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.
![]() Eye on the ballFinancial planning is at its best as a premium service, judging from a recent case study featured in the Australian Journal of Financial Planning. ![]() Shot by OakeshottGovernment aligned independent Rob Oakeshott appearing to shy away from backing parts of the FOFA reforms shows yet again the folly of the financial services ... ![]() Dealer group business models purring on the catwalkOnline advice can't be all bad if the FPA is hosting free online Q&A advice chat lines as part of Financial Planning Week. ![]() Professionalism's greatest test, or examFinancial advisers and their associations have been lobbying hard to be treated as professionals and it seems ASIC has heeded their advice with a consultation ... ![]() Rethinking insuranceFor all the talk and endless inquiries about underinsurance it's a little surprising that the Productivity Commission's report recommending the government ... ![]() Gerry was our Christmas presentThe retail sector made a big mistake over Christmas New Year in their luddite special pleadings to unwind the internet and attack consumers looking for ... ![]() Fewer SMSFs, in your dreamsAnother day another superannuation report about something vitally important, and this time it's a forecast that the number of self-managed super funds ... ![]() Redesigning advisers into 'choice architects'Research showing that consumers think financial advice should cost only $300 means advisers need to urgently recast their role, with reframing themselves ... ![]() In association we trustFinancial advisers in Australia frustrated by their associations despite there never having been so many of them should look at the Financial Planning ... ![]() Advisers don't need a hospital passTwo decades ago Australia's Medicare planners had the brilliant idea of limiting the number of Medicare registrations for new doctors as a way to hold ... |
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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.









