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- What makes a financial adviser ‘independent’?
- Sydney independent financial advisers
- Melbourne independent financial advisers
- Brisbane independent financial advisers
- Perth independent financial advisers
- Adelaide independent financial advisers
- Canberra independent financial advisers
- Hobart independent financial advisers
SuperGuide has always recognised that financial advice can add significant value to your retirement plans, so long as it’s truly independent, free from conflicts of interest and in the best interests of the clients.
The challenge is finding it. With that in mind, we’ve been tracking Australia’s independent financial advisers since 2010 and compiled a national directory to save you some of the legwork.
But before we get to the list, it needs pointing out that not just any adviser can declare they are independent. There are rigorous standards that must be complied with.
What makes a financial adviser ‘independent’?
According to ASIC, which regulates all Australian financial advisers:
Under [Section 923A of] the Corporations Act, a person who carries on a financial services business or provides a financial service is prohibited from using the terms ‘independent’, ‘impartial’ or ‘unbiased’, or any other term ‘of like import’ in relation to the business or service except where the person meets certain conditions, such as not receiving any commissions, volume-based payments or other gifts or benefits.
Most of the financial advisers listed below belong to the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA), formerly known as the Independent Financial Advisers Association of Australia (IFAAA), which requires all members to meet the following criteria:
- No ownership links or affiliations with product manufacturers. Impartiality is impossible where an adviser has links to a product manufacturer. Ownership links create an environment where the adviser resembles, at best, a well-intentioned salesperson.
- No commissions or incentive payments from product manufacturers. Commissions are payments made by product manufacturers to their distribution network. They create a conflict of interest between advisers and their clients.
- No asset-based fees. Asset fees, although authorised by the client, are calculated on the volume of business an adviser places with a product manufacturer. (On this basis, advisers who receive a percentage fee from an administration platform or wrap can’t describe themselves as independent.) Asset fees are incentives that prevent an adviser from being impartial and therefore create a conflict of interest between adviser and client.
President of PIFA Daniel Brammall has also described how to identify an independent financial adviser in the SuperGuide article What makes a financial adviser independent?
The list below includes financial advisers who are not members of the PIFA but who have signed a declaration that they only charge fees for service, and do not receive any remuneration from:
- Commissions
- Trailing commissions
- Asset-based fees for service, including trailing income or fees based on a percentage of assets under management
- Bonuses (of whatever description)
- Conflicted remuneration as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) pt 7.7A div 4
- Any other form of monetary or non-monetary remuneration that could reasonably give rise to a conflict between my interests and the interests of my clients.
The financial advisers listed below that are not members of the PIFA have signed a similar declaration, which you can see here.
Sydney independent financial advisers
There are 23 independent financial advisers listed across Sydney, including 12 that are members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA). Below this list you can also find six independent financial advisers that service regional NSW.
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Chatswood
Christine Fenech
Quantum Financial
Level 3
9 Help St
Chatswood
NSW 2067
AFSL: 239200
Chatswood
Claire Mackay
Quantum Financial
Level 3
9 Help St
Chatswood
NSW 2067
AFSL: 239200
Website: www.quantumfinancial.com.au
Phone: (02) 80840453
Chatswood
Tim Mackay
Quantum Financial
