Invest Smarter.
Build Wealth in Australia.
From FIFO workers to first-time investors — practical, no-nonsense guidance on stocks, ETFs, REITs, super, crypto and long-term wealth building. No hype. No hot tips. Just strategy.
Get My Outback Investor Starter Strategy
A simple ETF allocation guide built for Australians — whether you're just starting out or a FIFO worker ready to put your income to work between rosters.
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Free Portfolio Rebalancer
Set your target allocations. Know exactly where to put new money — without selling anything and without triggering capital gains. This is the Outback Investor way: always buy, never sell (unless fundamentals change).
Common Platforms Australians Use
Brokers, ETF providers and tracking platforms commonly used by Australian investors. Compare fees, features, licensing and risks before opening any account. Affiliate links may apply.
Run the Numbers Before You Decide
All calculators are for general education only and do not constitute financial advice. Always speak with a licensed professional for personal guidance.
Compound Interest Calculator
Assumes annual compounding. Does not account for inflation, tax, or platform fees. The earlier you start, the more time works in your favour — this is the single most powerful wealth-building tool available to every Australian.
Mortgage & Extra Repayments Calculator
Even small extra repayments — like rounding up to the nearest $50 — can shave years off your mortgage and save tens of thousands in interest. For FIFO workers: consider directing part of your away roster earnings as lump-sum extra repayments. Results are estimates — contact your lender for exact figures. General information only, not financial advice.
Car Finance Calculator
Estimate your true cost of car finance — including establishment fees, monthly account fees, balloon payments, and the cost of paying out early.
Car loans are often the most expensive consumer debt after credit cards. A flashy car bought on finance can quietly destroy years of investing returns. Our principle: buy used, pay cash where possible, and avoid balloon payments — they keep you trapped in the financing cycle. If you must finance, knowing the true cost (interest + fees + early payout) is the first step. Always confirm fees and payout figures with your lender. General information only — not financial advice.
Offset Account vs Invest — Which Wins?
Should your spare cash go into your mortgage offset account or into ETFs and shares? This shows the after-tax breakeven.
Offset saving = interest avoided (a guaranteed after-tax return). Investment return shown pre-CGT. For owner-occupiers, mortgage interest is not tax-deductible, making the offset highly effective. Breakeven is where the lines cross. General information only — not financial advice.
Stocks & ETF CGT Calculator
Estimate Capital Gains Tax on ASX shares or ETFs. Includes brokerage and account maintenance costs.
Hold ≥ 1 year to qualify for the CGT discount. Marginal rate (including 2% Medicare Levy) applied to discounted gain. Excludes capital losses, offsets, and super contributions. At Outback Investor, we avoid selling unless a company loses its core values or fundamentals deteriorate significantly. General education only — not tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent.
Rent vs Buy — Full Property Decision
Fair comparison using a 30-year mortgage. The renter invests the deposit and buying costs upfront, plus any monthly surplus.
Stamp duty estimates are approximate — use your state Revenue Office calculator for exact figures. Excludes rates, maintenance, body corporate fees, strata, depreciation and tax benefits. Property also provides peace of mind, stability and forced saving — factors that don't appear in numbers.
Research & Government Resources
Curated tools every Australian investor should bookmark. Free, authoritative, and actually useful.
REITs & Property ETFs
REITs let you invest in property through the ASX — no stamp duty, no tenants, no maintenance calls at 11pm. Regular distributions, bought and sold like shares. Physical property also has an important place in a balanced portfolio for peace of mind and forced savings.
High Interest Savings & Term Deposits
Cash is a legitimate asset class — not just money sitting idle. A well-placed HISA or term deposit covers your emergency fund, short-term goals, and keeps dry powder ready for opportunities. Never leave it in a big-four transaction account earning next to nothing.
| Provider | Account | Base | Bonus | Total Rate | Monthly Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westpac | Life (18–34 yrs) | 0.10% | 5.40% | 5.50% | Grow your balance & make 20 debit card transactions on a linked Westpac Choice account each month |
| MOVE Bank | Growth Saver | 0.10% | 5.30% | 5.40% | Deposit a minimum of $200 & make no withdrawals within the calendar month |
| BOQ | Future Saver (14–35 yrs) | 0.05% | 5.30% | 5.35% | Deposit $1,000 & make 5 eligible purchases on a linked BOQ Everyday Account each month |
| Judo Bank | Personal Savings Account | 0.05% | 5.30% | 5.35% | Minimum deposit of $300 in the month |
| ING | Savings Maximiser | 0.01% | 5.24% | 5.25% | Deposit $1,000, grow your balance & make 5 card transactions on a linked ING account each month |
| Provider | Account | Base Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighters Mutual Bank | Starter Saver | 5.00% | 18–29 yrs & uni students. No conditions — rate is always on. |
| Health Professionals Bank | Starter Saver | 5.00% | 18–29 yrs & uni students. Restricted to health sector workers & students. |
| Police Bank | U30 Super Charge | 5.00% | Under 30s. Restricted to law enforcement & emergency service communities. |
| Teachers Mutual Bank | Starter Saver | 5.00% | 18–29 yrs & uni students. Education sector workers & students. |
| UniBank | Starter Saver | 5.00% | 18–29 yrs & uni students. University community members. |
| BOQ | Save | 4.85% | Open to all. Straightforward savings account — no conditions attached. |
| Easy Street Financial Services | Flex Saver | 4.80% | Open to all. No conditions, flexible access to funds. |
| Provider | Account | Rate | Term | Min. Deposit | Interest Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Southern Bank | Platinum Plus 55+ Term Deposit 55+ only | 5.60% | 5 years | $5,000+ | End of term |
| Great Southern Bank | Term Deposit | 5.50% | 5 years | $5,000+ | End of term |
| Judo Bank | Personal Term Deposit | 5.40% | 4–5 years | $1,000–$2M | Monthly |
| Bank First | Term Deposit | 5.40% | 12 months | $500+ | End of term |
| Community First Bank | Term Deposit Special | 5.40% | 12 months | $10,000–$1M | End of term |
| AMP Bank GO | Term Deposit | 5.40% | 12 months | $5,000–$10M | End of term |
| Australian Military Bank | Investment Plus | 5.40% | 12 months | $1,000–$250K | End of term |
| Great Southern Bank | Platinum Plus 55+ Term Deposit 55+ only | 5.35% | 12 months | $5,000+ | End of term |
| Great Southern Bank | Term Deposit | 5.25% | 12 months | $5,000+ | End of term |
| HSBC | Term Deposit | 3.40% | 2–5 years | $5,000+ | Quarterly |
⚠️ Rates are indicative only and change frequently. Always verify directly with the institution before opening an account or locking in a term deposit. Rates shown are for general comparison and educational purposes — not financial advice. Term deposit rates listed are for 12-month or longer terms only. The Australian Government Financial Claims Scheme (FCS) protects deposits up to $250,000 per authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI). This does not apply to non-bank lenders. Outback Investor may receive a referral fee from some providers — this does not influence editorial placement or ordering. Always compare independently via Canstar, RateCity or the institution directly.
