Independent financial advisers and planners in Australia

Looking for help with your finances? If you want to receive impartial advice, you might want to consider choosing an independent financial adviser. This article features a list of independent financial advisers around Australia, as well as some factors you might like to consider before engaging one.

What does a financial adviser do?

A financial adviser, or financial planner, is someone who can help you set your financial goals and make a plan to help you achieve them.

Financial advisers can typically provide advice on areas such as investing, superannuation, retirement planning, estate planning, risk management and insurance.

Some financial advisers may also be licensed to offer tax advice. Advice can range from one-off advice on a single issue to ongoing advice.

What is an independent financial adviser?

Financial advisers can only legally describe themselves as being ‘independent’ if they do not receive any commissions (unless rebated in full to their clients), volume-based payments (i.e. payments based on how much business they send to a financial product issuer) or other gifts or benefits from a financial product issuer.

These requirements are set out in the Corporations Act. Due to these rules, a relatively small number of financial advisers in Australia are considered ‘independent’.

It’s worth noting that all financial advisers must have an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the body that regulates financial services.

Following the Royal Commission, financial advisers are also now required to meet some additional professional standards. This includes having an approved bachelor’s degree as a minimum, sitting an exam set by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) and complying with a Code of Ethics that requires them to, for example, act in the best interests of clients and avoid conflicts of interest.

Advisers can also choose to become members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA), if they meet certain criteria.

To be a Practising Member, PIFA says that advisers must meet the following three criteria. Specifically, they must:

Have no ownership links or affiliations with product manufacturers
Receive no commissions or incentive payments from product manufacturers
Receive no asset-based fees (fees based on the total value of assets in a client’s portfolio).

To be an Associate Member, PIFA says advisers must comply with the legal definition of independence, or be “actively transitioning their practice to become independent”.

In addition to fixed fees, ASIC’s Moneysmart notes that advisers may charge percentage-based fees, such as asset-based fees or fees based on the performance of your investments. However, independent financial advisers who are Practising Members of PIFA are not allowed to charge asset-based fees.

→ Read more: How much does it cost to see a financial adviser?

Potential benefits of using an independent financial adviser

One benefit of choosing an independent financial adviser could be the reassurance that the advice given should be impartial and not based on sales incentives.

There are also a number of potential benefits to using a financial adviser in general. For example, they could help you:

identify short-, medium- and long-term goals
create practical strategies to achieve these goals
feel more in control of your finances
develop an investment plan
protect your assets
plan for retirement.

A financial adviser may be particularly useful during big life events, such as if you are buying a home, starting a family, inheriting money or approaching retirement. When you reach your preservation age, for example, and decide to access your super, you may like to speak to an independent financial adviser to support you with planning for your future financially.

Potential disadvantages of using an independent financial adviser

One potential disadvantage of using an independent financial adviser is their relative scarcity.

At the time of writing, there are fewer than 70 independent financial advisers in Australia who are members of PIFA. This may mean you need to travel for a consultation or have over-the-phone or online consultations in some cases. It could also mean fewer advisers that you can compare.

More generally, seeing a financial adviser can be expensive. Not every situation will necessarily call for a financial adviser, so you might want to think about what kind of financial help you need before committing to an adviser.

For example, if you’re after financial information rather than advice, it might be useful to talk to your bank, super fund, insurer or other financial institution.

If you want advice on your superannuation, you could also consider getting advice through your super fund. You may be able to get simple advice at no additional cost; however, there is typically a fee for more comprehensive advice.

If you need help with debt or other money problems, you may be better-suited to seeing a financial counsellor. Financial counselling is a free, independent and confidential service. You can speak to a financial counsellor by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

List of independent financial advisers in Australia

Below is a list of independent financial advisers in Australia, sorted by state and territory. This list is based on PIFA Practising Members and Associate Members across Australia, according to the PIFA website at the time of writing.

