Best Personal Finance Books for Australians in 2026
Every year I’m asked for book recommendations that actually help Aussies make progress with their money.
Not theory for theory’s sake. Not the same recycled list of bestsellers.
Just the books that consistently shift thinking and help people take action.
This is my updated shortlist for 2026.
I’ve mixed in two types of books.
Practical books that give you things to do and build some structure. These tend to evolve over time as rules and markets change.
And conceptual books that shape how you see money and the role it plays in your life. These are more timeless.
Both matter. One helps you move forward, the other helps you understand why you’re moving in the first place.
The Art of Spending Money - Morgan Housel
Morgan Housel has a rare skill. He explains money in a way that sticks. The writing is simple, the examples are relatable, and the lessons sit with you long after the details fade.
Most people start their money life thinking they have an income problem.
The real issue for many isn’t how much money comes in. It’s being unclear on what they actually want their money to do.
If you treat money like a hammer everything becomes a nail. You earn more, save more, stress more, yet still feel like something’s missing.
This book flips the frame. It’s about using money as a tool to build a better life, not just a bigger bank account. The stories make the concepts memorable, and it’s just as useful for those growing wealth as it is for people who already have plenty but don’t feel any better for it.
Morgan is well known for his best selling book The Psychology of Money this book builds on this work to look at an widely misunderstood and underestimated area of personal finance.
The Barefoot Investor – Scott Pape
This one is basically required reading in Australia and for good reason.
It’s simple. It’s practical. It gets people moving, especially if they’ve never had any structure with money before.
It’s a great place to start if you want to get out of debt, set up a basic system, or need a clear plan to follow without getting bogged down in details.
But it’s not perfect for everyone.
It’s written for the average Aussie battler. If you’re a high income earner, have bigger ambitions, run a household with multiple incomes, or you’re already investing, some of the guidance is too broad and the recommendations feel dated.
Areas like super, insurance, and investing need more nuance than the book goes into.
A quick note for transparency. A decade ago I worked in an advice firm with a referral relationship with Scott. He’s helped a lot of people. But the advice landscape has changed since those early 2000s days, and his stance on advisers has shifted over the years. His background in stockbroking probably plays a role in that.
It’s still a great first step for someone who needs to build momentum. Just know that it won’t cover the more tailored strategies many high-income households eventually need.
Sort Your Money Out: and Get Invested – Glen James
I think of this as a modern, more flexible version of Barefoot.
It’s written by Glen James, an ex-financial adviser, and you can feel that throughout the book. There’s structure and clarity but without the lecturing tone you sometimes get in personal finance.
What I like most is how he talks about moving beyond trading time for money. That’s a conversation most finance books avoid, even though it’s one of the main ways people build real wealth, whether through career design, business ownership, or leveraging skills in smarter ways.
The book covers the basics well but also starts pulling you toward bigger thinking and more intentional choices. For professional couples or anyone earning a strong income and wanting to push further, it’s a great read.
Die With Zero - Bill Perkins
This one divides people.
It challenges some of the traditional ideas around saving, delaying gratification, and sitting on wealth without really using it.
It’s not a book for everyone, but it does force you to rethink how you want to use money across different stages of life.
For clients who feel stuck between wanting security and wanting to enjoy life today, this book opens a useful conversation.
Final Thoughts
Money is personal. And not every book will hit at the right time or in the right way for you.
Start with one that speaks to your current situation.
If you’ve never read a finance book before, The Art of Spending Money (or The Psychology of Money) is a great intro.
If you’re looking for deeper thinking I would go with Sort Out Your Money over Barefoot Investor but both options.
These aren’t the only good books out there, but they’re ones I keep coming back to with clients who want clarity, not complexity.