Australians are increasingly planning multiple intentional breaks during their careers.

Retirement, once understood as a single life event bookmarked at the end of a career, is being quietly replaced by a new rhythm: multi retirements.

The Rise of Multi Retirements is a special report from HSBC’s Quality of Life: Affluent Investor Snapshot – a global survey of more than 10,000 affluent adults in 12 markets. It shows that Australians are increasingly planning multiple intentional breaks during their careers to reflect, reset, and reinvent.

Australians leading the shift

The survey also found:

• Quality of life boost: 68% of Australians believe a mini retirement enhances their quality of life.
• Frequency: Of the 34% of Australians planning to take a mini retirement, almost half (47%) are planning to take 2–3 mini retirements in the future.
• Timing: The average Australian expects to take their first mini retirement at age 48, closely in line with the global average of 47.
• Duration: 34% of Australians who are planning a mini retirement are planning breaks lasting 6–12 months.
• Confidence gap: 67% of Australians feel confident in their financial planning for mini retirements, below the global average of 74%.

Globally, 87% of those who have already taken a mini retirement said it positively impacted their overall quality of life.

Key motivations for Australians

The top reasons Australians give for taking a mini retirement are:

1. Travel and explore new places without work constraints (38%)
2. Focus on individual wellbeing – physical, mental, and emotional (35%)
3. Spend quality time with family (32%)

A new life rhythm

According to the global study, almost half (49%) of those intending to take a mini retirement plan to take between 2-3 months, with a preferred duration of 6 to 12 months (32%), and the ideal age to take the first break being 47 years old. This trend can be seen across all generations, led by Gen Z and Millennials who aspire to take an average of three mini retirements in their lifetime. 

Jessica Power, Head of International Wealth & Premier Banking, HSBC Australia, said: “Australians across all age groups are re-thinking retirement. With people working longer and often changing careers, there is no longer a one size fits approach to retirement. Our research shows that people are embracing retirement breaks as an opportunity to reset, travel, and prioritise family and wellbeing. It’s a fundamental shift in how people think about work, money, and quality of life, meaning planning is key for those wanting to embrace this trend.”

About the survey

The Affluent Investor Snapshot 2025, a global Quality of Life special report by HSBC, delves into the investment portfolios, behaviours, and priorities of affluent individuals worldwide. Conducted in March 2025 through an online survey across 12 markets (Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mainland China, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America), the research captures insights from 10,797 affluent investors aged 21 to 69, each possessing investable assets ranging from USD 100k to USD 2M. Of those respondents, 736 were Australian.

HSBC launched the inaugural edition of the Quality of Life report in 2023 to explore the concept of a good Quality of Life across different generation of affluent individuals and investigate the relationship between physical and mental wellness, and financial fitness.

The study was conducted by Ipsos Asia Limited.

Read the report.

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HSBC releases its fourth Investor Insights Survey.

HSBC’s fourth Investor Insights Survey^[1] has shown that Australians are increasingly seeking investment information (2025: 92%, 2024: 85%) with financial advisers being the number one trusted source.

Donahue D’Souza, Head of Investments at HSBC Australia, said “The survey results indicate investors are turning towards ‘trusted’ sources of information, potentially as a way to assist them in taking a holistic view of their finances.”

Regarding social media, the most popular platform for investment information is YouTube (12%).

Financial goals: investing for the future

Saving for an emergency fund is the most common driver for investing over the next five years (40%), followed by paying for a holiday (25%) and buying a house (22%).

When it comes to buying luxury items, Gen Z are most likely out of all generations to invest money to afford these items (23%).

“The current economic climate may be one reason investors are considering saving for an emergency.

“However, it is interesting to note that Gen Z are the most likely out of all generations to invest in order to buy luxury items. Shorter term goals like buying a small luxury item may seem more achievable compared to saving for a house deposit right now,” said D’Souza.

