Creating a budget

Understanding your money

Knowing where your money goes can help you identify where you can spend less and save more. Find out how to track your spending on the Moneysmart website.

Creating a budget can help you manage your money better. You can learn how to do a budget on the Moneysmart website.

Managing money on a low or casual income

If you're on a low or casual income, check if you’re eligible for a government payment. Some ways to manage your money are:

• paying large bills in instalments
• asking for a payment extension
• visiting food banks for help with groceries. 

The Moneysmart website has information and tools to help you manage a low or casual income. These links will take you away from myGov.

Using the Financial Information Service

The Financial Information Service (FIS) provides free, independent and confidential education to help you make informed decisions about your financial needs. FIS Officers can explain how:

• financial products work and affect government payments
• changes to your circumstances may affect your payments in the short and long term
• to find resources to help you with your financial matters.

Find FIS information you can watch online on the Services Australia website.

FIS also holds free live webinars where FIS Officers present on a range of financial topics. Find out how to book into a free FIS live webinar or watch a recording on the Services Australia website. You don’t need to be receiving government payments or services to access FIS. It’s available to everyone.