Saving and Investing
Emergency Fund Calculator
Work out how big your Australian emergency fund should be and how many months of regular saving it will take to reach your financial safety-net target.
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Your results
Target fund$21,000.00
Current fund$4,000.00
Funding gap$17,000.00
Completion19.05%
Estimated months to target2 yr 3 mo
Estimated target date04/11/2028
Calculation breakdown
- Target fund
- $3,500 × 6 months = $21,000.00
- Funding gap
- $21,000.00 − $4,000.00 = $17,000.00
Assumptions
- Essential expenses stay constant over the savings period.
- Interest, if entered, compounds monthly on the growing balance.
- Your monthly contribution is made consistently every month.
- No withdrawals are made from the fund while it builds.
How this calculator works
Multiply your essential monthly expenses by the number of months of cover you want, then simulate your monthly contributions and optional interest to see when you will get there.
Frequently asked questions
How many months should I aim for?
Three to six months of essential expenses is a common guideline; casual or self-employed workers often target more.
What counts as essential expenses?
Rent or mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, transport, medical and minimum debt repayments.
Where should the money sit?
Somewhere accessible and low-risk, such as a high-interest savings account or an offset account.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.
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