Financial Worries Surge as Australians Face Economic Challenges

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Contrary to the escalating stress, merely 13% of those grappling with moderate to severe financial stress had consulted financial advisors. Alternatively, many lean on familial and friendly networks (31%), with digital outlets like Google (27%) and social media (15%) as secondary sources for guidance on financial matters.

Alarmingly, 35% of those experiencing significant financial distress, alongside 30% of their more secure or mildly stressed counterparts, reported no consultation of external resources for financial advice. This situation underlines a substantial opportunity for financial advisors to reach out and fill this advisory gap.

The report sheds light on income's influence on financial stress levels, with those earning between $15,000 and $49,999 bearing the highest stress percentages (32%). Nonetheless, a notable surge from 9% in 2020 to 24% in 2024 is evident among individuals with earnings in the $100,000 to $149,999 bracket.

Overall, the prevalence of moderate to severe financial distress has risen across income categories in the past four years, excluding a decrease observed in earners above the $150,000 threshold.

Exploring the ramifications of these financial strains, the report highlights that over half of Australians (54%) admit to infrequently reserving funds for retirement, and 41% of those under significant financial stress report a reshaping of their life ambitions due to growing economic pressures.

1. Short-term focus is eclipsing long-term financial strategies, with a third of Australians rarely planning for their financial futures.
2. Anticipation of a substantial elevation in living costs in the upcoming two years is held by 52% of the populace, amplifying financial concerns.

As noted in the financial revelatory study originally issued by AMP, Sean O'Malley, a leading executive at AMP Bank, urges Australians to harness the support of financial professionals to navigate and alleviate their financial turmoil.

Published:Thursday, 10th Oct 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

What the Latest RBA Rate Hold Means for Your Car Loan Plans

08 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian car buyers have received a little more certainty, with the Reserve Bank of Australia keeping the official cash rate steady at its latest board meeting. For households, sole traders and small business owners considering a vehicle purchase, the decision reduces one source of short-term uncertainty. It does not, however, mean car finance has suddenly become simple or uniformly cheaper. - read more

Car Loan Competition Is Still There, But So Are the Traps

01 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Late-August car loan market reporting suggests Australian borrowers are still seeing pockets of sharp competition, particularly for newer vehicles and applicants with strong credit profiles. That is encouraging for households and small business owners who delayed a purchase during the winter, but it should not be read as a blanket sign that all finance has become cheaper or easier to secure. - read more

Used EV Bargains Are Emerging, But Finance Still Needs Care

25 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s electric vehicle story is moving beyond new-car sales and into the used-car yard. Latest industry reporting points to a softer second-hand EV market, with prices under pressure as more near-new electric cars reach resale channels and manufacturers keep discounting selected new models. For buyers, that can look like an opening: a lower purchase price may bring an EV within reach without stretching to a brand-new model. - read more

What Australia’s Vehicle Efficiency Shift Means for Car Buyers

31 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has moved from policy debate into a practical market force for new-car buyers. The scheme is designed to push the national fleet towards lower-emission vehicles by setting targets for car makers across the vehicles they supply. It does not ban petrol or diesel models, but it does change the commercial pressure behind what arrives in showrooms, how it is priced and where incentives may appear. - read more

What Australia’s Record EV Sales Mean for Your Next Car Loan

24 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s new-car market has entered a very different phase, with June 2026 delivering the strongest monthly sales result on record and electric vehicles moving from niche consideration to mainstream choice. The latest figures show more than 140,000 new vehicles delivered across the month, with battery-electric models accounting for almost one in four sales. For car buyers, that is not just an automotive story. It is a finance story. - read more

What July's Car Loan Rate Snapshot Means for Australian Buyers

17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh July 2026 car loan comparison data points to a competitive market for well-qualified borrowers, with some secured car loan products advertising rates in the mid-five per cent range. For buyers looking at a new or near-new vehicle, that may sound encouraging after a period of higher household costs and tighter lending conditions. But the more useful takeaway is not simply that lower advertised rates exist. - read more

Record June Car Sales Signal a New Finance Landscape

10 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s new-car market has delivered another major signal to borrowers: the vehicle choices shaping car finance are changing quickly. In June 2026, combined new-vehicle deliveries reached 140,058, making it the strongest month recorded for the local market. The headline number matters, but the detail matters even more for buyers planning personal or business car loans. - read more

Click for more Finance News