Financial wellbeing tops 2026 priorities

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

13 January 2026

New research commissioned by MLC has confirmed financial wellbeing has rocketed to the top of Australians’ list of priorities, ahead of more “traditional” goals such as eating healthier and spending more time with family.

Around 55 per cent of Australian adults surveyed listed managing their finances as their top goal for the new year, with a more concentrated focus seen among women (56 per cent) compared to men (54 per cent).

The research also showed some generational differences, with 31-to-45-year-olds the most concerned at 62 per cent, followed by 18-to-30-year-olds (58 per cent) and 61-to-79-year-olds (46 per cent).

Eating healthier (12 per cent) and spending more time with family (eight per cent) were the next two highest priorities as a result of the survey.

“Australians are clearly feeling the pinch of rising living costs and economic uncertainty. It’s no surprise this MLC survey is showing that financial health is the number one resolution for 2026,” Jenneke Mills, MLC Finance Expert, said.

“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 on getting on top of your finances and managing debt as practical steps that can provide peace of mind in a volatile economy.”

The research also indicated that 70 per cent of the 1,006 Australians surveyed maintained or increased their level of discretionary spending in 2025, with this figure rising to 80 per cent when concentrated on 18-to-30-year-olds.