Number of Aussie investors hits record high

A record 11.5 million Australian adults now hold investments outside their superannuation and primary home, according to the ASX.

The ASX Australian Investor Study 2026 , based on a survey of 4495 Australian adults, found investors accounted for 54% of the population, up from 10.2 million in 2023. Around 2.5 million Australians have entered the investor population since 2020.

ASX managing director and chief executive Anthony Attia said broader participation was helping households build wealth while providing capital to Australian businesses.

"When Australians invest, they are not only building their own financial futures, they are also helping provide the capital that enables businesses to innovate, grow and create jobs," Attia said.

Shares remain the most held investment, while ETF ownership has more than doubled since 2020 to an estimated 2.82 million Australians. Cryptocurrency participation also remains significant, with 2.79 million people holding or having traded digital assets in the past year.

The study found 950,000 non-investors intended to enter the market within 12 months, including a growing number if women and younger Australians. Women accounted for 62% of prospective new investors, while people aged 18 to 29 represented almost four in 10.

Demand for guidance is also increasing, with 37% of investors planning to seek financial advice over the next year, compared with 32% in 2023. Among younger investors, that proportion rose to 46%.

Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA) chief executive Maria Lykouras said knowledge and confidence remained barriers to participation, reinforcing the need for accessible professional advice and investor education.

"The study also highlights the growing role technology is playing in how Australians engage with investing. AI and other digital tools have the potential to improve financial literacy, support advisers and reduce the cost of delivering advice," Lykouras said.

"Technology should complement professional advice, not replace it. As innovation continues, policymakers must ensure that consumers can benefit from technological advances while still receiving appropriate protections and safeguards."

Separately, CFA Institute research found modest allocations to private assets could improve risk-adjusted performance in defined contribution retirement portfolios. Private equity and venture capital produced the highest risk-adjusted returns among the asset classes examined.

CFA Society Australia chief executive Lisa Carroll said allocations needed to account for fees, liquidity, governance and portfolio construction, with contribution levels and investment time horizons remaining central to retirement outcomes.