The FIZO Index · November 2026

What Australians search for about money

Name: The FIZO Index, November 2026
Creator: FIZO
Published: 2026-11-05
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Every month FIZO tracks what Australians type into Google about money: debt, budgeting, buying a home, mortgages, tax, super, investing, insurance, small business and finding a professional. This edition covers 200 searches across 13 topics, comparing October 2025 to September 2026 with the 12 months before.

The headline. Searches for the free National Debt Helpline rose 42%, while searches for “financial advisor” fell 25% and “mortgage broker” 23%. Australians are looking for free help, not paid help.

Read every change against -22%. That is how much the typical money search fell this year, as more people get answers without searching. A search that fell less than that held up. One that rose went against the tide.

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Biggest risers

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Interest rate rise	6,180	86,770	+1304%
5% deposit scheme	17,980	66,500	+270%
Negative gearing	170,600	462,000	+171%
Budgeting app	34,800	71,300	+105%
Gold price	2,803,000	5,613,000	+100%
Recession	126,000	216,300	+72%
Inflation	241,500	400,500	+66%
Capital gains tax	243,400	369,200	+52%

By topic

Debt and hardshipTypical search -9%. 2 of 19 rose.Everyday money and budgetingTypical search -29%. 3 of 19 rose.Buying a homeTypical search -20%. 5 of 19 rose.Mortgages and refinancingTypical search -33%. None of 19 rose.Interest rates and the economyTypical search -1%. 4 of 11 rose.TaxTypical search -9%. 5 of 19 rose.Super and retirementTypical search -22%. None of 16 rose.InvestingTypical search -24%. 2 of 14 rose.InsuranceTypical search -17%. None of 11 rose.Credit, loans and cardsTypical search -30%. 1 of 13 rose.Small businessTypical search -23%. None of 15 rose.Finding a professionalTypical search -30%. 1 of 16 rose.Scams and protectionTypical search -19%. 1 of 9 rose.

Debt and hardship

Typical search -9%. Total searches 1,092,110 last year, 993,100 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Small Business Debt Helpline	4,200	6,140	+46%
National Debt Helpline	38,500	54,600	+42%
No interest loan	33,500	36,400	+9%
Food bank	215,500	219,600	+2%
Debt help	8,570	8,620	+1%
Free financial counselling	6,810	6,790	0%
Emergency relief	11,580	11,120	-4%
Financial hardship	28,800	26,300	-9%
Hardship assistance	1,400	1,270	-9%
Payday loan	341,900	310,500	-9%
Debt collector	65,000	57,700	-11%
Centrelink advance payment	72,400	64,000	-12%
Financial counsellor	39,100	31,300	-20%
Debt consolidation	73,700	54,600	-26%
Debt consolidation loan	118,700	88,200	-26%
Debt agreement	5,240	3,510	-33%
How to get out of debt	4,370	2,900	-34%
Credit card debt	4,860	2,710	-44%
Energy bill relief	17,980	6,840	-62%

Everyday money and budgeting

Typical search -29%. Total searches 2,713,740 last year, 2,246,070 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Budgeting app	34,800	71,300	+105%
Emergency fund	8,470	10,890	+29%
Financial independence	6,870	8,670	+26%
Term deposit rates	344,300	308,900	-10%
Compound interest calculator	1,270,000	1,095,000	-14%
Cost of living relief	4,120	3,490	-15%
50/30/20 rule	19,600	15,600	-20%
Budget planner	69,700	54,400	-22%
High interest savings account	384,700	299,600	-22%
How to save money	36,000	25,500	-29%
Side hustle	81,900	56,200	-31%
Buy now pay later	120,900	84,000	-31%
How to make money	76,400	51,600	-32%
Cost of living	160,100	107,200	-33%
Best savings account	58,400	38,100	-35%
Best bank account	6,210	3,390	-45%
Money saving tips	15,900	6,460	-59%
Bank fees	8,100	3,040	-62%
Switch banks	7,270	2,730	-62%

Buying a home

Typical search -20%. Total searches 2,373,760 last year, 1,967,310 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
5% deposit scheme	17,980	66,500	+270%
Property prices	28,000	35,800	+28%
Help to buy scheme	115,400	147,100	+27%
Conveyancing fees	17,480	20,000	+14%
Shared equity scheme	11,660	12,900	+11%
House prices	77,700	84,200	+8%
First home super saver scheme	88,400	81,600	-8%
Stamp duty calculator	883,000	740,500	-16%
Building and pest inspection	112,700	91,800	-19%
First home buyer	140,600	112,200	-20%
Conveyancer	344,300	272,900	-21%
Rent vs buy	5,530	3,980	-28%
Buying a house	24,200	17,400	-28%
First home owners grant	104,700	67,300	-36%
Stamp duty exemption	25,200	16,200	-36%
First home buyer grant	259,000	159,200	-39%
House deposit	15,900	9,640	-39%
How much deposit do I need	10,310	4,610	-55%
First home guarantee	91,700	23,480	-74%