Independent Financial Advisers in New South Wales

Ben Liddicoat BBK Financial Planning Sydney	Mr Liddicoat says he has over 16 years of experience providing advice on super, investing, tax, debt and budget management to his clients.
Bill Raffle Bennelong Private Wealth Sydney	Bennelong Private Wealth says it is a specialist tax structuring and financial planning practice.
Chris Rae Allied Wealth Sydney	Allied Wealth says its services include investment portfolio management, superannuation and retirement planning, structuring and tax-effective planning, cashflow management and personal insurance advice.
Daniel McGregor Wealth Train Orange	Wealth Train says it is a personal financial advice and wealth coaching business that is designed to get people ‘financially fit’.
Dave Harper Naked Wealth Sydney	Naked Wealth says it focuses on reducing your financial costs, and that it also provides advice on superannuation, life insurance, cash flow, investing, estate planning and retirement planning.
Debbie Lin Liquidity Financial Advisers Sydney	Liquidity Financial Advisers says its services include retirement planning, advice on moving into aged care and property advice.
Fergus Hardingham FM Financial Solutions Sydney	FM Financial Solutions says its services include providing advice on cash management, contingency planning, family wealth succession, strategy, portfolio construction and management, aged care advice and investment entities.
Howard Pitts Arc Financial Solutions Sydney	Mr Pitts says he has over 30 years of experience advising on superannuation, insurance and investment issues.
James Williamson Millhaven Financial Services Sydney	Millhaven says it offers holistic financial planning, including advice on insurance, asset management, retirement planning and SMSF advice and management.
Jo-Anne Nelson Arc Financial Solutions Neutral Bay	Ms Nelson says she has 20 years of experience in superannuation, life insurance and investment management.
Kyle Frost Millennial Independent Advice Sydney and Newcastle	Mr Frost says that he primarily provides financial advice around cash flow, investing, superannuation, debt, property, personal insurances, tax and estate planning.
Michael Morrison M Financial Planning Sydney and Wollongong	M Financial Planning says that it specialises in providing financial planning advice in the areas of: retirement planning, superannuation advice, estate planning, investing and wealth creation.
Michael Radalj Your Private Advisers Sydney	Your Private Advisers says it typically provides advice around investing, superannuation, retirement planning, ancillary tax advice and insurance.
Peter Surtenich Suetonius Wealth Management Sydney	Suetonius Wealth Management says its services include advice on superannuation and SMSFs, corporate advice, wealth creation and investments and retirement planning.
Phil Harvey Construct Wealth Bungendore	Construct Wealth says it offers a ‘Live Your Best Life’ program that will help you clarify your goals, develop a strategy to implement them and find appropriate super, investment and insurance products.
Richard Barber Liquidity Financial Advisers Shellharbour	Liquidity Financial Advisers says its services include retirement planning, advice on moving into aged care and property advice.
Ron Geffin Core Private Wealth Sydney	Core Private Wealth says it offers holistic wealth and financial planning, including wealth management, superannuation, insurance and bespoke services.
Stephanie O’Connor Custom Accounting Sydney and Cootamundra	Custom Accounting says its services include superannuation and retirement, insurance, retirement and succession planning. It also says it provides advice to farmers, businesses and family companies.
Trevor Geffin Core Private Wealth Sydney	Core Private Wealth says it offers holistic wealth and financial planning, including wealth management, superannuation, insurance and bespoke services.
Vince Lam Plutus Financial Guidance Sydney	Plutus Financial Guidance says its services include retirement, superannuation, aged care, estate planning, wealth protection, budgeting and saving, investment strategy and debt management advice.

