Pay up, cobber: 2 million Aussies are out of pocket from a mate
Millions of Aussies are waiting on a friend to pay them back, according to new research from Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,003 respondents revealed almost 1 in 10 Australians (9%) – equivalent to 2 million people – haven't been paid back money they lent to a friend.
Gen Z (11%) and millennials (11%) are more likely to be out of pocket by their friends than older generations such as gen X (6%) and baby boomers (5%).
Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said Australians are notorious for sponging off their friends.
"Money can test even the closest friendships.
"A lot of people lend money with good intentions, thinking it's a one-off. But when friends don't pay it back, it can feel like a breach of trust rather than just a financial issue."
Pike said it's important to be clear upfront when lending money.
"Setting expectations about repayments might seem awkward but it's the best thing to do.
"We often see people avoiding asking for their money back because they don't want to upset their friend. Not addressing it however can turn a $50 IOU into a much bigger problem.
Pike said if you find yourself frequently lending money that isn't returned, it might be time to rethink who you're financially supporting.
"Set boundaries with what you'll cover and what you won't for a mate.
"With living costs on the rise, don't feel the need to take the heat for someone else's bad budgeting."
Pike encouraged Aussies who are currently out of pocket to take some practical steps.
"Start by simply asking your friend to repay the debt. It can feel awkward to bring up money, but avoiding the conversation can lead to resentment, which is often more damaging in the long run.
"Next, stop covering for them in the future. You may need to reset boundaries with some people, and having a clear, honest conversation is usually the best place to start.
"If the amount owed is significant, and your friend isn't budging, a letter of demand can be the next step. This should clearly state how much is owed and set a reasonable deadline for repayment, with a note that legal action may follow if the debt isn't settled," Pike said.
Do any of your friends currently owe you money?
| Yes | 9% |
| No | 91% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,003 respondents, January 2026 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,003 respondents from January 2026.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Sources
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