Additional Statistics 

Average minimum amount thought to be needed to start investing:

• On average, Australian investors now think more is needed to start investing compared to last year.
• Younger Australians believe you need over $20,000 to start investing (Gen Z: $20,840 and Millennials $20,275)
• 2025: $18,002
• 2024: $13,251
• 2023: $15,245
• 2022: $14,762

Frequency of monitoring investments at least monthly:

• Australian investors are monitoring their investments more frequently than last year.
• Monitoring at least monthly
  • 2025: 76%
  • 2024: 67%
• Not monitoring at all
  • 2025: 2%
  • 2024: 10%

Frequency of making investments:

• Not investing regularly:
  • 2025: 17%
  • 2024: 26%

Main drivers for investing over next 5 years:

• Save for an emergency fund (40%)
• Pay for a holiday (25%)
• Buy a house (22%)
• To pass onto the next generation (21%)
• Pay for children’s expenses (19%)

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[1] Survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of HSBC between the 21st – 25th March 2025.

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Some scams can be hard to spot, and anyone could be targeted by a scammer.

As scammers look at new ways to trick consumers into stealing their hard-earned cash, HSBC is warning customers to be extra vigilant when undertaking investments.

According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, investment scams are still the leading type of scams, with around $135 million^[1] reported losses so far this year.

Matt Hannan, Head of Fraud Management at HSBC Australia, said that often criminals cold call or message with investment opportunities offering guaranteed or very high returns. Additionally, criminals are also known to set-up spoof websites, fake social media profiles and fake companies that have similar (or the same) names as genuine investment organisations.

“Scammers can produce convincing marketing materials and might refer to current news to make the opportunity seem realistic. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If in doubt, do your research. Use well-known and reputable sources before you take action and check that they’re verified,” Mr Hannan said.

Here are some things to look out for that may be signs of an investment scam:

Short term returns as an incentive for larger investments

Fraudsters have been known to run scams in which they often provide initial short term returns which are then used to convince victims to invest more. After sending larger payments consumers can suffer even greater losses.

Receiving a call from a “financial adviser”

You may receive a phone call from someone pretending to be a financial adviser who claims to have a time limited investment offer with high returns and low risk, that must be taken up immediately.

They may also tell you that they have inside information about a product or initial public offering (IPO) or discounts for early investors, which often turn out to be false information. 

Celebrity endorsements for an investment

Don’t fall for fake endorsements – criminals can sometimes impersonate famous people on social media or messaging apps to make their offer seem more real and appealing.

Cryptocurrency scams

The boom of cryptocurrencies in recent years has meant scammers are increasingly using the currency as part of fake investment opportunities. Scammers will ask you to sign up with a cryptocurrency provider with your identity documents to open a trading account or online wallet. Never let anyone set up a cryptocurrency wallet, upload ID documents or manage investments for you.

Always seek trusted and independent advice before undertaking significant investments.

Remember, some scams can be hard to spot, and anyone could be targeted by a scammer. If you think you’re the victim of a scam, your details are compromised or you’re worried about fraud, get in touch with your bank immediately.

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Notes:
[1] National Anti-Scam Centre: Scam statistics https://www.nasc.gov.au/scam-statistics

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Investors have forgotten the golden rules of investing, including diversification

As cost-of-living pressures continue, Australians’ investing habits are shifting as they are diversifying less and more frequently seeking the familiarity of their home market, according to HSBC’s third Investor Insights Survey^[1].

Investors are still eager to tinker with their portfolio but are becoming more comfortable sticking to their long-term plan; 65% of Australians report changing their investment approach in the last six months, down 11 percentage points from 2023.

The research also revealed differences between generational investing behaviours of Australians, with the younger cohort more active and experimenting with riskier products compared to older counterparts.

Return to the golden rules of investing

More than a quarter of Australians (26%) are only investing opportunistically or when they have money to invest, an increase of six percentage points on 2023 (20%). Last year, more Australians reported investing a few times a year (2023: 26%, 2024: 23%).

