Investing in the financial wellbeing of all Australians is essential for individuals, communities, and the broader economy. It directly influences everyday life including the overall mental, physical, and social health of Australians.

Multiple factors are straining Australians’ financial health, including the cost of living crisis, inflation concerns, the increasing complexity of financial products and debt loads, at a time when Australia is experiencing declining financial literacy across the population.

Ecstra Foundation has announced the appointment of James Kirby, one of Australia’s most accomplished financial journalists, to its board, effective as at 11 December 2024.

With a career spanning decades of expertise in business, economics, and investment journalism, Mr Kirby is currently the Wealth Editor at The Australian and host of the popular twice-weekly ‘Money Puzzle’ podcast. He is a former managing editor and co-founder of Business Spectator and Eureka Report and has previously worked at the Australian Financial Review and the South China Morning Post.

Ecstra's 2023 Impact report celebrates our partnerships, progress and outcomes to date, contributing to the financial capability and wellbeing of Australians across all life stages.

Over four years, Ecstra has worked with 134 partners across Australia, committing to 184 grants and $33 million in funding to support a range of financial education, consumer care and community initiatives. This includes measuring and sharing outcomes. 

Read the report here.

New research commissioned by Ecstra Foundation shows that many countries, including Australia, continue to grapple with how to improve financial literacy in the face of economic and social headwinds. The findings suggest that Australia could learn a lot from the approaches of other countries.

The report, International Approaches to Progressing Financial Capability, by Social Ventures Australia (SVA), looks at international trends in financial literacy and capability, and identifies key ideas and approaches that may be relevant to the Australian context.

Our Talk Money 2023 Impact Report shares key data on program reach, evaluation outcomes and participant feedback. The results all show Talk Money is making a positive impact, helping teach students money lessons for life.

 Thank you to our community of schools, teachers and team for helping Talk Money grow to be Australia's largest, face-to-face, school-based financial education program.  

The Women's Economic Security Project was launched to address the barriers to employment, financial participation, and economic security experienced by many women and their families in Australia. The project aims to empower women by providing them with the necessary support, skills and opportunities to help them take control of their financial futures. 

As part of this year’s Global Money Week, the Ecstra Foundation has called for an overhaul of the existing education and support systems to help close the persistent gaps in financial education and literacy affecting many Australians.

Ecstra Foundation Ltd (Ecstra) has appointed Ms Delia Rickard to its board, effective as at 18 April 2023.

Ms Rickard has over thirty years’ experience working on behalf of consumers.  Most recently she was Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) from June 2012 until finishing with the Commission in January 2023.