, or identity documents such as passports or driver's licences. Australians will never be offered prizes, rewards or incentives for completing the Census. Any such offer should be treated as a potential scam. Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, completing the Census is compulsory. What are signs of genuine Census communications? A common tactic used by scammers is to impersonate reputable government agencies to create a false sense of legitimacy and trust. If you are approached by anyone claiming to be from the ABS, remember that genuine staff must carry an ABS identification card while undertaking Census work. They also wear a bright yellow satchel. Genuine Census letters will display the ABS logo in the top-left corner. Paper forms will include a Reply Paid envelope with the address: Reply Paid 93909, DANDENONG VIC 3175. Census-related emails, including Census login details and security codes, will only be sent from official email addresses ending in @abs.gov.au. Generally, they will only be sent to people who have provided their details online and requested a response. Similarly, the ABS will only send an SMS message if someone has requested Census login details or security codes. They will come from the sender ID ‘CENSUS’. Any messages from sender IDs that display ‘Unverified’ or other names is likely to be a scam. Unsure if this is a Census-related scam? If in doubt, members are urged not to click any unsolicited links regarding the Census or the ABS. Instead, visit the official ABS website in a new browser to contact them directly. You can report any suspicious emails, phone calls, or messages via Scamwatch or by contacting the ABS Support Line on 1300 100 557. If you believe someone has gained access to your personal information, even if it appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately on 1300 364 400. A timely response can be critical in giving you the best chance to stem any loss. To help yourself and others stay scam-safe, keep in mind the simple, three-step “Stop. Check. Protect” method – take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone, make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real, and act quickly if something feels wrong. Need help? If you believe someone has gained access to your bank account and/or personal information, even if the scam appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately. A timely response can be critical. If you have concerns about your account contact us immediately. You can report cybercrime directly to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) or National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) – Scamwatch. Find out how scams work, how to protect yourself, what to do if you’ve been scammed or report a scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via Scamwatch. Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts. As always, we remain committed to your security and privacy online. To understand how we help to keep you safe, please refer to our Security page. For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the News section of our website.

Observed annually on 12 August, International Youth Day celebrates the energy, ambition and resilience of young people around the world. This year’s theme, ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’, recognises that while young people may face different challenges, they share many of the same goals: opportunity, security, education, meaningful work and a brighter future. This emphasises how it’s more important than ever to equip them with the skills they need to thrive, one of these being the gift of a strong foundation in financial skills and literacy. As we celebrate our young people, here are five useful habits to make sure your kids and teenagers have the right foundations to build wealth and financial security. Create a savings account Making regular deposits into a savings account is a great way to learn about discipline and the power of compound interest. Consider setting up a customer-owned bank account with your child or teenager to show them the rewards of saving regularly. Today’s apps allow customers to engage with the process in real time, which means they can watch their savings grow without having to wait for a statement. Build a rainy day or emergency fund A rainy day or emergency fund teaches kids that while unexpected things can happen in life, having a small buffer can sometimes help soften the blow. Think about encouraging kids to separate their savings into different categories for different occasions, including one for surprise costs. Look to superannuation early For working tweens and teens, retirement is usually decades away, which often means retirement is one of the last things on their mind. However, building some awareness of super can help with general savings knowledge and long-term planning. A good start is making sure they’re paid the right amount of super if working and are not overpaying on fees. Get budgeting A budget helps differentiate between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ and can be useful for teenagers and adults. Consider working through budgeting apps with your kids and creating a savings competition or including them in the household budgeting. Practice scam awareness While young people under 16 in Australia are restricted from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, and Reddit, it’s still important for them to understand scam safety if they come across fraudulent behavior online. This includes topics like understanding the signs of a phishing attempt, good password hygiene, and how to stop, check, protect – pausing before giving money or personal information to anyone, making sure the person or organisation they are dealing with is real, and acting quickly if something feels wrong. With a gentle nudge, young people can combine their digital skills with money awareness to build habits for life.

Yesterday, 8 July, marked International Paramedics Day, a global day of recognition celebrating the dedication, resilience and compassion of paramedics and first responders who provide life-saving care in communities around the world. Launched in 2022, International Paramedics Day is recognised by ambulance services, healthcare organisations and professional bodies worldwide. In Australia, it is supported by the Australasian College of Paramedicine and the Council of Ambulance Authorities, bringing the profession together to celebrate the critical role paramedics play in providing high-quality patient care.This year's theme, "Innovate & Integrate," recognises the many ways paramedics continue to advance patient care through innovation, research, education, digital technology and stronger collaboration across the healthcare system to meet the evolving needs of their communities. At Unity Bank, we acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of paramedics and first responders who care for our communities every day. Across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, more than 23,000 registered paramedics and more than 11,000 trained volunteer first responders provide expert care in some of the most challenging and unpredictable environments, working across road, air, industrial, defence, humanitarian and community healthcare settings. Supporting NSW Ambulance Unity Bank is proud to continue a long-standing relationship with NSW Ambulance through the legacy of G&C Mutual Bank, including sponsorship of the NSW Ambulance Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year Awards for more than a decade.  As we reflect on International Paramedics Day, we thank all paramedics and first responders for their professionalism, resilience and unwavering commitment to caring for our communities. Their dedication makes a lasting difference every day.