What stops young Australians investing
Before writing a single lesson, Akrue surveyed 70 young Australians and held 56 conversations with young people and their parents. This page documents the method, the findings, and the quotes, and it's free to cite.
Methodology
Research was conducted by Akrue Pty Ltd through 2025–26, in Newcastle NSW and online. Two strands: a structured survey of 70 Australians aged 16–28 on barriers to investing and money confidence, and 56 qualitative conversations: young Australians (apprentices, university students, first-jobbers) and their parents, including around 20 parent interviews. Quotes are published with consent and attributed by age and situation, never by name.
The headline finding
When asked what stops them investing, the leading answer from young Australians was not fear of losing money. It was not knowing where to start. The blocker is comprehension, not risk appetite.
| Finding | Strand | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The leading barrier to investing is not knowing where to start, ahead of fear of losing money | Survey, n=70 | Final |
| Parents consistently report they were never taught money management themselves and feel unable to teach it | Conversations, n=56 | Final |
| Full quantitative breakdown (barrier percentages, confidence measures, demographics) | Survey, n=70 | In preparation |
In their words
"I just spent it on dumb shit."— 17, apprentice
"I wasted $29,000 by the time I was 19. Nobody ever taught me what money was worth."— father of three
"What's an ETF and how do I buy one?"— 46, working full-time his whole life