FS Advice

Protecting vulnerable clients

SEAN GRAHAM   Elder financial abuse and domestic financial abuse are issues that are increasingly recognised as part of the duty of care of financial advisers and Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees.

Looking out for vulnerable clients

SEAN GRAHAM   Financial abuse rarely introduces itself. It does not always come with signs you can tick off on a checklist. But it is more common than most people realise- and growing fast.

Modern slavery in the geopolitical crossfire

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Companies and investors' approach on supply chain transparency can often collide with modern slavery regimes.

Boring is still beautiful for the second half of 2026

RICHARD BERNSTEIN   'Boring' investments continue to be attractive among investors that are sticking to fundamentals, rather than blindlessly chasing alphas.

The last question you should ask first

DREW BROWNE   It is a uniquely Australian experience. Every few years, the north-eastern coast of Australia is devastated by catastrophic floods or bushfires.

ASIC puts life companies on notice to improve sales practices

GABOR PAPDI, SIMUN SOLJO   ASIC issued a 'Dear CEO' letter to life companies on 18 August 20251, setting out key observations from a recently completed review of direct sales practices of life companies-although we think the issues raised have broader application for all insurers.

ASIC calls for cyber uplift: What AI-enabled cyber risk means for licensees

IOAN LUKE   ASIC has signalled an "urgent" uplift in cyber resilience measures agaisnt the backdrop of evolving innovation like AI for AFSLs.

AI isn't new, but the competitive gap it creates is

JOSHUA LEE   Advice firms that fail to adopt innovative approach risk falling behind their peers.

Superannuation market dynamics

POOJA RANI, CAMILLE SCHMIDT   Some of the most important regulatory and market updates across the super sector in 2026.

Don't trip over Payday Super this EOFY

JANET MANZANERO-CARUANA   Read the article to see if everything is ticked off on your Payday Super checklist before the end of the financial year.

The path to a happier retirement

MANDY MANNIX   The follow-up piece from Challenger's research highlights the various factors, including purpose and social connection, that contribute to a satisfying retirement.

2026 Challenger Retirement Happiness Index report

MANDY MANNIX   Findings from Challenger indicates retirees are happy with their retirement, but confidence about money continues to wane.

Valuations for social security and aged care

JENNIFER BROOKHOUSE   The accurate valuation of clients' assets is extremely important as it can impact their tax, social security and aged care outcomes.

Administering life interests in a changing world

RAFFAEL MAESTRI   Trustees tasked with administering long-standing life estates frequently encounter the challenge of reconciling rigid testamentary language with evolving beneficiary needs, particularly where aged care and residential transitions are involved.

Fees for no service: Still a hot topic

RACHEL ERLICH   Licensees need to ensure robust measures are in place to prevent a fees for no service event from occurring.

Scaling advice businesses

SEAN GRAHAM   While automation provides efficency for businesses, licensees need to be mindful of the potential implications it brings.

Why women's wealth will define the next decade of advice

KRISTEN BELL   Women will control more wealth, but they are not a homogeneous market - treating them as one simply replaces one set of assumptions with another, an expert says.

All love is not equal in family law

FIONA HOAD, KATHERINE JIAN   For couples navigating modern relationships, the legal distinction between a romantic relationship and a de facto relationship carries profound financial implications.

Personality profiling

NETWEALTH INVESTMENTS   Understanding personality traits and types can be a gamechanger for your professional relationships and personal growth.

Using influencers in the digital age

LYNDA DOWLING   This paper focuses on influencer marketing, specifically prohibitions related to the provision of unauthorised financial services, inducement and referral selling, misleading and deceptive conduct, and engaging in unconscionable conduct.