Level 3
9 Help St
Chatswood
NSW 2067
AFSL: 239200
Website: www.quantumfinancial.com.au
Phone: (02) 80840453
Chatswood
Ricky Truong
Quantum Financial
Level 3
9 Help St
Chatswood
NSW 2067
AFSL: 239200
Website: www.quantumfinancial.com.au
Phone: (02) 80840453
Narrabeen
David Harper
Naked Wealth
PO Box 129
Narrabeen
NSW 2101
AFSL: 520963
Neutral Bay
Jo-Anne Nelson
Arc Financial Solutions
Suite 102, Waters Road Executive Suites
12 Waters Road
Neutral Bay
NSW 2089
AFSL: 319288
Neutral Bay
Howard Pitts
Arc Financial Solutions
Suite 102, Waters Road Executive Suites
12 Waters Road
Neutral Bay
NSW 2089
AFSL: 319288
Newtown
Ben Liddicoat
BBK Financial Planning
Suite 204
1 Erskineville Road
Newtown
NSW 2042
AFSL: 511786
North Sydney
Kevin Smith
The Professional Super Advisers
Suite 904
83 Mount Street
North Sydney
NSW 2060
AFSL: 321895
Oatley
Deborah Lin
Liquidity Independent Advisers
Suite 4
89 Mulga Rd
Oatley
NSW 2223
AFSL: 293538
Pyrmont
Fergus Hardingham
FM Financial Solutions
Suite 2.12
55 Miller St
Pyrmont
NSW 2009
AFSL: 327277
Website: www.fmfinancialsolutions.com.au
Phone: (02) 95187822
Sutherland
Philip Davies
Liquidity Independent Advisers
Somerset Cottage
122 Flora St
Sutherland
NSW 2232
AFSL: 293538
Sydney
Vince Lam
Plutus Financial Guidance
Australia Square
264 George St
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 517944
Website: www.plutusfinancialguidance.com.au
Phone: (02) 91888873
Sydney
Michael Morrison
M Financial Planning
8, 65 York St
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 343671
Sydney
Michael Radalj
Your Private Advisers
Level 57, MLC Centre
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 466050
Website: yourprivateadvisers.com.au
Phone: (02) 99224699
Sydney
Bill Raffle
Bennelong Private Wealth
Level 8
65 York St
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 296152
Website: bennelongprivatewealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 82151514
Sydney
Peter Surtenich
Suetonius Wealth Management
127 Kent Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 452772
Sydney
Harry Buckeridge
Providence Wealth Advisory Group
Level 9
20 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 245635
Sydney
Michael Ogg
Providence Wealth Advisory Group
Level 9
20 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 245643
Website: providencewealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 92399333
Sydney
Carlo Queddeng
Providence Wealth Advisory Group
Level 9
20 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 245635
Website: providencewealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 92399333
Sydney
Grant Patterson
Providence Wealth Advisory Group
Level 9
20 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 245635
Website: providencewealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 92399333
Sydney
William Porter
Providence Wealth Advisory Group
Level 9
20 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 245635
Website: providencewealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 92399333
Sydney
James Smith
Providence Wealth Advisory Group
Level 9
20 Martin Place
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 245635
Website: providencewealth.com.au
Phone: (02) 92399333
NSW regional independent financial advisers
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Ballina
James Cruz
Evolution Financial Planning
4 / 122 Tamar St
Ballina
NSW 2478
AFSL: 412063
Bungendore
Philip Harvey
Construct Wealth
85 Ellendon St
Bungendore
NSW 2621
AFSL: 464629
Newcastle
Kyle Frost
Millenial Independent Advice
481 Hunter St
Newcastle
NSW 2300
AFSL: 511786
Orange
Daniel McGregor
Wealth Train
65 Sale St
Orange
NSW 2800
AFSL: 520963
Shellharbour
Richard Barber
Liquidity Independent Advisers
Unit 2
1 Wattle Rd
Shellharbour
NSW 2529
AFSL: 293538
Sydney
Stephanie O'Connor
Custom Accounting
Level 24, Three International Towers
300 Barangaroo Ave
Sydney
NSW 2000
AFSL: 286854
Melbourne independent financial advisers
There are 20 independent financial advisers listed across Melbourne, including 15 that are members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA). Below this list you can also find two independent financial adviser that service regional Victoria.
