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How $2 could change how young Australians invest

For less than the cost of a coffee, young Australians can start investing in their future.

By Nicole Webb

15 January 2026

people standind against a brick wall smiling at the camera.

Conventional wisdom suggests that investing is for people with significant extra cash in the bank. But starting early, even with small amounts, could potentially pay off.

Over time, investment earnings can grow even further – a process called compounding. The earlier you start, the more time that growth has the potential to build.

The time lottery: why starting early matters

The reason? Compound interest. When you’re young, you have the winning ticket to the time lottery.

“I know I have time on my side,” said Krish Waje, a 27-year-old small business owner. Krish is the founder of refillable candle business, Lunaire, and has been investing for the past six years.  

Krish says, “I started investing after learning about employee shares at a tech company in my early 20s. At the time I did a bit of research and I talked to family and friends who knew a bit more about investing. It piqued my interest and I started investing from there.

“Now I have a mix of international shares, domestic shares and exchange-traded funds. I’ve previously dabbled in buying and selling, but now I want to hold for the long term.

“I eventually want to grow this so that it can create an income for me,” Krish said.

While Krish is seizing investment opportunities now, many Australians, particularly young adults are held back by common misconceptions about investing. 

Image of CBA customer, Krish Waje CBA customer, Krish Waje

What’s stopping young investors?

CommBank research1 shows Gen Z new and novice investors cite these hurdles among their top barriers to investing:

  • Feel it’s too complicated and need to build confidence
  • Unsure of where to invest (which platform to use)  
  • Feel they don’t have enough money

For Krish, despite investing from an already young age, she said her primary barrier was not knowing much about investing.

“It can feel quite scary at the start because it’s a whole new world and people often think you need a lot of money to invest. But I don’t think that’s the case. You can start with whatever you have” she said.

Guided by customer research and market feedback, the bank is tackling these challenges head-on. The aim is to make investing simpler and more accessible for young Australians.

Education helps unlock confidence

CBA’s Executive General Manager, Wealth and Private, Susie Grehl, said, “The real need we see is for simplicity – let’s strip out the technical jargon and talk to people as you would explain something to a friend.”

In July 2024, the bank launched the Investing Hub online to its nine million customers who actively use the CommBank app.2

Since then, nearly three million customers have benefitted from free educational tools and content on topics such as ‘can you afford to invest’ and ‘how to create an investing strategy.’  

Image of CBA's Executive General Manager, Susie Grehl CBA's Executive General Manager, Susie Grehl

A simpler way to invest

To help younger customers on their investment journey, the bank developed Everyday Investing, a new investment offering the bank thinks will resonate with younger adults.

Everyday Investing is informed and shaped by what customers were telling the bank about what has been holding them back from investing.  

“We know there is a lot of choice out there which can be confusing. We want to make it easier and give customers access to a range of diversified funds which are professionally managed. You can manage it in the app you use every day for your regular banking,” Grehl said.

“Investments start from $2 – that’s less than a coffee. From here you are on your way as an investor,” she added.

CBA’s Everyday Investing became available in mid-2025. It gives customers access to four managed fund investment fund options with diversified market exposure.

Ms Grehl says an option like Everyday Investing can provide a solid base of diversified investments with the option to layer other investment options.

“Once you’ve built a solid, diversified foundation, you could consider adding other options such as sustainable investments, technology-focused funds, or dividend-paying assets - to suit your preferences and goals” Ms Grehl said.

Tips to get started with investing?

Krish’s tips on investing are “Just start and be consistent. Because of compound interest, if you keep adding to it and don’t touch it, your future self will really thank you.”

Image of Everyday Investing in the CommBank App Everyday Investing in the CommBank App

Photos for media

1. Image of CBA customer, Krish Waje

2. Image of CBA's Executive General Manager, Susie Grehl

3. Image of Everyday Investing in the CommBank App

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Things you should know

Customer insights and comments on investing are customer’s own. Krish does not currently invest in Everyday Investing

1 The survey canvassed responses from 2,000 Australians from 1 – 8 December 2024, who identified as novice investors. We identified novice investors as having investing experience of approx. 1 year or under (in personal investments).

2 As at CBA’s FY25 results, investor presentation 

Media releases are prepared without considering an individual reader’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Readers should consider the appropriateness to their circumstances. Visit Important Information to access Product Disclosure Statements or Terms and Conditions which are currently available electronically for products of the Commonwealth Bank Group, along with the relevant Financial Services Guide. Target Market Determinations are available here. Loan applications are subject to credit approval. Interest rates are correct at the time they are published and are subject to change. Fees and charges may apply.

Colonial First State Investments Limited (CFS) ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468 is the responsible entity of the managed funds and issuer of the financial products offered under Everyday Investing. The Everyday Investing suite of financial products are distributed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (CommBank). Where we mention ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’, we mean CommBank. Commonwealth Private Limited (CPL) ABN 30 125 238 039, AFSL 314018, a wholly-owned non-guaranteed subsidiary of CommBank has been appointed as the Investment Manager by CFS for the managed funds. The CFS Group consists of Superannuation and Investments HoldCo Pty Limited ABN 64 644 660 882 (HoldCo) and its subsidiaries, which includes CFS. CommBank holds an interest in the CFS Group through its significant minority interest in HoldCo. 

This information may include general advice but does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances, and so you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your circumstances before acting on it.

The Target Market Determination (TMD) for the financial products can be found on Everyday Investing Important Documents and includes a description of who the product is appropriate for and any conditions on how the product can be distributed to customers. You should read the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guides (FSGs) carefully before making a decision about acquiring or continuing to hold these products and consider talking to a financial adviser before making an investment decision. You can get the T&Cs, PDS and FSGs on Everyday Investing Important Documents or by calling 13 22 21. 

Neither CommBank, CFS Group, nor any of their respective subsidiaries guarantee the performance of the financial products or the repayment of capital. An investment in any of the financial products is subject to risk, loss of income and capital invested. Everyday Investing is not an investment in, deposit with or other liability of CommBank or its subsidiaries. This information is based on current requirements and laws as at the date of publication.