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.
![]() Gender disruptionIt's not just technology that will give financial advice its mass appeal, more women in leadership roles could go a long way in lifting the industry's ... ![]() Tying the knotWhen Bill Shorten introduced his same-sex marriage bill to a near-empty Parliament chamber on June 1, it was clear his "opportunity of a generation" ... ![]() Rise of the machines?One of the biggest problems with so-called "robo-advice" is that no one agrees on what the term actually means. Uncertainty lends itself to suspicion ... ![]() Is insurance broken?Is insurance broken? By now you will probably have an opinion about the Trowbridge Report released last week and it is also very likely that you have ... ![]() Medcraft's appalling speechI am surprised. More than that, I am astonished, shocked. Last week I was left speechless by the address that the Australian Securities and Investments ... ![]() Quality of advice is the real constantDavid Murray's Financial System Inquiry (FSI) is due to report in a few days and rumours and speculation on what it will recommend are already making ... ![]() A new regulator? Better empower ASICThe Australian financial services industry and Australia's financial advisers already have regulator dedicated to policing standards: the Australian Securities ... ![]() Breaking out from the FoFA catch-22Ever since the first draft of the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) legislation came out, the advice sector has been trapped in a very big, very confusing ... ![]() The age of SMSFsThe growth of the number and volume of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) seems to have no end. As the sector reaches the one million individual funds milestone ... |
Latest News
Advisers should rethink portfolio construction: La Trobe
La Trobe Financial has urged advisers to broaden portfolio construction beyond traditional equity and bond allocations, arguing that slowing productivity, persistent inflation risks and changing market dynamics require greater focus on real assets and private credit.
Advice complaints see biggest increase in FY26: AFCA
Despite only accounting for less than 10% of the total complaints lodged, investment and advice complaints have seen the steepest increase in FY26, data from AFCA shows.
Acclime acquires Melbourne's Polar 993
Acclime, a provider of corporate, governance, advisory and fund services across Asia Pacific and global markets, has signed an agreement to acquire the independent trustee and fund administration business from Melbourne.
Platforms are not solution providers: AZ NGA
AZ NGA group chief executive Paul Barrett warned platforms should stay in their lane rather than overstep to improve financial adviser productivity, reiterating that it is the advice business' responsibility to do so.
Further Reading
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.