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Caulfield
Trent Alexander
Financial Planning Expert
Suite 5, 242 Hawthorn Road
Caulfield
VIC 3161
AFSL: 402042
Website: www.financialplanningexpert.com.au
Phone: (03) 59744350
Essendon North
Rick Horvat
Horvat Financial Advisors
1/94-100 Keilor Rd
Essendon North
VIC 3040
AFSL: 378107
Essendon North
Mathew Horvat
Horvat Financial Advisors
G1, 94-100 Keilor Road
Essendon North
VIC 3041
AFSL: 378107
Hawthorn
Tom Barlow
Roskow Independent Advisory
Suite 1 Level 4
858 Glenferrie Road
Hawthorn
VIC 3122
AFSL: 429377
Hawthorn
Adriano Donato
Roskow Independent Advisory
Suite 1, Level 4, 858 Glenferrie Rd
Hawthorn
VIC 3122
AFSL: 429377
Hawthorn
Matthew Ross
Roskow Independent Advisory
Suite 1, Level 4, 858 Glenferrie Rd
Hawthorn
VIC 3122
AFSL: 429377
Hawthorn East
Stephen Farrell
Guided Wealth
Suite 309, 737 Burwood Road
Hawthorn East
VIC 3123
AFSL: 427218
Kew
Amir Salehi
Planning Wealth Independent Advisory
Ground Floor, 35 Cotham Road
Kew
VIC 3101
AFSL: 464629
Kew
James Stephan
Stephan Independent Advisory
Suite 506, 1 Princess Street
Kew
VIC 3101
AFSL: 476427
Kew
Joe Stephan
Stephan Independent Advisory
Suite 506, 1 Princess Street
Kew
VIC 3101
AFSL: 476427
Malvern
Dennis J. Maddern
Maddern Financial Advisers
Suite 237, 29 Milton Parade
Malvern
VIC 3144
AFSL: 332556
Malvern East
Jordan Vaka
PlanningSolo
Level 2, 1341 Dandenong Road
Malvern East
VIC 3146
AFSL: 526143
Melbourne
Dominic Alafaci
Collins House
Level 13, 90 Collins Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
AFSL: 449146
Melbourne
Natasha Hall
Hall Advisory
Level 7, 101 Collins Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
AFSL: N/A
Melbourne
Jason Smith
Think Independent
Level 17, 31 Queen Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
AFSL: 480493
Melbourne
Sean Dwyer
Curve Financial
103/1 Cochranes Road
Melbourne
VIC 3000
AFSL: N/A
Melbourne
Berivan Dubier
Curve Financial
103/1 Cochranes Road
Melbourne
VIC 3000
AFSL: N/A
Website: www.curveaccountants.com.au
Phone: (03) 95889000
Parkville
Cameron Howlett
Independent Wealth Partners
Level 4/369 Royal Parade
Parkville
VIC 3052
AFSL: 512433
Website: independentwealthpartners.com.au
Phone: (03) 83939371
Parkville
Christopher Haggart
Independent Wealth Partners
Level 4, 369 Royal Parade
Parkville
VIC 3052
AFSL: 512433
Website: independentwealthpartners.com.au
Phone: 03 83939371
Ringwood North
Corin Jacka
Priority1 Wealth Management Group
Shop 1, 204-206 Warrandyte Road
Ringwood North
VIC 3134
AFSL: 324472
VIC regional independent financial advisers
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Bendigo
Damian Liddell
Contrarian Group Financial Planning
Level 2
41 Mundy Street
Bendigo
VIC 3550
AFSL: 523228
Geelong
Chris Thoms
Super Focus
Level 2
235 Ryrie Street
Geelong
VIC 3220
AFSL: 434377
Brisbane independent financial advisers
There are 18 independent financial advisers listed across Brisbane, including four that are members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA). Below this list you can also find two independent financial advisers that service regional Queensland.
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Brisbane
Rebecca Scarrabelotti
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Delma Newton
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Crystal Bobir
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Neil Kendall
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Cynthia Sercombe
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Mark O'Flynn
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Simon Hepson
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Mark Milner
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Rocco Costa
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
Ross McConachie
Tupicoffs
Level 11
410 Ann Street
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 302670
Brisbane
James Kenny
HSP Private Wealth
Level 9
87 Wickham Terrace
Brisbane
QLD 4000
AFSL: 516358
Fortitude Valley
Aaron Crosthwaite
Curve Financial QLD
Po Box 342
Fortitude Valley
QLD 4006
Website: curveaccountants.com.au
Phone: (07) 3613 9092
Newstead
Justin Brand
Brand Financial
76 Skyring Tce
Newstead
QLD 4006
AFSL: 511382
Newstead
Caleb Dozzi
dozzi
Level 2, Lobby 1
76 Skyring Terrace
Newstead
QLD 4001
AFSL: 490210
Newstead
Ellie Fordham
dozzi
Level 2, Lobby 1
76 Skyring Terrace
Newstead
QLD 4006
AFSL: 490210
Spring Hill
Mace O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan Financial
Level 9/87 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill
QLD 4000
AFSL: 516358
Stones Corner
Neil Salkow
Roskow Independent Advisory
433 Logan Road
Stones Corner
QLD 4120
AFSL: 429377
Stones Corner
Samuel Turrisi
Roskow Independent Advisory
433 Logan Road
Stones Corner
QLD 4120
AFSL: 429377
West End
Guy Rasmussen
Whole Wealth
11 Beesley St
West End
QLD 4101
AFSL: N/A
QLD regional independent financial advisers
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Maroochydore
Jayne Graving
Arch Financial Planners
Level 2, 'Ocean Central'
2 Ocean Street
Maroochydore
QLD 4558
AFSL: 485276
Noosaville
Keith Henderson
Malibu Wealth Advisory
Noosa Boardroom, CA 6-10, 28 Eenie Creek Rd
Noosaville
QLD 4573
AFSL: 464629
Perth independent financial advisers
There are seven independent financial advisers listed across Perth, including three that are members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA). Below this list you can also find two independent financial advisers that service regional WA.
