Australian CFOs entered 2026 cautiously optimistic. Since then, rising uncertainty has reshaped confidence and sharpened the focus on resilience, as finance leaders recalibrate risk and investment in a more fragile environment.
Key insights from this edition include:
• Business confidence has softened, with CFOs shifting toward a more neutral outlook
• Confidence in the Australian economy has fallen to a record low
• Uncertainty is near historic highs, constraining risk appetite
• AI adoption is now widespread, but delivering value at scale remains a challenge.
Together, these findings highlight a CFO agenda focused on discipline and resilience today, alongside selective investment in longer‑term capability — particularly digital and AI.
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