Independent Financial Advisers in Victoria

Adriano Donato Roskow Independent Advisory Melbourne	Roskow Independent Advisory says it works with clients to provide strategy analysis, advice and implementation and an ongoing partnership.
Berivan Dubier Curve Accountants Moorabbin	Curve Accountants provides tax and accounting services and independent financial planning and advice. Curve says it is dedicated to supporting small businesses and those who work within the medical, dental, allied health and veterinary industries.
Chris Thoms Super-Focus Geelong	Mr Thoms says he specialises in SMSFs, superannuation, investment, direct shares, property investment and estate planning.
Corin Jacka Priority1 Wealth Management Group Melbourne	Priority1 says its services include investment planning, retirement and pre-retirement planning, estate planning, government benefit advice, mortgage and debt reduction and capital gains tax planning.
Daniel Twentyman Surf Coast Wealth Management Torquay	Mr Twentyman says his specialties include financial planning, budgeting, cash flow and debt management, superannuation, investment planning and wealth management, equities and portfolio advice, personal risk policies and wealth protection, retirement planning, small business advice, business insurance and salary packaging.
Dennis Maddern Maddern Financial Advisers Melbourne	Maddern Financial Advisers says most of its clients are small to medium business owners or successful career professionals, with a focus on the sporting, aviation and health industries.
James Stephan Stephan Independent Advisory Melbourne	Stephan Independent Advisory says it typically works with successful family business owners and self-funded retirees who want to preserve, protect and transfer their wealth.
Jason Smith Think Independent Melbourne	Think Independent says it can provide advice for people during various life stages, including young people, families and those who are pre- and post- retirement.
Joe Stephan Stephan Independent Advisory Melbourne	Stephan Independent Advisory says it typically works with successful family business owners and self-funded retirees to preserve, protect and transfer their wealth.
Mat Horvat Horvat Financial Advisors Melbourne	Horvat Financial Advisors says it works with individuals and families who are financially independent and want to maximise their wealth.
Matthew Ross Roskow Independent Advisory Melbourne	Roskow Independent Advisory says it works with clients to provide strategy analysis, advice and implementation and an ongoing partnership.
Nikki Hill Enrich Investing Melbourne	Enrich Investing says its core service is personal financial coaching for individuals and families with a focus on wealth generation, wealth preservation and transfer of wealth.
Rick Horvat Horvat Financial Advisors Melbourne	Horvat Financial Advisors says it works with individuals and families who are financially independent and want to maximise their wealth.
Sean Dwyer Curve Accountants Moorabbin	Curve Accountants provides tax and accounting services and independent financial planning and advice. Curve says it is dedicated to supporting small businesses and those who work within the medical, dental, allied health and veterinary industries.
Trent Alexander Financial Planning Expert Melbourne	Financial Planning Expert states it specialises in SMSF advice for retirees and pre-retirees.

Independent Financial Advisers in Queensland

Aaron Crosthwaite

Curve Accountants

Brisbane

Curve Accountants provides tax and accounting services and independent financial planning and advice. Curve says it is dedicated to supporting small businesses and those who work within the medical, dental, allied health and veterinary industries.

Neil Salkow

Roskow Independent Advisory

Brisbane

Roskow Independent Advisory says it works with clients to provide strategy analysis, advice and implementation and an ongoing partnership.

Samuel Turrisi

Roskow Independent Advisory

Brisbane

Roskow Independent Advisory says it works with clients to provide strategy analysis, advice and implementation and an ongoing partnership.