Commenting on the research, David Talbot, Senior Manager, Investments at HSBC Australia said the survey indicates investors have forgotten the golden rules of investing, including diversification.

“Australians are most likely investing less frequently given the amount of uncertainty we have seen in markets and the global economy this year and are perhaps trying to time the market for a quick win.

“Despite this, investors should remember the importance of having a diversified portfolio, both geographically and by sector, to weather market fluctuations,” he said. 

Generational divide

Younger Australians are investing in more volatile products, with Gen Z (39%) and Millennials (36%) investing in cryptocurrency / NFTs the most out of any financial product.

When looking at sectors, in the next six months younger Australians are considering investing more in technology (Gen Z 44%, Millennials 46%) compared to older Australians who prefer financials (Gen X 29%, Baby Boomers 37%).

On average, Younger Australians also putting more of their monthly net income towards investing (23.8% Gen Z, 21.2% Millennials) compared to older counterparts (9.4% Gen X, 7.6% Baby Boomers).

“The sandwich generation, those looking after both children and parents, are most likely to feel financially squeezed at this life stage. The material impacts of cost of living really shine through when it comes to investing, as Gen X are engaging less with their investments compared to Gen Z.

“Gen Z are quite financially active and willing to take on more risk when investing. Given this generation is facing challenges accessing the housing market, they are taking it upon themselves to build wealth through methods more accessible to them, and allocating more of their income to do so,” Talbot said.

Gen Z and Millennials are investing more frequently than their older counterparts, with more than half (Gen Z 54%, Millennials 55%) investing on a weekly or monthly basis, compared with just 22% of Gen X and 7% of Baby Boomers.

“Younger Australians should be cautious about volatile investment products and consider building a diversified portfolio for long term wealth generation,” he added. 

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Notes:
[1] Survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of HSBC between the 3^rd to 10^th September 2024

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• 90% of Australians say we are living through an era of rapid change; over a third of Australians (34%) say uncertainty keeps them from living a full life and 25% indicate they struggle with decision block
• Almost a third of Australians say a decision made solo will usually turn out to be poor, despite the majority (73%) caring about how their family and friends view their decisions
• Australians feel more confident navigating unexpected events in their health (63%), work (63%) and personal relationships (67%) over their finances (54%)
• HSBC developed decision-making model, The Decision-Making Guide, with Professor David Tuckett

Around the world, people are united in their struggle with decision block and often regret making decisions on their own according to HSBC’s global study, Seizing Uncertainty. Australians are feeling the impacts of uncertainty with three-quarters finding it harder to plan for the future than it used to be.

The global study of 17,555 individuals across 12 markets, including 1,200 people in Australia, has uncovered that people are struggling to navigate change and make decisions in their lives. 

Commenting on the research, Jessica Power, Head of Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC Australia said: “Our research found that compared to the rest of the world, Australians are less likely to consult our inner circles on important decisions, and are more likely to regret the decisions we make on our own.

“Against a backdrop of uncertainty, Australians are overlooking the value of mateship, a fundamental part of our society. This is despite Australians saying the support from family and friends in the past have helped make the most of opportunities.

“Drawing on the people around you for valuable, different perspectives, together with doing your research, being willing to fail and listening to your instincts helps to build more confidence in decision-making and feel better prepared for the future.”

To help more people navigate uncertainty and seize more of life’s opportunities, HSBC and Academic Advisor to Seizing Uncertainty, Professor David Tuckett, Director of the Centre for the Study of Decision-Making Uncertainty at UCL, have identified the anatomy of a ‘good’ decision and translated this into a practical Decision-making Guide. 

Professor David Tuckett said: “Across the world change and uncertainty are the norm, not the exception. In this context of radical uncertainty, individuals are facing heightened complexity and constant disruption.  

“Addressing this gap and empowering more people to be confident when making decisions will be a key factor in creating opportunities.” 

