More than one-third of Australia's philanthropic giving is now tracked through a new online and interactive platform, answering calls for the industry to be more transparent.

ANZ chairman David Gonski believes Australian philanthropists must give with more rigour as assets that have taken years to accumulate are too often spent on a whim.

The president at one of the largest US philanthropic institutions believes there is a misnomer that philanthropists must stick to a strict hierarchy when addressing global problems.

An inaugural report shining a light on Australia's most philanthropic corporations shows 39 companies collectively invested $867 million in community causes in the 2016/17 financial year, with the finance sector highlighted for its contribution.