Industry Updates

Future of self-licensing remains ‘vibrant’ despite calls for ASIC levy changes

More than 570 of 2443 AFSLs have no registered advisers. Entireti Alliances' Andy Marshall says those are the licensees a heavier ASIC levy would flush out, not the “vibrant” boutiques offering professional, client-centric advice.

A small word that sends a big signal there’s a governance issue ahead

Section 761G of the Corporations Act says a client "may" be treated as a wholesale client. It doesn't say a licensee must treat them that way, and the difference between the two means there is a clear need for effective governance.

FAAA calls on Mulino for ‘sensible’ DBFO advice reforms

The Financial Advice Association Australia says the Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino should use an address to the National Press Club next week to outline reforms that will support the growth of the profession and improve advice affordability and accessibility.

ART says advice fee ban would leave members worse off

Australian Retirement Trust, the nation's second-biggest super fund, says banning advice fee deductions from members' accounts would deny members access to a service the fund believes leaves them better off.

When life gives you lemons: Squeezing after-tax returns from the CGT overhaul

The proposed 30 per cent floor on capital gains tax proposed in this year’s federal budget will hit low-income investors hardest. But Betashares' Cameron Gleeson argues it also creates a case for rethinking whether income or growth is the more tax-efficient return for these clients.

Achieving stable income and portfolio resilience in an uncertain world

The top priority of many investors is building a resilient, sustainable income stream within their portfolios, however, Betashares says traditional methods of generating extra income are being challenged, sparking a new wave of income-orientated investment strategies.

More advisers, not product distribution, key to fixing advice gap

Moves by super funds such as AustralianSuper to establish advice capability risk blurring the line between product distribution and quality professional advice. Fixing the advice gap means ensuring that more, appropriately qualified advisers are available to deliver advice to Australians, regardless of where they seek it. 

Advisers support philanthropy, but 60 pc never raise it with clients

The launch of a national program to support advisers on structured giving addresses four major reasons they say they stay quiet: a lack of training, fear of the client's reaction, uncertainty about their best interests duty, and the hit to their own fee base.

AustralianSuper advice play bodes well for DBFO resurrection

The nation’s largest superannuation fund has heeded the call of regulators to lift its risk appetite and embark on personal financial advice to members. Even with the counsel of top lawyer Michelle Levy, the megafund will find it challenging to navigate the complex advice laws as they stand, but its bullishness is likely a positive sign for the future of advice reform.

The most critical debate for the advice profession right now

The advice industry has had some important debates over the past 30 years, including fees versus commissions, who owns the client and a new class of adviser, but another critical issue is playing out right now, requiring advisers’ urgent attention, according to AZ NGA’s Paul Barrett.

ASIC action against rogue financial services operators at five-year high

Enforcement action against rogue financial services operators is at a five-year high, with the latest numbers from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission revealing that 87 individuals and businesses were removed or restricted from providing financial services in the year to 30 June 2026.

Licensee leaders on trust, capacity and the reform agenda

Entireti group chief executive Neil Younger and WT Financial Group managing director Keith Cullen discuss the outlook for financial advice policy, the FSC licensing white paper, ASIC’s Report 833 on platform trustee oversight and navigating political advocacy in Canberra.

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