A new federal Budget is in play and Australian women could be winners. 

From strengthening the Child Support Scheme to extending paid parental leave, support for wage increases in feminised industries and tax cuts, many of the measures will put more dollars in our pockets. Dollars that we could – quite literally – invest in our future. 

According to the ASX, around 4.3 million Australian women hold investments outside their homes and superannuation. As we increasingly funnel our earnings into shares, ETFs, bonds and managed funds, women now make up 42 percent of all Australian investors – a record high.

But for those of us yet to enter the market, investing can seem like someone else’s game. Someone with more money and financial smarts. 

“That belief has been around for a long time – that investing is something reserved for people with significant wealth or expertise,” says Antonietta Sestito, an executive at  Australia’s premier alternative asset management firm, La Trobe Financial, the Presenting Partner of FW’s annual Federal Budget Dinner. 

“In reality, it’s often the opposite. Investing is one of the tools that helps you get there, not something you wait to do once you’ve arrived.”

Feel the fear and do it anyway

To women who are waiting to feel “ready”, Sestito has this gentle advice: “There’s rarely a perfect moment. Most of us start before we feel fully confident.”

Natasha Janssens, founder of money coaching platform Women with Cents, also says it’s normal to enter this space with some trepidation.

“For many women, they simply weren’t taught about investing as a component of managing their finances, and so there can be an association that ‘investing is not for me’ or ‘investing is only something rich people do’,” she says.

“There’s also an element of risk to every financial decision we take – particularly investing. It’s natural not to feel ready and avoid doing something new as a way of protecting yourself. So if you are a woman who is waiting until she feels ready, keep in mind that you are immensely capable. We are deeply analytical by nature and, as such, are perfectly suited to investing.”

Confidence isn’t key here. As Sestito says, “what matters more is getting started in a way that feels manageable and informed, even if it’s small. Starting early, even modestly, can make a meaningful difference over time.”

How to get started

The federal Budget features initiatives aimed at improving women’s economic standing. If this sees us with an extra $50 or $100 a month, what might be the best way to go about investing, straight off the bat? 

“Start small and choose simple, diversified options rather than trying to pick ‘winners’,” says Sestito, who also suggests using resources like ASIC’s MoneySmart tools and, if possible, seeking guidance from a licensed professional.

“Set up something automated so it becomes part of your routine – because making your money work for you through compounding interest is as old as investing itself, and it works. More than anything, it’s about building a habit. Even modest, regular contributions grow over time and, just as importantly, so does your confidence.”

Janssens agrees that, in this game, you don’t need to go all in up front.

“We are very fortunate to be living in the digital age that makes it so much easier to get started with investing, without having to start with a significant amount,” she says. 

“Opening up a micro-investing account can be a great way to dip your toes in the water and start to learn about shares, investment markets and managed funds. There are a few companies on the market offering this service, which enables you to invest small amounts at a time without incurring huge brokerage costs.”

The risk of playing it safe

Stashing money in a savings account can feel like the safest route to future wealth. But is it, really? 

“While investing comes with market risk, leaving money sitting in a low-interest bank account over long periods can carry its own risk as well – particularly when you consider inflation and the cost of living over time, your money in some markets can lose value, even sitting in a bank account,” says Sestito.

“Are your savings and pay rises keeping up with the rising cost of living?” asks Janssens. “Chances are the answer is no, so you are in fact losing money – you just may be losing less and at a slower pace than you would in an investment gone bad.”

In the share market, both Janssens and Sestito say the way to play it safe is to diversify your investments. 

“Put your money in lots of different places,” says Janssens. “Start by deciding how much money you need to keep in your savings to fund an emergency – I’d suggest writing down your perfect storm and attaching a dollar value to it – and then see how much you have that you can put towards other investments. Investing in different asset classes and at different points in time is the best way to minimise your risk.”

“It’s less about eliminating risk entirely, and more about managing it in a way that aligns with your comfort level,” adds Sestito. “Being able to sleep at night is a good test of your risk appetite.”

The one thing you need to know

In a space that can feel unfamiliar, what do these experts wish every woman understood? 

“That you don’t need to know everything to get started,” says Sestito. “The industry can feel complex but, at its core, investing is about putting your money to work over time. You can begin with a simple approach and build your knowledge as you go. Confidence tends to follow action – not the other way around.”

“The finance world can feel very much like learning a new language,” says Janssens. 

“There are indeed a lot of concepts and rules that you may not be aware of. But the good news is that these facts are much easier to learn than you think. And there’s an explosion of books and podcasts written in easy-to-understand language to help you get started.

“Despite what you may think, you don’t need to be a pro to get started – you just need to know enough. And as with all things, the more you practice, the easier it gets.”