Consumers in Australia and other developed countries are increasingly required to interact with providers of complex financial products and services, and to estimate, mitigate or absorb the risks that flow from their financial decisions. A range of debt-related problems in Australia have been...

While the majority of those who declare bankruptcy do so voluntarily, a significant proportion are forced into bankruptcy as a result of legal action. This paper interrogates data obtained from the Australian Financial Security Authority to explore the attributes of debtors who go bankrupt...

This paper examines recent trends in Australian personal bankruptcy by analysing a large data set obtained from the regulator, the Australian Financial Security Authority. It demonstrates a marked decline in Australian bankruptcy rates, since a peak in 2009, and a consistent rise in levels of...

The authors examine the behaviour and attitudes towards superannuation of 25-34 year old Australians. The results of the survey suggest they are generally uninterested in their superannuation accounts. They seldom read the information provided by their funds, rarely change their fund, and a...

Although young Australians are active consumers there is little evidence about their knowledge of consumer rights. The authors report the results of a survey of 207 Australian school students aged 16-17 aimed at ascertaining their knowledge of consumer rights. Focus group interviews were also...

This report presents the results of a study examining superannuation knowledge, behaviour and attitudes in 994 young adult superannuation fund members (25-34 years old) in Australia. Respondents completed a 75 question online survey instrument which included questions on demographics and...

While Australia's superannuation scheme is a fundamental part of supporting and sustaining Australia's increasingly aging and retiring population, young Australians demonstrate consistently poor knowledge of, and behaviour and attitudes towards, superannuation. This study is the first...

In this paper the authors report the results of a survey of financial literacy levels among Australian secondary school students. While key issues concerning financial literacy among adolescents are fairly well known, and governments see the urgency of addressing low levels of such literacy...

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has stewarded the Australian National Financial Literacy Strategy since 2011. Financial literacy is increasingly recognised as an essential part of consumer protection, complementing traditional consumer protection mechanisms such as...