Invest
9 in 10 Aussies want their money put to good use
A majority of Australians now expect super funds, banks, financial advisers and other financial institutions to invest their money in a responsible and ethical manner, it has been revealed.
9 in 10 Aussies want their money put to good use
A majority of Australians now expect super funds, banks, financial advisers and other financial institutions to invest their money in a responsible and ethical manner, it has been revealed.

The research comes from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, which has penned From Values to Riches 2020: Charting consumer expectations and demand for responsible investing in Australia, and explained that the sentiment shift is, in part, “a response to a devastating summer of unprecedented fires and floods exacerbated by climate change”.
But it also suggested that it’s a “continuation of the long-term upward trend of investing in line with one’s values and recognition of the impressive performance of many responsible and ethical options”.
“There’s a renewed sense of urgency within consumers to act, and more opportunities for investors to have an impact than ever before,” the report stated.
According to the findings, 86 per cent of Australians expect their super or other investments to be invested responsibly and ethically.

Even more individuals – 87 per cent – expect the same of the money that they have placed in bank accounts.
And while responsible and ethical investment decisions may be seen as the “ideal”, Australians are also exhibiting more willingness to act – three-quarters of those surveyed said they would consider moving their banking, super or other investments to another provider if it was revealed their current provider was investing in companies engaged in activities not consistent with their values.
There’s a drive to improve transparency, with 85 per cent of Australians expecting their bank to disclose which companies their money is invested in.
A similar amount (86 per cent) expect the same from their super fund.
According to the report, four in five Australians want their financial providers to go one step further – they want super funds and banks to communicate the impacts, whether positive or negative, that their money is having on people and the planet.
In addition, around half of Australians equate responsible and ethical investment with better financial decision making at an individual level, indicating how they would be motivated to invest and save more money if they knew their savings or investments were making a positive difference in the world.
Recent weather has also had an impact – two in five Australians have thought about changing their financial providers in response to devastating weather conditions.
About the author

About the author


Investment insights
EU policy reforms and pharma investments highlight shifting industry priorities
In a significant move to bolster the pharmaceutical landscape across Europe, the European Parliament's rapporteur has unveiled draft reforms to the proposed EU Critical Medicines Act. These reforms ...Read more

Investment insights
State Street warns of potential rate cuts as unemployment rises
In a development that has captured the attention of financial analysts and policymakers alike, the latest Labour Force data released today reveals a significant shift in Australia's employment ...Read more

Investment insights
Gold’s new playbook: from safe haven to strategic reserve as prices hit records
Gold’s rally to record territory in 2025 is not a speculative sideshow—it is a structural signal. With central banks accelerating diversification away from US Treasuries, real yields easing, and ...Read more

Investment insights
Investors maintain positive sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainties
In a surprising show of resilience, investors maintained a positive outlook in September, according to the latest State Street Institutional Investor Indicators released by State Street MarketsRead more

Investment insights
Women in Finance Awards 2025: A leading indicator for talent, performance and regulatory readiness
A record 617 submissions and 236 finalists in this year’s Women in Finance Awards signal more than celebration—they’re a proxy measure of talent pipeline strength across Australia’s financial servicesRead more

Investment insights
Brokers turn complaints into gold by transforming compliance into strategy
Complaint volumes aren’t just rising — they’re getting harder, touching product suitability, vulnerable customers and data use. With brokers now originating the majority of Australian home loans, the ...Read more

Investment insights
Australia’s growth beat is real — but it’s running on the wrong engine
Australia’s June-quarter expansion surprised to the upside, powered by households and government even as public investment sagged. The composition matters: consumption rose faster than essentials, and ...Read more

Investment insights
Australia’s 5% deposit reboot: who wins, who pays, and what changes from 1 October
By pulling forward and widening the 5% Home Guarantee Scheme, Canberra has reset the entry point to home ownership — and the chessboard for banks, brokers, developers and insurers. The higher price ...Read more

Investment insights
EU policy reforms and pharma investments highlight shifting industry priorities
In a significant move to bolster the pharmaceutical landscape across Europe, the European Parliament's rapporteur has unveiled draft reforms to the proposed EU Critical Medicines Act. These reforms ...Read more

Investment insights
State Street warns of potential rate cuts as unemployment rises
In a development that has captured the attention of financial analysts and policymakers alike, the latest Labour Force data released today reveals a significant shift in Australia's employment ...Read more

Investment insights
Gold’s new playbook: from safe haven to strategic reserve as prices hit records
Gold’s rally to record territory in 2025 is not a speculative sideshow—it is a structural signal. With central banks accelerating diversification away from US Treasuries, real yields easing, and ...Read more

Investment insights
Investors maintain positive sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainties
In a surprising show of resilience, investors maintained a positive outlook in September, according to the latest State Street Institutional Investor Indicators released by State Street MarketsRead more

Investment insights
Women in Finance Awards 2025: A leading indicator for talent, performance and regulatory readiness
A record 617 submissions and 236 finalists in this year’s Women in Finance Awards signal more than celebration—they’re a proxy measure of talent pipeline strength across Australia’s financial servicesRead more

Investment insights
Brokers turn complaints into gold by transforming compliance into strategy
Complaint volumes aren’t just rising — they’re getting harder, touching product suitability, vulnerable customers and data use. With brokers now originating the majority of Australian home loans, the ...Read more

Investment insights
Australia’s growth beat is real — but it’s running on the wrong engine
Australia’s June-quarter expansion surprised to the upside, powered by households and government even as public investment sagged. The composition matters: consumption rose faster than essentials, and ...Read more

Investment insights
Australia’s 5% deposit reboot: who wins, who pays, and what changes from 1 October
By pulling forward and widening the 5% Home Guarantee Scheme, Canberra has reset the entry point to home ownership — and the chessboard for banks, brokers, developers and insurers. The higher price ...Read more