The Great Australian Inheritance Gamble: Why You Shouldn’t Bet Your Future on a Windfall

There’s a quiet financial undercurrent running through many Australian households - one that isn't being talked about enough.

According to fresh research by Finder, over 8.8 million Australians - two in every five adults - are banking on an inheritance to improve their financial future. Some are even depending on it.

Yes, you read that right -at a time when the cost of living feels like it's spiralling and housing affordability continues to elude even middle-income earners, inheritance is fast becoming a financial lifeline.

But, in my mind, relying on a windfall that may (or may not) come is one of the riskiest wealth strategies out there.

Let’s look at what this really means for Australia’s property markets, personal finances, and intergenerational wealth.

The inheritance economy: what the numbers say

Finder’s latest survey of 1,017 Australians reveals a stark divide in expectations and realities:

• 41% say they’re set to receive an inheritance.

• 1 in 10 admit they’re dependent on that money to meet major goals - think buying a home, retiring, or eliminating debt.

• Another 19% expect it to significantly boost their position, even if they’re not relying on it entirely.

• But half the population (49%) say their family simply isn't in a position to leave anything behind.

Now, that last stat is particularly telling.

It’s a wake-up call that while wealth transfer will be a reality for some, it’s a mirage for many others.

The illusion of certainty

As someone who’s worked with hundreds and hundreds of investors, I can tell you—an inheritance is never guaranteed.

Assets get eaten up by aged care costs, poor financial decisions, falling property prices in regional areas, or simply distributed to other family members in unexpected ways.

There are estrangements, remarriages, forgotten debts, and complex wills.

I’ve seen families torn apart over inheritance disputes that destroy relationships and financial futures in equal measure.

Even if an inheritance does eventually come through, timing is rarely aligned with life’s financial milestones:

• Only 15% expect to inherit within 1–5 years.

• 23% think it's 6–10 years away.

• A third (36%) don’t know if, or when it’ll ever arrive.

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So, if you’re holding off on buying that first investment property or building your retirement strategy because you’re waiting on “Mum and Dad’s money”… you could be waiting too long.

Why this matters more than ever

Australia is in the midst of the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history.

Baby Boomers, having benefited from decades of economic and property growth, are sitting on vast amounts of capital, primarily locked in property and super.

But here’s the catch: while this wealth is real, it's not evenly distributed.

The top 20% of households will inherit the lion’s share, while a large portion of Australians will receive little or nothing.

What we’re seeing now is the emergence of a two-speed wealth economy, those who can independently build wealth and those who are waiting for someone else to die to get ahead.

Not exactly a great strategy, is it?

A better way forward: control what you can

As I often say, the best investment you can make is in your own financial education and proactive planning.

Don’t wait for a maybe. Create a “Plan A” that doesn’t depend on a Plan B that may never arrive.

Here’s how:

• Invest early, wisely, and often. Compound growth is more powerful than any potential inheritance.

• Treat inheritance as a bonus, not a strategy. If it comes, great. But build wealth as if it won’t.

• Use smart debt to your advantage. Strategically investing in the right properties, especially those in tightly held, investment-grade locations, can outperform any lump sum over time.

• Get professional advice. The tax implications and structuring of wealth transfers can be tricky. Get ahead of it, especially if you’re the one likely to pass on wealth down the line.

Final thoughts

Relying on an inheritance is like banking on a lotto win, only slower, less certain, and often entangled in family complexities.

If you’re serious about achieving financial independence or helping the next generation get ahead, the best thing you can do is take the reins yourself.

Control what you can. Invest with strategy.

And plan as though you’ll never get a cent, because for many, that’s exactly what will happen.