A never ending story of leviesBY PHIL ANDERSON | TUESDAY, 4 AUG 2026 2:57PMThe extensive processing period for Shield and First Guardian complaints means financial advisers will likely not be able to see an end to a series of levy hikes.
![]() Access, affordability are collateral damageAnyone who has worked closely with financial advisers, knows that they are an enthusiastic and energetic group who are great with people and optimistic ... ![]() Who should REALLY see a financial planner?Of the 120,000 or so people who work in wealth management in Australia, only 20,000 are financial planners. Most of the other 100,000 work for product ... ![]() Hiking the AFSL trailASIC is scrutinising AFS licence applications very closely - one slip and all your hard work is undone; your application is rejected and suddenly you ... ![]() Robo awakening in AustraliaAs the co-founder of one of Australia's first robo-advisers, I'd like to illuminate some similarities and differences between the financial landscapes ... ![]() Government should increase access to advice, not reduce itThe release of ASIC's Report 627 Financial advice: What consumers really think, highlighted that among Australians who have received professional ... ![]() Watch the knee-jerk when thinking about self-licensingThe financial planning industry in Australia is undergoing a seismic shift. We have mandatory exams, new education requirements, increased compliance ... ![]() No more us versus themIf we're truly going to serve consumer best interests, industry funds must work with financial advisers. ![]() Warranties and indemnities in the sale of financial advice portfoliosThe sale of financial advice portfolios is on the rise and both buyers and sellers are finding new ways to allocate risk. In this post, we put the current ... ![]() The other casualties of advice industry reformWhilst the enormity of mental health consequences has rarely received a second thought by legislators as they vehemently imposed non-stop change on the ... |
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Cover Story

Advice with soul
SACHA BURCHGART
FOUNDER AND FINANCIAL PLANNING SPECIALIST
BURCHEART
FOUNDER AND FINANCIAL PLANNING SPECIALIST
BURCHEART
Though she initially tried, Sacha Burchgart couldn't escape the call of a career in financial advice; it just took staring down her own mortality to see what's possible when you do things differently. Jamie Williamson writes.

















