Australians putting finances first in 2026

Title: Australians putting finances first in 2026
Short description: As Aussies settle into 2026, many are turning their attention to their finances. Our latest survey reveals that more than half of those surveyed (55%) are making financial stability a top priority in 2026.
Topics: mlc:Topics/news-and-updates
Time to read/watch: 3 min
Effective date: 2026-01-30 00:00
Feature Image: /content/dam/mlc/insights/images/Articles/2026/australians-putting-finances-first-in-2026/money-on-a-clothsline.jpg
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Money matters have taken the number one spot over traditional new year resolutions like eating better, exercising more and spending extra time with loved ones.

Age also plays a role in how we’re thinking about our finances. Those aged 31–45 are leading the charge, with 62% saying financial concerns are front of mind. They’re closely followed by younger adults aged 18–30 (58%) those aged 46–60 (52%) and 61–79 (46%).

Getting practical with your finances in 2026

MLC’s Head of Technical Services, Jenneke Mills, isn’t surprised that financial health is the top priority for Australians this year.

“Australians are clearly feeling the pinch of rising living costs and economic uncertainty. This trend signals a fundamental shift in mindset. Financial wellbeing is increasingly seen as the foundation for overall health and happiness. Australians are realising that without financial security, other goals become harder to achieve. Australians are realising the importance of getting on top of their finances and managing debt as practical steps that can provide peace of mind in a volatile economy.”

Jenneke shares four simple tips to give your financial health a glow up in 2026.

Get financial clarity

Budgets are boring… wrong! When you see exactly where your money is going, you can make it work for the things that excite you. Get started with MLC's Money View tool to better understand your current financial situation. Plus, we’ve got plenty of tools and resources to help you.

Build an emergency fund

Because your car insurance seems to be due the same week the roof starts leaking, right? Having some money set aside can make days like that less stressful. Small, regular savings add up over time #CompoundInterest, giving you peace of mind when unplanned expenses pop up.

Review your loans and debts

If you have a home loan, ask your lender for a rate review - banks will often negotiate. If you’ve got multiple debts, for example a credit card, Afterpay, a personal loan and mortgage, think about whether there’s a benefit to consolidating your debt, or devise a plan to work out the most effective way to tackling repayments.

Give your super extra love

Consider making additional pre-tax contributions to your super to boost your balance (within current contribution caps¹), setting yourself up for a glorious retirement!

Find out more

As an existing MLC member, you have access to financial calculators and financial coaches.

Not a member? Become an MLC member today.

Note: Research commissioned by MLC and conducted by McCrindle. The findings are from an online survey of 1,006 Australians aged 18-79, representative of the Australian population by age, gender, and state/territory. Fieldwork was conducted in December 2025.

¹ https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/caps-limits-and-tax-on-super-contributions/concessional-contributions-cap

Retirement calculator

Crunch the numbers to see if your retirement is on track to achieve your goals.

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Important information and disclaimer

This article has been prepared by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Limited ABN 80 008 515 633 AFSL 236465 (NULIS) as trustee of the MLC Super Fund ABN 70 732 426 024 (Fund). NULIS is part of the Insignia Financial group of companies comprising Insignia Financial Ltd ABN 49 100 103 722 and its related bodies corporate (‘Insignia Financial Group’). This information may constitute general advice. The information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions based on this information. It is recommended that you consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before you make any decisions about your superannuation. You can obtain the latest copy of the PDS (or other disclosure documents) and TMD by calling us on 132 652 or by searching for the applicable product at mlc.com.au. You should not rely on this article to determine your personal tax obligations. Please consult a registered tax agent for this purpose. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue. The case study examples (if any) provided in this article have been included for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon for decision making. Subject to terms implied by law and which cannot be excluded, neither NULIS nor any member of the Insignia Financial Group accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in the information in this communication.

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