AustralianSuper enters competitive outflow as platform growth accelerates
Australia’s largest super fund now has more money leaving than arriving as a result of member switching, according to APRA data analysed by The Conexus Institute, as the influence of the retail platforms continues to grow. The fund says it will turn to investing in advice to stem the flow.
January 19, 2026
Harding-Davis awarded first-ever lifetime membership of PFAN
A presentation to the Professional Planner Dealer Group Summit in 2013 led to the creation and development of the industry-wide Pro Bono Financial Advice Network (PFAN), and Paul Harding-Davis has been the one consistent factor right from the start. That commitment has now been formally recognised.
January 16, 2026
True ‘cost of freedom’ more than $300k a year – just for one adviser
Obtaining an AFSL is often driven by a desire for autonomy, control and business ownership, but it comes at a cost. New research shows that the true "cost of freedom" includes not only direct expenses, but also the opportunity cost of missed client-facing time, and the often-overlooked "mental load" factor.
January 15, 2026
Advisers ‘not the enemy’ in true super fund partnerships
Many super funds are falling over themselves to create relationships with external professional advisers to deliver advice to members, especially as they near retirement. But Marisa Broome says the service standards of profit-to-member funds generally do not hold a candle to retail funds or platforms, and they should stop treating advisers as the enemy.
January 14, 2026
Strong advice communities breed culture of success
Of all the services and benefits delivered by national firms and licensees, the attribute that advisers universally value is community, which is impossible to fake and difficult to find. Through all of the advice profession’s ups and downs, conferences and PD days have remained a core part of the national firm and licensee value proposition.
January 13, 2026
How pro bono advice delivers a helping hand in tough times
Navigating the world of insurance claims can be daunting, especially for people facing significant health or financial challenges. Financial adviser Natalie Lackner volunteered for the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network to help those in need secure access to advice.
January 12, 2026
‘It’s easy, in my mind’: When to sack a manager
When sacking a manager, it comes down to a pragmatic approach that refers to whether they are delivering on the principles they set out, rather than focusing on performance or fees, the Shape of Advice podcast heard.
January 09, 2026
Adviser departures post-education deadline defy expectations: Wealth Data
Already 223 advisers have come off the ASIC adviser register with the deadline to either have an approved degree or apply for the experience pathway having passed. But Wealth Data’s Colin Williams tells Professional Planner the toll of the education deadline won’t be as heavy as many had predicted.
January 08, 2026
Look beyond admin fees to judge platform cost
With platforms spruiking more low-cost options, admin fees can’t be assessed individually without factoring in other costs, according to research from SuitabilityHub. The industry researcher found a client’s balance will have a significant impact on the interplay between fee structures across a full product suite.
January 07, 2026
A new approach to the annuity puzzle: Decision states and longevity literacy
The low take-up of annuities has been a feature of the market for decades, and while various theories have been put forward to explain this, there has never been a definitive answer, writes Hazel Bateman. A new study sheds new light on the issue and uncovers some issues that should help superannuation funds as they strive to meet their retirement income objectives.
January 07, 2026
APRA adds hurdles to prevent Diversa adding more ‘high-risk’ investments
Diversa Trustees will be restricted from onboarding “high-risk” investments after the prudential regulator added licence conditions, but the trustee responsible for onboarding First Guardian to its platforms argues the requirements have come after the regulator drew the wrong conclusions from a review into platform standards.
January 06, 2026
Fines handed down in conflicted rem case against RM Capital, The SMSF Club
The Federal Court has handed down $925,000 in penalties to RM Capital and The SMSF Club over conflicted remuneration breaches when it accepted referral fees from a real estate agency to assist clients in setting up an SMSF to purchase property from the agent.
January 06, 2026
