NAB Chief Economist Sally Auld this morning joined the first episode of The Week Ahead with NAB, a new weekly segment on the Fear & Greed Q&A podcast that explores the economic events, data releases and market developments shaping the week ahead.
Young Aussies are getting paid by companies they’ve never worked for - NAB
30 September 2026
Personal finance
Key points
- $16 billion in dividends will be paid by Australian companies in the final week of September
- More than 70 per cent of these payments land in the final week of September
- Almost half of all new investors on nabtrade are now aged under 30.
The biggest dividend pay week of the year has arrived, with thousands of young Australians set to receive payments from companies they’ve never worked for.
NAB estimates more than $16 billion in dividends will be paid by Australian companies in the final week of September alone, with nearly two in three Gen Z investors expected to receive a dividend this month.
More than 70 per cent of Gen Z investors’ September dividend payments typically land in the final week of the month, putting young investors right in the middle of the biggest dividend payday of the year.
NAB Private Wealth Executive Adrian Hanley said the bumper week was putting a spotlight on the role investment income can play in building wealth.
“More than $16 billion in dividends is being paid by Australian companies in the final week of September alone. It’s a significant week for investors and really highlights the role investment income can play in building wealth over time,” Mr Hanley said.
“Getting your first dividend can be a bit of a lightbulb moment. It can be the first time an investor sees money land in their account from something other than their job.
“We’re seeing more young Australians start earlier and discover they do not need a large amount of money upfront. Many begin with small, regular investments and build from there.”
Interest in investment income is also growing, with searches for “dividend information” on nabtrade increasing 200 per cent since the May Budget.
“We’re seeing growing interest in income-producing investments as investors look at different ways to make their money work harder,” Mr Hanley said.
This comes as Gen Z becomes the fastest growing generation of investors on nabtrade. Account openings among the group have jumped 41 per cent over the past three years, while almost half of all new investors are now aged under 30.
For 26 year old investor Milla Bath, the journey began with lessons from her father, an accountant and long time investor, who taught her from an early age about saving and making her money work harder.
“Dad gave me the tools to build my financial literacy and understand different ways of investing,” Ms Bath said.
“I know not every young Australian has access to that kind of guidance, so I feel incredibly fortunate. He helped me get started but also gave me the confidence to learn and make my own decisions.”
Ms Bath began investing at around 16 and now makes small, ongoing contributions with a focus on building wealth over the long term.
“The biggest advantage young Australians have is time. You don’t need thousands of dollars to begin. You can start small, contribute regularly and build from there.”
Investor, Milla Bath
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