Financial Adviser Guides
Practical guides to finding, verifying and working with a financial adviser in Australia.
Getting Started
Why Superannuation can be a Good Investment
Superannuation is one of Australia's most tax-effective savings vehicles. Employer contributions, concessional tax rates and decades of compounding returns make super hard to beat for long-term wealth building. Here's why.
Read guideWhen Do You Need a Financial Adviser?
Covers the situations where financial advice makes the biggest difference - approaching retirement, receiving a windfall, major life changes, and running an SMSF - plus when you probably don't need one yet.
Read guideFinancial Adviser vs Accountant - What's the Difference
Most people aren't sure what separates a financial adviser from an accountant. Here's what each is licensed to do, where they overlap, and when you need one or both.
Read guideHow Much Does a Financial Adviser Cost in Australia
Covers the three main fee structures Australian financial advisers use, what you actually get for the money, and how to compare costs before committing to an adviser
Read guideHow to Choose a Financial Adviser
Choosing the right financial adviser starts well before your first meeting. Here is what to check on the ASIC register, how to compare authorisations and experience, and what to look for before you engage anyone.
Read guideWhat to Ask a Financial Adviser Before You Hire Them
The right questions before your first meeting can save you from making a costly mistake. Here is what to ask a financial adviser about registration, fees, authorisations and conflicts of interest before you commit.
Read guideWhat is a Financial Services Guide?
Explains what a Financial Services Guide must contain, how it differs from a Statement of Advice, and what to actually look at before committing to an adviser.
Read guideWhat Happens in Your First Meeting With a Financial Adviser
Your first meeting with a financial adviser is about understanding your situation, not committing to anything. Here is what to expect, what to bring and what happens after the meeting.
Read guideGeneral vs Personal Financial Advice - What's the Difference
Explains the legal difference between general and personal financial advice, why it matters when something goes wrong, and how to tell which one you're actually receiving.
Read guideWhat is a Statement of Advice?
Covers what an SOA must legally contain, how to read one, what the red flags are, and what to do if something doesn't look right.
Read guideHow Financial Adviser Fees Work Inside Superannuation
Many Australians pay their financial adviser directly from their superannuation account without fully understanding how it works or what they are entitled to know. Here is a plain-English explanation of how adviser fees inside super work.
Read guideHow to Read a Financial Adviser Profile
A financial adviser profile on the ASIC register contains a lot of information. Here is what each section means, what to look for and what the key fields tell you about the adviser.
Read guideHow to Make a Complaint About a Financial Adviser
Covers the internal complaints process, how to escalate to AFCA, when to report to ASIC, and what compensation outcomes to realistically expect.
Read guideTypes of Financial Advice
Superannuation Advice - What a Financial Adviser Can Help With
Covers fund selection, investment options, contribution strategies, insurance inside super, and why the years approaching retirement are when advice matters most.
Read guideSMSF Financial Adviser - Do You Need One?
Covers whether an SMSF suits your situation, what SMSF advice actually involves, the difference between an SMSF adviser and accountant, and who is authorised to give SMSF advice.
Read guideLife Insurance Advice - What You Need and Why It Matters
Covers life cover, TPD, income protection and trauma insurance, how to assess how much you need, inside versus outside super, and what to check before accepting any recommendation.
Read guideWhat is Tax Financial Advice Services (TFAS)?
Explains what TFAS authorisation allows a financial adviser to do, how it differs from a tax agent, and why it matters if your financial situation has significant tax dimensions.
Read guideChecking an Adviser
How to Verify a Financial Adviser's ASIC Registration
Covers how to search the ASIC Financial Advisers Register, what each field means, what to do if an adviser doesn't appear, and why verifying a firm's licence matters too.
Read guideHow to Check a Financial Adviser's Disciplinary History
Covers what disciplinary history on the ASIC register actually means, how to find it, how to check the licensee as well as the adviser, and how to interpret what you find.
Read guideWhat is an AFS Licence?
Explains what an AFS licence is, who holds it, what it authorises, the difference between a licensee and an authorised representative, and how to verify a licence is current.
Read guideFASEA Education Standards for Financial Advisers
Covers the degree, exam and professional year requirements introduced under FASEA, the ongoing CPD obligation, the Code of Ethics, and what the standards mean in practice when choosing an adviser.
Read guideReady to find a financial adviser?
Search 15,000+ ASIC-registered advisers across Australia.