Crypto & Digital Assets
A satellite allocation — not a core strategy. Bitcoin is the only digital asset we consider for long-term portfolios. Always secure significant holdings in a hardware wallet.
Stay Informed — Not Distracted
Quality news sources for Australian investors. Remember: our strategy is to ignore the noise and focus on fundamentals. Read to stay informed, not to react.
Learn, Listen, Watch
No hype, no hot tips — just practical financial education for everyday Australians. Blog posts, podcast episodes and video explainers coming soon.
Blog
In-depth articles on investing fundamentals, Australian tax, FIFO wealth strategies, and practical portfolio tips.
Read the Blog ↗Podcast
Conversations with everyday investors, financial advisers, and industry experts — real talk about money in Australia.
Listen Now ↗Videos
Visual explainers, tool walkthroughs, market commentary and calculator tutorials — all free on YouTube.
Watch on YouTube ↗Books That Build Real Financial Knowledge
21 hand-picked titles across 5 categories. Each entry includes my honest, original commentary so you can decide what's worth your time. Educational reading recommendations only — not recommendations to buy any financial product.
The Barefoot Investor
The clearest, most practical money guide ever written for Aussies — automate your accounts, slash bank fees, and start investing with confidence. Read this before anything else on the list.
Strong Money Australia
The Aussie blueprint for financial independence — low-cost ETFs, high savings rates, and local case studies that make FIRE feel achievable here, not just in the US.
30 Properties Before 30
Eddie's playbook for stacking high-yield properties without a six-figure income. Aggressive strategy — read alongside more conservative voices to balance the picture.
Retire Filthy Rich with Real Estate
A broader look at building lasting wealth through property — useful for thinking through cash flow, leverage, and long-term holds vs quick flips.
No Down Payment
Classic creative-financing strategies — useful for understanding how property deals can be structured beyond a traditional 20% deposit. Read with healthy scepticism.
Never Split the Difference
FBI hostage negotiator turned business teacher. Tactical empathy and 'no'-oriented questions you'll use in salary negotiations, property purchases, and almost every conversation.
Way of the Wolf
Belfort's straight-line selling system. Powerful persuasion frameworks — apply them ethically; the man's history is itself a cautionary tale worth heeding.
Trump: The Art of the Deal
Polarising author, but the negotiating principles around leverage, walk-away power, and framing are worth studying separate from the politics.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
The book that wakes most people up to the difference between assets and liabilities. Light on specifics but unmatched at shifting your money mindset for life.
The Intelligent Investor
Buffett's bible. Margin of safety, Mr Market, and the case for thinking like an owner not a trader. Dense but absolutely foundational for serious investors.
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
The qualitative companion to Graham's quantitative approach. Fisher's 15-point checklist for evaluating company quality is still gold decades later.
The Psychology of Money
The book I'd give to every adult. Short essays on why behaviour beats intelligence in long-term wealth — and why most investing failures are emotional, not analytical.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
The case for index investing made over and over with research and humour. If you're not yet convinced about ETFs, this will likely seal the deal.
Stocks for the Long Run (6th Ed.)
200+ years of stock market data showing equities outperform every other asset class over the long term. Powerful antidote to short-term panic.
Factfulness
The world is far better than you think. Rosling's lesson: most of our worst decisions come from misreading reality. A game-changer for staying calm during market panics.
The Millionaire Next Door
Real millionaires drive used cars and don't display their wealth. The research that exposed 'big hat, no cattle' culture and built the case for quiet, accumulating wealth.
Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life
Schwarzenegger's life rules — clear vision, never think small, work your ass off. Direct, motivating, and surprisingly grounded for a celebrity memoir.
The Richest Man in Babylon
The original 'pay yourself first' parable. A century old and still the easiest, most charming introduction to compound interest you'll ever read.
Atomic Habits
The system that makes investing — and everything else — automatic. Build the right habits and the wealth follows by default. Practical, actionable, and life-changing.
Principles: Life and Work
Dalio's operating manual from running the world's largest hedge fund. Dense and opinionated — extract the principles that work for you and ignore the rest.
Die With Zero
The provocative book that asks: what's the point of wealth you never spend? Reframes retirement planning around experiences, time, and 'memory dividends'.