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Financial Planning

FAAA urges inclusion of advisers on occupational shortage list

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 19 MAR 2026
The Financial Advice Association Australia has urged the government to include financial advisers and paraplanners on the official 2026 Occupation Shortage List.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquires Asset Partners Private Wealth

KARREN VERGARA  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 MAR 2026
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) has acquired Queensland financial advice firm Asset Partners Private Wealth.

Ironbark brings businesses under one national banner

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 MAR 2026
Ironbark will consolidate 15 businesses under a new single brand, Ironbark Financial Group.

Sequoia advances InterPrac takeover talks

KARREN VERGARA  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 MAR 2026
Sequoia Financial Group said it is in "advanced discussions" with an unnamed buyer interested in taking over InterPrac Financial Planning.

Treasury proposes advice education standard reforms

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 17 MAR 2026
Treasury is proposing to overhaul the curriculum and learning outcomes for new entrants in financial advice, admitting that current requirements are "excessive compared to other professions".

CALI pushes for advice reforms as Australians turn to AI

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  TUESDAY, 17 MAR 2026
More Australians are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for insurance advice, underscoring the need for the government to deliver on its advice reforms, the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) said.

Index managed portfolios still most popular among advisers: North

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  MONDAY, 16 MAR 2026
AMP's bi-annual North Managed Portfolios Insights Report found that while private markets are seen as the next growth opportunity for sector innovation, index managed portfolios remain most popular among advisers on its platform.

Super tax changes shake HNWs' retirement confidence: Report

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  MONDAY, 16 MAR 2026
High-net-worth (HNW) individuals report feeling less confident about their retirement as changes to superannuation and tax settings take their toll.

Clime offloads advice business, keeps 10% stake

KARREN VERGARA  |  MONDAY, 16 MAR 2026
Clime Investment Management is offloading its financial advice unit for $6.5 million to an unnamed group but will retain a 10% interest in the newly combined business.

AFCA expands scam-related complaints, publication rules

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 13 MAR 2026
Expanding its jurisdiction, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will now publish the names of financial firms that do not meet determinations and investigate scam-related complaints involving receiving banks.