Read the report.

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James Cheo

HSBC Global Private Banking is advising high net worth and ultra high net worth clients to consider taking on more risk and put their cash to work as the investment environment has become more attractive.

HSBC Global Private Banking’s Q2 2024 investment outlook, A Fertile Ground for Investment Returns^[1], shows that with the debate in the US shifting away from recession risks towards a soft landing, and potentially no landing, we have zero cash in our tactical asset allocation and have been taking an overweight position in both global equities and bonds.

The outlook also shows that there are many opportunities to put cash to work, although we remain selective and continue to focus on quality stocks and bonds over cheap valuations. Our four investment priorities are:

• Extending bond duration ahead of policy easing: As we approach the first Fed rate cut, which we expect to happen in June, we recommend locking in attractive bond yields and extend duration.
• Broadening US equity exposure to benefit from soft landing: The US economy has been beating expectations for 15 months and continues to surprise on the upside, and we expect the US equity rally to broaden beyond technology stocks to companies in additional sectors.
• Hedging tail risks via alternatives, multi-asset and volatility strategies: Volatility is bound to remain in our complex world, so we recommend alternatives and multi-asset strategies to broaden the opportunity set while achieving appropriate diversification.
• Diversifying Asian equity exposure: In Asia, we continue to actively diversify as we await stimulus measures in China to translate into stronger growth, so we look towards India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan for better returns.

Willem Sels, Global Chief Investment Officer, Global Private Banking and Wealth, HSBC, said: “We think our investment priorities find the right balance between exploiting the opportunities while focusing on quality and limiting exposure to areas where risks are mispriced. Of course, risks remain in our complex world, but as we have seen, markets are happy to take some uncertainty in their stride as long as the earnings and rate fundamentals remain constructive.”

Cheuk Wan Fan, Chief Investment Officer, Asia, Global Private Banking and Wealth, HSBC, said: “Asia remains an important engine of global growth, and we capture structural growth opportunities through our themes focusing on the beneficiaries of the global supply chain reorientation, the rise of India and the ASEAN region, and future middle-class consumers.”

James Cheo, Chief Investment Officer, Southeast Asia and India, Global Private Banking and Wealth, HSBC, said: “We are bullish on India. We prefer India’s large cap quality companies that can deliver strong earnings growth. We favour Indian banks, consumer and IT companies. In ASEAN, Indonesia’s election implies a certain degree of policy continuity. We think Indonesia can outperform due to solid economic fundamentals backed by strong consumer and infrastructure spending.”

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Notes:
[1] https://www.privatebanking.hsbc.com/wih/investments-Insights/House-views/investment-outlook-q2-2024-a-fertile-ground-for-investment-returns/

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Natasha Coutinho has been appointed Country Head of Services for Global Trade and Receivables Finance; Jonathon Booth has been appointed Head of Structuring and Solutions; and Fred Chan has been appointed Senior Sales Manager. 

Ms Coutinho brings more than 25 years’ experience to HSBC, working most recently as Head of Trade Services and Operations at Westpac Group. Previously, she served in various GTRF Services roles at HSBC Australia between 2008 and 2010. Ms Coutinho will lead a national team of onshore transaction processing and services teams across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. 

Mr Booth is an experienced trade finance executive and joins HSBC after more than 10 years at Bank of America, where he most recently served as Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance, Australia and Japan. Mr Booth will lead HSBC’s structuring and solutions team overseeing complex transactions across domestic and international clients, helping them optimise their working capital requirements and build resilient supply chains in a sustainable way.

Mr Chan joins HSBC with a mandate to cover multinational and international subsidiary businesses from HSBC Australia’s Melbourne office. Prior to joining HSBC, Mr Chan served in a range of trade and working capital roles at Commonwealth Bank, NAB, and ANZ over a period of more than 15 years. 

