New research from NGM Group reveals lasting lifestyle changes, shifting priorities and a stronger focus on financial control – with more Australians turning to regional areas for balance and opportunity.
- Survey reveals 74% of Australians have changed how they spend in the past 12 months.
- More than half (59%) of Australians who have adjusted their spending say it has improved their quality of life.
- Of those who have changed their spending, 51% say these changes have helped them feel more in control.
- 78% said they are confident to manage financially over the next 12 months.
- Over a quarter (27%) say regional living is now more appealing than it was a year ago, as more look to rebalance.
Australians are making changes to how they live and spend, with new research from NGM Group – the customer-owned bank behind Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent – revealing many of these shifts are here to stay.
The national YouGov survey, the first in NGM Group’s new What Matters Most research series, found that almost three quarters (74%) of Australians have changed their spending habits over the past year.
Among those who have made changes, 51% say they now feel more in control of their finances and 59% say it has improved their quality of life – indicating that for many Australians, changing habits is as much about gaining clarity and confidence as it is about affordability.
And for most, these changes aren’t temporary. Almost two-thirds (61%) of Australians who’ve altered their spending say those changes reflect a long-term lifestyle shift – suggesting a more considered and lasting approach to household decision-making. This sentiment is strongest in regional Australia, where 73% of households have made changes and 68% see them as permanent, compared with 57% that have made changes in metro areas.
That shift is also being reflected in where people choose to live, with regional Australia more appealing now, when compared to 12 months ago, for over a quarter of Aussies (27%).
For many, relocating to a regional area offers more space, flexibility, better bang for buck and community connection – without compromising on opportunity.
“Australians are adjusting in real, measurable ways,” said James Cudmore, Chief Customer & Digital Innovation Officer at NGM Group.
“Three in four households have changed their spending, and nearly four in ten say it’s helped them feel more in control. These are all examples that show Australians are making smart, lasting choices to reset how they live and spend.”
“This is happening right across the country, but it’s even more evident in the regions, where households are taking a longer-term view and proving that balance, affordability and opportunity can go hand-in-hand. It’s a sign of the resilience that regional communities are known for – and a big part of why the appeal of regional living keeps growing.”
Some of the most common changes include or tracking spending more closely (56%) and switching to lower-cost products (54%). Nearly half have reduced their memberships or subscriptions (47%), while 44% have thought twice about a major purchase.
The research revealed broader value shifts are also emerging. Over half of Aussies surveyed (56%) say they’ve become more intentional with their spending, while 50% are focusing more on practical, lower-cost living, and four-in-10 (42%) say financial security now matters more than material goals.
“The data suggests Australians are weighing up their choices more carefully – looking for ways to spend with purpose, protect their financial security and create more balance in their lives,” James said.
“It’s not always a simple trade-off, but we’re seeing more Australians make decisions that reflect what works for them. For some, that means shifting priorities to build more confidence day-to-day. For others, that means relocating to regional areas where the balance feels more achievable.”
Over a quarter (27%) of Australians say life in a regional area feels more appealing than it did 12 months ago, with sentiment strongest among Gen Z (35%), Millennials (35%), and families with children at home (34%). This reflects how the search for better value is reshaping lifestyle considerations, with more people open to regional living as a pathway to balance and sustainability.
More than half (59%) of Australians who have adjusted their spending say it’s improved their quality of life in some way. This trend is strongest among younger generations, with 39% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials reporting a definite improvement.
“The pressures people are facing aren’t new – Australians have been feeling the pinch for some time,” James said.
“But what stands out in this research is the way people are adapting. They’re making smart, values-based decisions to regain a sense of control and shape a lifestyle that works for them.
“That shift is absolutely playing out in how people think about where they want to live, too. As a major employer based in Newcastle, we’re seeing strong momentum towards the regions – driven by a mix of affordability, career opportunities, lifestyle balance and the chance to things differently.”
Over three quarters of Australians (78%) said they are confident in their ability to manage financially and make ends meet over the next 12 months, with three in ten (30%) saying they are very confident and almost one in two saying they are somewhat confident (48%).
NGM Group commissioned the What Matters Most series to better understand how Australians are responding to economic challenges – and how their priorities are evolving as a result.
The second report in the What Matters Most series will be released in early 2026.
About the research
Research commissioned by NGM Group and conducted by YouGov in July 2025 among a nationally representative sample of 1,012 Australian adults aged 18 and over. The data has been weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates. The questionnaire was developed by YouGov in consultation with NGM Group.
Generational cohorts are defined as:
Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980), Millennials (1981-1996) and Gen Z (1997-2009).