Independent Financial Advisers in Western Australia

Annette Sinclair Jarrah Bridge Financial Planning Perth	Jarrah Bridge says its services include advising on investment strategies, bank accounts, savings, impacts of the economy, estate plans, tax, property, insurance and Centrelink.
Ben Coombe Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.
Bradley Clarke CY Financial Advice Perth	CY Financial Advice says its typical clients are retirees or those close to retirement who are over the age of 50 and want to put a retirement plan in place.
Chris Pritchard Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.
Chris Young CY Financial Advice Perth	CY Financial Advice says its typical clients are retirees or those close to retirement who are over 50 with investment assets exceeding $1 million.
Cris Simpson Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.
David McGregor Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.
Emily-Jane van Kampen Independent Financial Advisers Australia Perth	Ms van Kampen says she can assist clients in the areas of tax-effective investment strategies, superannuation strategies, retirement planning, Centrelink entitlements, salary packaging, redundancy, estate planning and aged care advice.
James Robinson Jarrah Bridge Perth	Jarrah Bridge says its services include advising on investment strategies, bank accounts, savings, impacts of the economy, estate plans, tax, property, insurance and Centrelink.
Mick Steffan Independent Advisers WA Geraldton	Independent Advisers WA says it offers specialised independent financial advice for clients working largely in the farming, fishing and resources industries. It also serves small business clients and clients active in the resource and medical industries.
Nick Bruining Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.
Peter Humble Rise Wealth Group Bunbury	Rise Wealth Group says its services include retirement and estate planning and mortgage and debt management advice.
Peter Webster Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.
Stephanie Tang-Bowman Bruining Partners Perth	Bruining Partners says its expertise includes pre-retirees, retirees, public sector retirement advice, wealth building, Age Pension and Centrelink, SMSFs and UK State Pension clients.

Independent Financial Advisers in South Australia

Anton Cafarella AFM Services Adelaide	AFM Services says it provides accounting, bookkeeping and advisory services.
Cameron Foster Horizon Advisory Port Lincoln	Mr Foster says his expertise and experience lies in personal money management, investment, retirement planning and superannuation.
Craig Meathrel Strategiq Wealth Adelaide	Strategiq Wealth says it provides ‘life-centred’ advice which is focussed on your personal goals and life issues that require financial and investment strategies.
Jacie Taylor Periapt Advisory Adelaide	Periapt Advisory says its services include advice about investments, insurance, cash flow, government benefits, salary sacrifice and salary packaging, retirement planning, superannuation and SMSFs, aged care and estate planning.

Independent Financial Advisers in the ACT

Andrew Saikal-Skea Saikal-Skea Canberra	Mr Saikal-Skea says he advises on superannuation, defined benefits, SMSFs, investments, tax planning, insurance, estate planning, social security and financial modelling.
Naomi Horobin Clover Financial Group Canberra	Ms Horobin says she provides advice to assist with: cashflow management and budgeting, wealth creation, superannuation, retirement planning and income streams, Centrelink and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) payments, estate planning, and asset and lifestyle protection.
Phil Thompson Rise Financial Canberra	Mr Thompson says his areas of expertise include advice relating to superannuation, investment, borrowed funds, personal insurance, salary packaging, budgeting and cashflow management and estate planning.
Susannah Kulincevic Brocktons Independent Advisory Canberra	Brocktons states it offers a “no strings attached” advice consultation and a comprehensive planning service. Some of the services it says it may be able to provide include advice on wealth creation, SMSFs, transition-to-retirement pensions and succession planning arrangements.

Independent Financial Advisers in Tasmania

Simon Duigan

Core Independent Financial Advice

Kingston

Core says it’s practice areas are lifetime planning, cash flow and budgeting, superannuation, investments, personal insurance, Centrelink payments, aged care and estate planning.

How to find a financial adviser based on your needs

If you are looking for an independent financial adviser, the list above may help you narrow down your options. You can also search for advisers through professional associations such as the FPA and the Association of Financial Advisers’ (AFA) website Your Best Interests.

Both websites offer a ‘find a financial adviser/planner’ tool where you can narrow down advisers by location. The Your Best Interests tool also allows you to select advisers who are ‘non institutionally aligned’. Bear in mind that the advisers available via these tools may not be classified as ‘independent’ by PIFA.

When you meet a financial adviser, Moneysmart says it’s a good idea to ask them about:

what their qualifications and specialty areas are
who their typical client is
how they charge (i.e., what fees they charge and how much these are)
how they choose which products to recommend and whether they receive any commissions or incentives

Cover image source: mentatdgt/Shutterstock.com

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Tamika Seeto

Finance Journalist

Tamika is a former Finance Journalist at Canstar. She covered banking and general insurance. She has a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at QUT. Her work is regularly referenced by major publishers, such as The Guardian, ABC, Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool and The Conversation.

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