Nadia Ladak, Country Head, Global Trade & Receivables Finance at HSBC Australia, said: “We are pleased to welcome Natasha, Jonathon and Fred to HSBC Australia, as we grow our local GTRF team to meet client demand. Each bring valuable industry experience to their roles.  

“As Australian companies increasingly explore new trade corridors and look to build resilient supply chains, there is a mounting need for specialist support and tailored financing products. We know the dynamics of cross-border trade can be very complex, but also full of opportunity when navigated proactively,” she said.

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Charis Martin-Ross

HSBC has announced the appointment of Charis Martin-Ross as Head of Corporate Sustainability for Australia.

Ms Martin-Ross brings more than 20 years’ experience to the role, working most recently as Senior Manager for Sustainability at Allianz Australia. Prior to this, Ms Martin-Ross held roles across a range financial services organisations including NAB and Macquarie Bank.

Antony Shaw, CEO of HSBC Australia, said: “We are pleased to welcome someone of Charis’ calibre to the team and believe her diverse experience will assist us in furthering our sustainability focus. As a bank, we are committed to ensure we are operating sustainably across all communities we operate in, while also working with clients to assist with their transition plans, Charis will be play a key role in delivering on this commitment.”

Ms Martin-Ross will be responsible for leading the implementation of HSBC’s climate strategy in Australia while also providing counsel for key sustainability, Reconciliation and climate-related matters.

HSBC continues to pursue a climate ambition to become net zero in its operations and supply chain by 2030, and align its financed emissions to the Paris Agreement goal of net zero by 2050. We have set interim 2030 targets for on-balance sheet financed emissions for eight sectors with more to come in 2023. HSBC continues to support clients in their transition pathways including facilitating $84.2bn of sustainable finance and investments in 2022 as part of a sustainable financing ambition of $1 trillion by 2030. Within Australia, HSBC was the sustainability coordinator on nine of the 26 transactions closed in 2022.

HSBC also continues to innovate its climate solutions. In 2022, Climate Asset Management, HSBC’s dedicated natural capital investment manager formed as a joint venture with climate change investment and advisory firm Pollination, achieved commitments of more than $650m across its two natural capital strategies. HSBC also officially launched Pentagreen, a joint venture with Temasek, to finance the development of sustainable infrastructure in South and south-east Asia.

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In line with international peers, the survey found 65% of Australian businesses are optimistic they can generate growth over the next 12 months as the local economy reopens after extended periods of lockdown. Almost half of Australian businesses (49%) expect to increase revenue by 10% or more over the next year and the vast majority (89%) rank the introduction of ‘new products and services’ as the main driver of their anticipated growth.

HSBC’s Navigator surveyed more than 7,300 business decision makers from firms across 14 global markets with average revenue of USD762.4 million.

Steve Hughes, Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC in Australia, said: “Australian businesses are incredibly resilient, as shown by their optimism for the year ahead. As our borders reopen, we anticipate that local companies will benefit as workforces and supply chains reconnect with international markets.”

Despite this optimism, Australian businesses remain wary that a resurgence in COVID-19 (43%), supply chain disruptions (26%) and decreased consumer demand / spending (25%) could stymie their expectations of a buoyant 2022.  An ongoing skills shortage and other HR issues, such as workplace morale, round out the top five threats that local firms are monitoring closely.

As part of contingency plans to protect against these threats, more than a third of local companies (37%) are investing in new technology and digital tools as a primary defence.

Many survey respondents also expressed a desire to increase international trade to mitigate supply chain concerns, with countries in Oceania (48%) and North America (43%) topping the list of potential new trade partners.

Supply chains are likely to be a growing focus of sustainability initiatives too as Australian firms adapt their business models to take ESG factors into account – not just in their own operations, but also in the operations of key partners. 

“The survey results support what we are hearing directly from clients – that sustainability is a key focus across the Australian market. It is clear that one key area being prioritised to help drive this change is the sustainability credentials of their supply chains,” Mr Hughes said.

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