Australian women are poised to inherit approximately 65% of the nation’s projected $5 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer by 2034. This shift marks a broader evolution in how wealth is owned and managed, shaped by longer life expectancies, changing divorce outcomes, and increased financial participation across every stage of life.
A shift in roles, a new financial reality
For many women, this shift is deeply personal. The transition into financial independence often follows a major life event: separation, the loss of a parent or partner, or stepping back into financial decision-making after time away from the workforce. These moments come with emotion, urgency, and a need for stability. In times like these, financial uncertainty can quickly compound.
This is where support can make a meaningful difference. With expert guidance, the burden of managing finances doesn’t have to sit on one person’s shoulders. Confidence grows with a plan, a structure, and someone to help carry the complexity.
The weight of decision fatigue
Periods of transition often arrive with complex decisions. These decisions are layered with emotional, relational and financial pressure.
UBS’s Own Your Worth report (2025) found that nearly one in three women who inherited wealth from parents had not discussed the transfer beforehand, and four in ten received assets without an estate plan in place. In the absence of clear guidance, decision fatigue sets in. Some delay action. Others fall back on default strategies or structures, such as joint accounts and outdated super settings, that may no longer serve them.
Without a clear framework, financial planning becomes another burden.
As UBS observes, “Despite rising earning power, many women still defer long-term financial decisions to a partner.” This reflects deeper social norms that have historically left women out of key financial conversations.
Women need the tools, support, and confidence to make informed financial decisions at every stage, regardless of whether they’re in a relationship, managing a household, or navigating a major life change.
Building confidence through clarity
According to research from NAB, a third of Australian women under 30 rate their financial literacy as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’, highlighting a broader issue: many women don’t feel equipped to make financial decisions with certainty. But confidence doesn’t require mastery of every technical detail.
Financial clarity means knowing
- What you own – clear visibility over assets, debts, and how they’re structured (personal, joint, or within entities like trusts or companies)
- Where your income comes from – including salaries, business income, dividends, rent, and distributions
- Where you’re heading – with a working plan that balances today’s needs with long-term priorities such as retirement or lifestyle choices
Strategies that support financial clarity
- Review ownership structures – understanding the legal and tax implications of assets held jointly, individually, or through entities
- Conduct a superannuation check-up – assessing fund performance, fees, insurance cover, and whether contribution caps are being used strategically
- Refresh investment strategy – shifting from default savings to deliberate investing that matches your goals, timeframe, and risk appetite
What clarity makes possible
- Making investment decisions with confidence, rather than hesitation
- Weighing up housing options with a full view of financial implications—whether to retain, refinance, or sell
- Using wealth to enhance quality of life, such as taking a career break, funding study, or supporting family, without undermining financial security
Confidence grows through understanding. With structure in place and advice on hand, decision-making becomes less reactive and stressful, and more purposeful.
Mistaking financial strategy for personal goals
Research shows that only 48% of women feel confident evaluating investment opportunities, compared to 72% of men. This confidence gap can lead to strategies that feel prudent, yet are disconnected from clearly defined goals.
It is not uncommon for individuals to approach financial planning with a predetermined tactic, such as purchasing an investment property or saving a fixed amount each month, without a clear understanding of the broader goals those strategies are meant to support.
This disconnect can take several forms
- Saving aggressively without knowing how much is needed, potentially creating unnecessary financial pressure
- Acquiring assets out of a desire for security, without fully assessing their long-term suitability or flexibility
- Following generic financial advice without testing its relevance to personal circumstances and values
Tailored financial planning clarifies the purpose behind decisions. It connects strategy to intent. That might mean prioritising super contributions to enable earlier retirement, investing in education to enable career transition, or choosing to spend or gift now, knowing the long-term plan still holds.
Personal goals should shape the financial plan, not the opposite. The right advice makes that connection visible.
The role of collaborative advice
Despite a growing awareness of financial wellbeing, only 16% of Australian women have consulted a financial adviser compared to 22% of men. Concerns about cost remain a key barrier, with 55% of women citing expense as a deterrent, compared to 46% of men.
Research consistently shows that individuals who engage professional financial advice tend to build greater long-term wealth. While this is in part due to investment selection, it’s also due to the cumulative impact of strategic decision-making, behavioural guidance and tax-aware structuring. A skilled adviser helps ensure that wealth is aligned with personal goals and positioned to grow with purpose.
Yet the value of advice extends beyond investment returns
- It reduces decision fatigue by providing shared responsibility and a structured decision-making process
- It offers reassurance through expert insight and a clearly articulated plan
- It supports informed, confident action across both immediate needs and long-term priorities
At Capital Partners, collaboration is embedded in the way our advisers work. By forming strong relationships with clients and their professional networks, we ensure each decision supports the broader financial picture, not just the immediate concern.
Where confidence begins
Financial independence doesn’t mean doing it all alone. The right support can help you make decisions with clarity, direction and purpose.
If you’re navigating a period of transition or simply want to take a more intentional approach to managing your wealth, start with a conversation.
Schedule a call with one of our advisers to start shaping a financial plan that reflects your values and priorities.
