People who use financial advisers are happy with the service, but only 15% of Australian consumers seek such professional help, according to a new survey.

Household income is a factor in the take-up of advice, the study by global fund manager BlackRock shows.

About 25% of “affluent” households, with income of more than $160,000 a year, use a financial adviser. In “less-affluent” households only 15% do so.

About 19% of men seek advice, compared with 11% of women. About 24% of people aged 55-64 seek financial advice, while only 17% aged 45-54 do so.

Of those who seek advice, 89% think they get value for money and 93% are happy with the help they receive.

BlackRock MD Mark Oliver says the survey shows financial advice is still the preserve of a small minority, but satisfaction is higher than in other markets.

“In Australia 89% of consumers said professional financial advice was good value for money, compared with 84% globally.”

About 29% of less-affluent people rate healthcare costs as a significant concern when considering future financial security, compared with 24% of affluent households.

The economy is the major future concern (40%) for affluent people. Less-affluent households are more worried (32%) about spending more than they earn.

The investing and advice study questioned 17,600 people globally, including 1000 Australians.