Saver Plus
Saver Plus eases the burden of back to school costs
The Back to School period can be an expensive time for families, particularly lower-income households when school costs quickly add up with text books, uniforms, excursions, camps and the list goes on!
The Saver Plus program is supporting Australian families to ease the financial burden of back to school expenses through financial education and up to $500 in matched savings for educational costs.
Delivered across 61 sites in Australia, the 10-month program has already benefited more than 16,000 Australians, encouraging them to set financial goals and learn about long-term savings habits.
Click here to enquire about our Saver Plus program today!
Latest findings from the Saver Plus program
On Wednesday 5 December, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ released their latest study into Saver Plus, Australia's largest matched savings and financial education program, which found that participants continued to save beyond completing the program, were better equipped to deal with unexpected expenses and were more confident in dealing with banks.
About the program
Saver Plus assists families on lower incomes to develop a savings habit, build assets and improve financial capability. Participants set a savings goal and receive support and education to help them achieve it. When they reach their goal, ANZ matches their savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500.
Click here to enquire about our Saver Plus program today!
Matched savings are then spent on costs relating to participants’ vocational training or their children’s schooling, as education can broaden life chances.
Set up in 2003 to encourage saving for educational expenses, Saver Plus is now offered by a range of community agencies in almost 60 communities across all states and territories in Australia.
Saver Plus is an initiative of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ, delivered in partnership with Berry Street, The Benevolent Society and The Smith Family and other local community agencies. The program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, with ANZ providing matched savings for participants.
The program has been acknowledged as one the most internationally successful matched savings schemes and won Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Community Partnerships 2006 and 2007 and Best Socially Responsible Product in Money Magazine’s Best of the Best 2008 awards.
View Saver Plus research
Who can participate?
Saver Plus is available from 61 locations across Australia (find out where you can join Saver Plus).
You may be eligible to join Saver Plus if you:
- have a Centrelink Health Care Card OR Pensioner Concession Card
- are at least 18 years old
- have some regular income from work (you or your partner)
- are a parent or guardian of a child at school OR are attending or returning to vocational education yourself.
Features
Saver Plus offers:
- up to $500 in matched savings
- fun, informal financial education workshops where participants share money ideas and tips and hear about strategies for planning, budgeting and saving for the future
- assistance and support from a Saver Plus worker in establishing a savings goal and developing a savings habit.
Testimonials
“Saver Plus has been such a help. I had been trying to save for a laptop for my son for a year and every time I got my savings up, along came a bill or my car would have problems! I learnt to put instalments on my bills so when they came in I was in credit or had minimal to pay.
So thank you Saver Plus and ANZ, my son has finally got a laptop and is not getting a hard time from the other children at school. He seemed to be the only one that didn’t have one.”
Casey Cardinia Saver Plus participant
“Saver Plus was the best savings ‘technique’ that allowed me to succeed. It is simple, consistent and works. In fact, even after the required ten months of savings, I committed myself to continue saving for my son’s university education.
I learnt discipline about money – the program really made me focus on the important issues about my family and apply the discipline that I learnt to other areas of family life as a mother and a wife. But most of all, Saver Plus boosted my confidence and my self esteem.
My Saver Plus worker was so well equipped with knowledge! She was very kind and accommodating. Thank you so much, Saver Plus!”
Frankston Saver Plus participant
Partners
We acknowledge the following partners for their valuable contributions to Saver Plus:
Anglicare NT
Anglicare SA
Anglicare WA
ANZ
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Benevolent Society
Berry Street
Bethany Community Support
BGT
Jewish Care Victoria
Haven; Home, Safe
The Smith Family
Help us improve
We welcome feedback. Please use the online feedback form.
Contact us
Phone: 1300 610 355
SMS: your name and postcode to 1300 610 355
Email: saverplus@nullbsl.org.au
Website: www.anz.com/saver-plus/
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Saver Plus
Mezzanine Level
145 Smith Street
Fitzroy Vic. 3065
Phone: (03) 9445 2400
Email: saverplus@nullbsl.org.au
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Saver Plus
24–26 High Street
Frankston Vic. 3199
Phone: (03) 8781 5900
Email: saverplus@nullbsl.org.au
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Saver Plus
Craigieburn Centre
120 Hothlyn Drive
Craigieburn Vic. 3064
Phone: (03) 8339 6517
Email: saverplus@nullbsl.org.au
Find out where you can join Saver Plus.