Mortgages and refinancing

Typical search -33%. Total searches 5,426,120 last year, 3,942,410 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Fixed rate home loan	75,300	71,300	-5%
Reverse mortgage	79,200	72,200	-9%
Offset account	81,000	66,100	-18%
Bridging loan	72,200	59,400	-18%
Mortgage calculator	1,331,000	1,042,500	-22%
Borrowing power calculator	532,600	414,800	-22%
Mortgage repayment calculator	2,094,000	1,555,000	-26%
Refinance calculator	28,800	21,200	-26%
Interest only loan	17,700	11,870	-33%
Home loan pre approval	47,600	32,100	-33%
How much can I borrow	204,000	128,000	-37%
Lenders mortgage insurance	91,800	56,200	-39%
Investment loan	30,000	18,200	-39%
Refinance home loan	132,900	78,500	-41%
Home loan	221,400	117,800	-47%
Home loan rates	192,000	101,600	-47%
Variable rate home loan	13,320	6,520	-51%
Mortgage broker near me	155,300	76,700	-51%
Best home loan	26,000	12,420	-52%

Interest rates and the economy

Typical search -1%. Total searches 2,872,990 last year, 2,616,060 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Interest rate rise	6,180	86,770	+1304%
Recession	126,000	216,300	+72%
Inflation	241,500	400,500	+66%
Unemployment rate	41,200	52,600	+28%
Cash rate	92,100	94,800	+3%
Interest rates	937,000	926,600	-1%
Inflation rate Australia	401,300	392,100	-2%
CPI	203,200	192,500	-5%
RBA meeting	365,700	220,400	-40%
House price crash	5,510	2,340	-58%
RBA rate cut	453,300	31,150	-93%

Tax

Typical search -9%. Total searches 5,218,200 last year, 5,022,290 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Negative gearing	170,600	462,000	+171%
Capital gains tax	243,400	369,200	+52%
Tax deductions	35,000	42,980	+23%
When will I get my tax refund	1,990	2,260	+14%
Income tax calculator	551,700	611,500	+11%
Tax brackets	471,200	499,600	+6%
Tax return	698,600	660,100	-6%
ATO payment plan	76,300	71,200	-7%
BAS	111,900	103,200	-8%
Cheap tax return	2,890	2,630	-9%
Work from home deductions	37,780	33,880	-10%
GST	192,000	173,300	-10%
Tax agent near me	96,600	80,400	-17%
Tax calculator	2,088,000	1,668,000	-20%
ATO debt	5,700	4,490	-21%
Tax agent	102,900	74,900	-27%
Tax refund	81,800	43,000	-47%
HECS debt	237,100	114,400	-52%
Stage 3 tax cuts	12,740	5,250	-59%

Super and retirement

Typical search -22%. Total searches 2,296,700 last year, 1,818,750 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
SMSF	111,900	120,200	+7%
Transition to retirement	49,900	44,100	-12%
Retirement calculator	85,500	72,100	-16%
Super contributions	52,800	43,700	-17%
Super calculator	543,600	447,600	-18%
Salary sacrifice	214,700	174,900	-19%
Age pension	157,600	128,000	-19%
Downsizer contribution	33,300	25,900	-22%
Superannuation	698,000	540,000	-23%
Annuity	67,400	50,600	-25%
Lost super	68,800	50,100	-27%
Retirement planning	47,500	34,000	-28%
Early release of super	59,100	35,700	-40%
Consolidate super	19,800	11,030	-44%
How much super do I need	20,800	10,320	-50%
Best super fund	66,000	30,500	-54%

Investing

Typical search -24%. Total searches 4,575,130 last year, 7,026,130 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Gold price	2,803,000	5,613,000	+100%
Gold investment	9,670	10,720	+11%
Shares	250,800	267,200	+7%
ETF	263,900	266,600	+1%
Index funds	111,100	92,200	-17%
Stock market	516,600	419,700	-19%
How to invest	25,300	20,000	-21%
Robo advisor	4,560	3,270	-28%
Investing for beginners	23,400	15,900	-32%
Dividend stocks	14,300	9,740	-32%
Managed funds	22,900	15,300	-33%
Best ETF Australia	43,400	28,500	-34%
Investment property	59,800	37,600	-37%
Crypto	426,400	226,400	-47%

