Australians test AI for money matters, but trust remains the deciding factor

20 JULY 2026

• Nearly 1 in 5 Australians (17 per cent) are using AI for financial decisions, rising to 28 per cent among 18-to-29-year-olds.
• More than 1 in 3 Australians (37 per cent) do not trust AI for financial information – with 59 per cent of this cohort citing a lack of trust in where the information comes from.
• Of those using AI for money matters, 1 in 4 (25 per cent) have acted on AI-generated financial information without checking other sources.
• Over half of Gen Z (57 per cent) would embrace AI-generated financial guidance if it was securely personalised.

From discovering investment options to understanding how much super they might need in retirement, Australians are increasingly turning to AI to help make sense of their finances.

New research from AustralianSuper reveals nearly 1 in 5 Australians (17 per cent) are using AI tools to inform financial decisions, with younger Australians leading the shift. More than 1 in 4 Australians aged 18 to 29 (28 per cent) use AI for financial guidance, compared with just 6 per cent of Australians aged 60 and over.

While AI is becoming a starting point for financial questions, Australians remain cautious about handing over responsibility for important decisions. The research shows only 1 in 4 Australians using AI for money matters act on the advice without checking other sources.

AI is most commonly being used to help Australians research and better understand financial topics. Among users, half use it to explore investment options, while more than 4 in 10 use it to compare financial products (45 per cent), better understand their super and retirement finances (44 per cent) and estimate their retirement needs (44 per cent).

The findings point to a shift in how Australians are starting financial conversations, with AI emerging as a new entry point for people to ask money related questions, understand complex topics and explore their options.

AI prompts caution not blind trust

While many Australians are taking a measured approach to AI-generated financial information, more than 1 in 3 Australians (37 per cent) say they don't trust AI for financial information, highlighting that confidence in the source remains critical.

Encouragingly, most users are taking steps to verify information before making decisions. More than half (54 per cent) actively cross-check AI-generated information against other sources, while almost one-third (32 per cent) consult a financial professional.

Despite being the most frequent users of AI for financial guidance, younger Australians (18-to-29-year-olds) are also among the most likely to verify information and seek additional sources before acting.

The findings suggest many Australians recognise both the potential benefits and limitations of AI when making important financial decisions.

Australians want safeguards before going further

Despite concerns around trust and accuracy, Australians remain open to AI playing a greater role in financial guidance if appropriate safeguards are in place.

More than half (57 per cent) of 18-to-29-year-olds say they would find AI-powered financial guidance appealing if it was securely personalised to their individual circumstances. Across all age groups, 1 in 3 people (34 per cent) share this view.

Respondents said they would be more comfortable with AI-powered financial guidance if it drew on trusted and credible information sources and was tailored to factors such as income, spending habits, life stage and long-term financial goals.

AustralianSuper’s Head of Guidance and Advice, Ross Ackland, said the findings show AI is playing a growing role in retirement planning, while reinforcing the importance of trusted sources of information and advice as Australians navigate an evolving technology landscape.

"Australians are increasingly using AI to navigate their finances, but trust is still a critical factor in how people act on the information they receive," Mr Ackland said.

"The research shows people are curious about AI and willing to experiment with it, particularly to understand complex topics and explore their options.

"Technology clearly has an important role to play in making guidance more accessible and as AI usage increases, we think trusted sources of guidance and advice will only become more important in helping Australians make informed financial decisions.

"When it comes to superannuation and retirement planning, AI can be a valuable way for Australians to educate themselves and explore different options. We encourage people to use credible, accountable sources and, before making any significant financial decisions, seek professional financial advice that's tailored to their individual circumstances.

“At AustralianSuper we’re committed to investing in and utilising technology that helps members access the information, guidance and advice they need to make informed decisions.”

For media enquiries, please contact:

Kylie Breckenridge, AustralianSuper
M: +61 402 746 226
E: media@australiansuper.com

Notes to editors:

Research commissioned by AustralianSuper and conducted by Quantum Market Research among 1,009 Australians via an online survey in April and May 2026. Data was weighted to be nationally representative by age, gender, and location. Results are subject to a maximum margin of error of ±3.1% at the 95% confidence level.