When life gets harder, the world gets smaller
What is the finite pool of worry, and could it explain why Australians’ personal circumstances shape the issues they care about most? You might assume Australians who are unhappy with…
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Collective success for tomorrow
Healthcare affordability is reshaping consumer behaviour
How is healthcare affordability in Australia changing when, where and how consumers seek medical care? Cost-of-living pressure is no longer confined to discretionary spending. For many Australians, it is now…
Continue readingFifth Quadrant Happiness Index slips as pressure moves beyond the wallet
Why is happiness declining in Australia in 2026 and what does the shift mean for businesses and brands? Australians’ overall happiness has softened in 2026, with pressure extending beyond financial…
Continue readingAustralians brace for another tough year
Why has Australian consumer confidence in 2026 fallen despite easing inflation? Australians are entering the new financial year with a sharply more negative view of the economy, cost of living…
Continue readingMost Australian AI has no safety net
How prepared is your organisation to use AI responsibly? Since 2021, Fifth Quadrant’s Responsible AI Index has been measuring how well Australian organisations are turning responsible AI from principle into…
Continue readingThe household energy squeeze: Are consumers being rewarded for powering the transition?
Are Australian households being fairly rewarded for helping power the energy transition? In our previous blog, “What 50% renewables means for Australia’s electricity system” we explored how Australia’s electricity system…
Continue readingFederal Budget 2026: For Boomers, the Budget still matters
Federal Budget 2026: How does it effect Boomers? Baby Boomers engaged with this year’s Federal Budget very differently from younger Australians. They were among the most attentive audiences overall, more likely…
Continue readingFederal Budget 2026: Property investors expected disruption, they got moderation.
Federal Budget 2026: How does it effect property investors? Investment property owners followed this year’s Federal Budget more closely than most Australians and, despite the political debate surrounding housing and…
Continue readingFederal Budget 2026: Doing it tough. Losing faith.
Federal Budget 2026: Aussies doing it tough. Australians under the greatest financial pressure responded to this year’s Federal Budget very differently from the rest of the country. Lower income households…
Continue readingFederal Budget 2026: Gen Z heard the promises they just don’t believe them
Federal Budget 2026: What Gen Z think? Gen Z Australians did not strongly reject this year’s Federal Budget. In many cases, they supported key measures within it. Around half backed…
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