Insurance

Typical search -17%. Total searches 6,229,800 last year, 5,458,400 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Health insurance	491,200	484,800	-1%
Car insurance	1,502,600	1,470,000	-2%
Private health insurance	446,200	427,900	-4%
TPD insurance	43,500	40,700	-6%
Travel insurance	1,920,000	1,710,000	-11%
Pet insurance	406,000	337,200	-17%
Income protection insurance	178,000	139,500	-22%
Compare health insurance	263,300	186,100	-29%
Home insurance	525,600	362,600	-31%
Landlord insurance	257,600	174,200	-32%
Contents insurance	195,800	125,400	-36%

Credit, loans and cards

Typical search -30%. Total searches 3,911,400 last year, 2,676,100 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Check credit score	55,000	60,600	+10%
Student loan	47,800	49,900	+4%
Credit report	41,800	42,400	+1%
Credit score	449,000	392,600	-13%
Personal loan calculator	250,800	190,100	-24%
Car loan	415,000	295,800	-29%
Personal loan	551,000	386,600	-30%
Credit card	1,095,400	676,400	-38%
Best credit card	88,900	55,500	-38%
Car loan calculator	646,500	394,000	-39%
Balance transfer credit card	162,800	80,000	-51%
Frequent flyer credit card	60,600	29,900	-51%
Low interest credit card	46,800	22,300	-52%

Small business

Typical search -23%. Total searches 1,835,920 last year, 1,507,700 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Payroll	235,200	231,100	-2%
Pty Ltd	66,200	59,200	-11%
Register ABN	684,500	596,000	-13%
Sole trader	64,400	55,900	-13%
Business name registration	269,100	222,100	-17%
Bookkeeper	104,700	81,800	-22%
Bookkeeping services	17,780	13,680	-23%
ATO small business	7,120	5,500	-23%
Small business grants	33,200	24,900	-25%
Small business loan	49,000	34,800	-29%
Cash flow	35,400	24,200	-32%
Company tax rate	48,600	32,800	-33%
Invoice finance	12,620	7,890	-37%
Business loan	179,700	106,600	-41%
Business accountant	28,400	11,230	-60%

Finding a professional

Typical search -30%. Total searches 1,778,870 last year, 1,293,360 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Insolvency practitioner	2,970	4,160	+40%
Quantity surveyor	64,200	54,300	-15%
Accountant near me	180,000	148,900	-17%
Estate planning	22,800	18,380	-19%
Mortgage broker	326,900	251,000	-23%
Conveyancer near me	81,300	62,600	-23%
Financial advisor	268,800	201,300	-25%
Bookkeeper near me	21,100	15,020	-29%
Accountant	319,500	224,500	-30%
Financial planner near me	37,100	25,500	-31%
Financial planner	108,400	71,300	-34%
Buyers agent	96,300	63,700	-34%
Financial advisor near me	72,500	45,600	-37%
Tax accountant	88,900	54,900	-38%
Will lawyer	43,900	27,100	-38%
Property valuer	44,200	25,100	-43%

Scams and protection

Typical search -19%. Total searches 492,280 last year, 446,010 this year.

Search	Last year	This year	Change
Phishing	99,600	113,900	+14%
AFCA complaint	74,400	79,500	+7%
Investment scam	3,820	3,670	-4%
Report a scam	30,800	26,300	-15%
Scam	73,700	59,400	-19%
Scam watch	173,900	141,300	-19%
Bank scam	2,460	1,510	-39%
Identity theft	26,900	16,400	-39%
Crypto scam	6,700	4,030	-40%

How the FIZO Index works

Each figure is the total of Google’s monthly search volume estimates for Australia. “This year” is October 2025 to September 2026. “Last year” is October 2024 to September 2025. Source: Google Ads Keyword Planner, pulled by FIZO through DataForSEO on 5 November 2026.

Google rounds its estimates, so read a change under about 10% as flat. Searches with fewer than 1,000 a year are left out because rounding swamps them. So are searches for a brand or website by name (such as myGov or the ATO), and duplicate spellings. Life insurance is left out of this edition because Google’s estimate for it jumped tenfold for three months in 2025 and then fell back, which points to a data fault rather than real interest.

The monthly lines show this year’s searches month by month. The FIZO Index is published every month. Journalists are welcome to use it with credit to FIZO and a link to this page. The full dataset is free to download below. Questions about the figures go to admin@fizo.com.au.

FIZO does not give financial advice. Search numbers show what people are looking for, not what they should do.

If money is tight right now

The National Debt Helpline is free and confidential: call 1800 007 007. Small business owners can call the Small Business Debt Helpline on 1800 413 828. When you need a professional, FIZO lists accountants, advisers, brokers and more, each checked against the official registers where one exists.

Download the FIZO Index

The full dataset as a CSV, free to use with credit to FIZO. Tick the first box too and each new edition will arrive by email.