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
East Perth
Liz Gliddon
Andep Investment Consultancy
PO Box 3584
East Perth
WA 6892
AFSL: 230176
Mount Lawley
Chris Cornish
Cornish Wealth Management
6/39 Railway Parade
Mount Lawley
WA 6050
AFSL: 436740
Perth
Dennis Barton
Andep Investment Consultancy
Level 13, 251 Adelaide Terrace
Perth
WA 6892
AFSL: 230176
South Perth
Christopher Young
CY Financial Advice
68 South Terrace
South Perth
WA 6151
AFSL: 509648
West Leederville
Nick Bruining
Bruining Partners
Level 1, 115 Cambridge Street
West Leederville
WA 6007
AFSL: 245514
West Leederville
David McGregor
Bruining Partners
Level 1, 115 Cambridge Street
West Leederville
WA 6007
AFSL: 245514
West Perth
David Sharpe
Globe Financial Planning
Suite 2, Level 1, 682 Murray Street
West Perth
WA 6005
AFSL: 499923
WA regional independent financial advisers
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Eaton
Peter Humble
Rise Wealth
Unit 4, 8 Cassowary Bend
Eaton
WA 6232
AFSL: 464629
Geraldton
Mick Steffan
Independent Advisers WA
3, 30-33 Hosken Street
Bluff Point
Geraldton
WA 6530
AFSL: 464629
Adelaide independent financial advisers
There are two independent financial advisers listed in Adelaide, both of whom are member of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA). Below this list you can also find one independent financial advisers that services Port Lincoln.
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Eastwood
Craig Meathrel
Strategiq Wealth
Suite 12B, 198 Greenhill Road
Eastwood
SA 5063
AFSL: 464629
Kent Town
Jacie Taylor
Periapt Advisory
3/68 North Terrace
Kent Town
SA 5067
AFSL: 464629
SA regional independent financial advisers
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Port Lincoln
Cameron Foster
Horizon Advisory
19 Adelaide Pl
Port Lincoln
SA 5606
AFSL: 337867
Canberra independent financial advisers
There are three independent financial advisers listed across Canberra, who are all members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA).
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Kingston
Naomi Horobin
Clover Financial Group
PO Box 4122
Kingston
ACT 2604
AFSL: 464629
Monash
Phil Thompson
Rise Financial
25 Michell Street
Monash
ACT 2904
AFSL: 311718
Woden
Susannah Kulincevic
Brocktons Independent Advisory
PO Box 2088
Woden
ACT 2606
AFSL: 464629
Hobart independent financial advisers
There are four independent financial advisers listed across Hobart, including one that is a member of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers (PIFA).
Suburb
Adviser
Company
PIFA member?
Howden
Jane Clark
Jane Clark Financial Management
428a Howden Road
Howden
TAS 7054
AFSL: 513532
Website: www.janeclarkfinancialmanagement.com.au
Phone: 0419 905114
Kingston
Simon Duigan
Core Independent Financial Advice
44 Channel Hwy
Kingston
TAS 7050
AFSL: 464629
North Hobart
Jared Schrank
WellAdvised Financial Advisers
336 Elizabeth St
North Hobart
TAS 7000
AFSL: 512670
North Hobart
Anton Diedericks
WellAdvised Financial Advisers
336 Elizabeth St
North Hobart
TAS 7000
AFSL: 512670
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The difficulty is that only very few advisers qualify.
I have been told that the very tight definition of ‘independent’ was engineered by the banks in order to minimise competition.
If anyone who *could* offer truly independent advice because they are not connected with a insurance or investment provider (including no in-house products) was allowed to call themselves ‘independent’, as they allow in many other countries, then the banks and AMP would have competition from more than just the few advisers on this list.
Declaration: I am a financial adviser. I accept insurance commissions and so-called asset-based fees, where my income goes up and down with the client’s investments. Otherwise I could call myself ‘independent’.