National Financial Wellbeing Summit 2025

The Mint, Sydney I Thursday, 6 November

Building an integrated approach to financial wellbeing 

Australians are navigating many financial challenges, driven by rising costs of living, digital disruption, economic inequality, growing climate impacts, and global social and political uncertainty. In this complex and changing environment, addressing financial wellbeing as a national issue is critical and requires a more integrated approach across sectors, systems and people.  

The Financial Wellbeing Summit is a [one day] national event, bringing together leaders from government, community, business, education, research and technology. It is an opportunity to share expertise, insights and actionable ideas to help shape a shared national agenda for [better] financial wellbeing in Australia.   

Together we will explore:  

  • how to strengthen economic strategies and approaches to help support people at every life stage  

  • ways to expand access to financial tools, education, and trusted support  

  • what we can learn from current programs and innovative approaches delivering outcomes in communities, schools and other learning environments  

  • policy and systems level actions to reduce exclusion and increase economic security  

  • how financial wellbeing intersects with broader wellbeing domains including mental, physical, digital, community and environmental health  

With keynote speakers, expert panels, and lived experience advocates, the Summit will showcase practical solutions and potential pathways for creating an inclusive, coordinated and people centred approach to ensure a more financially secure future for all Australians.  


Financial Wellbeing Summit 2025: Keynote speakers and panellists

Alan Kirkland, ASIC Commissioner

Alan commenced as an ASIC Commissioner for a five-year term on 20 November 2023. 

He has more than 20 years experience in consumer protection, social services, law reform and justice in the public and not-for-profit sectors. 

Most recently, Alan was the CEO at CHOICE where he represented the interests of Australian consumers for more than 11 years. 

Read full bio here

Effie Zahos, 9News Money Editor

Effie is one of Australia’s leading personal finance commentators with more than two decades of experience helping Australians make the most of their money. She is a regular money expert on Channel 9s Today show and on radio stations across Australia.

Effie is the 9News Money Editor at the 9Network where she works across 9News, A Current Affair, Today, and Today Extra; and an independent director of InvestSMART.

Read full bio here

Caroline Stewart, CEO Ecstra Foundation

Caroline is a philanthropic leader with over 25 years of corporate, legal, financial services, governance and not-for-profit experience. 

Caroline is the inaugural CEO of Ecstra. Prior to joining she led the UBS Australia Foundation, a corporate private ancillary foundation. She has worked with multiple stakeholders across the community, financial services, corporate, government and charity sectors and was a banking and finance lawyer.

Read full bio here

Xavier O'Halloran, CEO, Super Consumers Australia

Xavier O'Halloran is the founding CEO of Super Consumers Australia. He is a consumer advocate whose role it is to keep industry and regulators focussed on the needs of consumers in financial services markets. He works with a team of consumer finance experts to better understand how people engage with these markets and how these markets can be designed to meet consumer expectations.

Read full bio here

Janet Liu, ANZ

Janet Liu is an accomplished sustainability professional with over 15 years’ experience in ESG matters. Janet is responsible for the strategy, governance, delivery and reporting of ANZ’s social sustainability programs. 

Janet is a trained partnership broker, a Director of Australia’s largest digital inclusion charity Good Things Australia, and the Chair of Business for Societal Impact Steering Committee.