The Financial Claims Scheme, (FCS), (also referred to as Australian Government Deposit Guarantee) is an Australian Government scheme that provides protection and quick access to deposits in banks, building societies and credit unions in the unlikely event that one of these financial institutions fails.
Under the FCS certain deposits are protected up to a limit of $250,000 for each account holder at any bank, building society, credit union or other authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) that is incorporated in Australia and authorised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
The FCS can only come into effect if it is activated by the Australian Government when an institution fails. Once activated, the FCS will be administered by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
Where can I get further information on the FCS?
Information on the FCS is available on the FCS website – www.fcs.gov.au
How is the Financial Claims Scheme activated?
The FCS can only be activated by the Australian Government, and this will only be done in the unlikely event that a bank, building society or credit union has failed and can no longer meet its financial obligations.
In an FCS scenario, APRA would aim to pay the majority of customers their protected deposits under the scheme within seven calendar days.
How is the FCS limit applied?
Under the FCS, deposits are protected up to $250,000 for each account holder at each licenced bank, building society or credit union incorporated in Australia.
Therefore, all deposits held by an account holder with a single banking institution must be added together towards the $250,000 FCS limit, and this includes accounts with any other banking businesses that the licenced banking institution may operate under a different trading name.
What types of accounts are covered under the FCS?
The FCS covers a wide range of deposit accounts held with banks, building societies or credit unions incorporated in Australia, but only applies to deposit accounts with funds in Australian dollars.
The following MOVE Bank accounts would be covered under the scheme
Savings accounts
Transaction accounts
Term deposits
Mortgage offset accounts
How are joint accounts treated under the FCS?
For joint accounts, where individual account holders can be identified, deposits are shared equally, between the various account holders. As such, each account holder’s equal share of any joint account will need to be added to any other eligible deposits they may hold under their name at the same banking institution. The FCS limit of $250,000 is then applied to the total amount of the deposit for each account holder at each banking institution.
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Important Information:
^Balance requirements for online savings accounts and transaction accounts (including Flexi Personal Credit accounts) are calculated using the minimum monthly balance.