# Emergency fund calculator (Australia)

> Work out an emergency fund target from your essential monthly costs, see how many months your savings cover, and how long the rest could take to build.

URL: https://finsplore.io/resources/calculators/emergency-fund/

## Emergency fund calculator

Your essential monthly costs times the months you want covered. See how far your savings already go.

1. Enter your essential costs
2. Pick months of cover
3. See your target and timeline

An estimate from the figures you enter, for planning a cash buffer. It does not know your income, tax or entitlements, and it does not suggest where to keep the money.

### How this is calculated

**Target** = essential costs a month × months of cover. **Months covered** = saved ÷ essential costs a month. Essential means what you would still pay if your income stopped; eating out, subscriptions and travel are left out.

**Time to build** adds your monthly amount month by month until the balance meets the target. The target rises with essential costs (2.5% a year by default), and interest is left out unless you add an after-tax rate. A target two or more years away is also shown in today’s dollars.

Moneysmart suggests three months as a good target; less secure income, one income or dependants often lead people to choose more. It ignores tax, one-off costs and any entitlements, and assumes the money stays put. More in the [emergency fund guide](https://finsplore.io/resources/guides/how-big-should-an-emergency-fund-be/).

Default assumptions last checked 20 October 2026.

**General information only.** This calculator does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not financial, credit or tax advice. Finsplore does not hold an Australian financial services licence. Rules and figures change, so consider speaking with a licensed financial adviser or registered tax agent about your situation. [Read our Disclaimer](https://finsplore.io/legal/disclaimer/).

### Keep going

- [Read the emergency fund guide](https://finsplore.io/resources/guides/how-big-should-an-emergency-fund-be/)
- [FIRE number calculator](https://finsplore.io/resources/calculators/fire-number/)
- [Savings rate calculator](https://finsplore.io/resources/calculators/savings-rate/)

### See your real numbers, not estimates.

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