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Financial Planning

Conaghan holds ASIC accountable for Shield, First Guardian mess

KARREN VERGARA  |  THURSDAY, 20 NOV 2025
The shadow minister for financial services Pat Conaghan has thrust ASIC front and centre of the First Guardian and Shield Master Fund collapses, saying it should take accountability for its delayed action and it is high time for its reformation.

Advice sector looks to offshore talent to bridge skills gap

KARREN VERGARA  |  THURSDAY, 20 NOV 2025
The financial advice profession is helping solve the talent shortage by tapping into the offshoring workforce, offering pathways to education and training, according to Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

Why risk advice is on the verge of collapse: Experts

MATTHEW WAI  |  WEDNESDAY, 19 NOV 2025
The challenges around risk advice have forced many advisers to abandon the sector. With greater complexity and a dwindling number of specialists, experts fear the risk market may cease to exist, the FAAA Congress 2025 has heard.

Human biases call for simpler retirement framework: Research

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  TUESDAY, 18 NOV 2025
Financial advisers need to tackle inherent behavioural bias in members and build simpler frameworks to improve retirement outcomes, according to research by Industry Fund Services (IFS).

Estimated CSLR levy comes in at $127m for FY27

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  MONDAY, 17 NOV 2025
The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) is estimating the sub-sector levy to be payable by the financial advice industry in FY27 will be $126.9 million - but that doesn't account for First Guardian and Shield.

First Sentier Group to combine investment affiliates

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  THURSDAY, 13 NOV 2025
A decade on from separating the two, First Sentier Group is merging Stewart Investors and FSSA Investment Managers back together.

Advice industry under strain amid crisis of inefficiencies: Elemnta

MATTHEW WAI  |  TUESDAY, 11 NOV 2025
Financial advisers are struggling with inefficiencies in data and implementations that are hindering advice accessibility, growth, and profitability.

AZ NGA expands in South Australia

KARREN VERGARA  |  THURSDAY, 6 NOV 2025
AZ NGA has taken an undisclosed stake in Adelaide-based accounting and financial planning firm Oreon Partners.

Feature: Retirement | The right mix

LACHLAN COLQUHOUN  |  WEDNESDAY, 5 NOV 2025
Greater retirement confidence and better outcomes will come from improved access to financial advice and stronger public engagement but achieving that is a complex formula.

Outsourcing will 'supercharge' value of advice: Netwealth

MATTHEW WAI  |  TUESDAY, 4 NOV 2025
A new report from Netwealth outlines key methods of growth for advice businesses, including pinpointing where to outsource some business activities.