BECOME A FINANCIAL PLANNER
Empower others and transform lives – build a career in Financial Advice.
What is Financial Advice?
Financial advice helps people grow and protect their wealth, plan for the future and make informed financial decisions for themselves and their families.
This is provided by a financial planner (or financial adviser – these terms are used interchangeably). Along with other financial advice professionals involved in the planning process, advisers help guide people to achieve their financial and personal goals with customised strategies.
Shape futures
Financial careers help individuals and families stay financially secure through all of life’s twists and turns and view their future with confidence. Learning how to become a financial adviser is an astute decision in the modern world.
Increasing demand
As we prepare for the largest transfer of intergenerational wealth, you will play a crucial role in helping people make more informed financial decisions. This demand continues to drive interest in how to become a financial planner in Australia.
Competitive salaries
Not only can you earn while you learn how to become a financial adviser in Australia, but a career in financial advice offers attractive earning potential.
Own your own business
Enjoy the freedom and flexibility to shape your financial planner career according to your preferences. Whether you envision yourself working with a small or large business, or even starting your own practice, many professionals choose this path after they become a financial adviser.
Flexible working options
Becoming a financial adviser allows you to access flexible and hybrid working conditions with the potential to control how, when and where you work.
Work with inspiring people
The financial advice profession is full of vibrant, diverse peers who are willing to support one another. Once you become a financial planner, connect with like-minded people and make lifelong connections.
How do you become a financial adviser?
Stories from real professionals
WILLARD LLOYD
Senior Associate Adviser, Apprise Harpel Group
Q. What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
I grew up working on my family farm in regional NSW, then went to university and moved into financial advice. I left the industry for a couple of years to try marketing, but came back because I missed the real, tangible impact you can have on clients’ lives.
Q.What made you want to be a financial adviser?
I liked the idea of helping people make big life decisions with confidence and clarity. It’s a great mix of strategy, people, and long-term relationships.
Q. What was your education pathway?
I completed a Bachelor of Business (Marketing & International Business) at La Trobe, then an MBA in Marketing, which really highlighted the importance of brand management—both personally and for the businesses I work in. I’ve since completed a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning and am now undertaking a Master’s of Financial Planning while working in advice.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
Engage with the community, talk to advisers, and gain exposure to day-to-day work. It is a rewarding career if you enjoy working with people and solving real-life problems.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their Professional Year?
Don’t wait until your Professional Year to start learning about client interactions and advice preparation. I’m preparing to start my Professional Year, but I’ve made the most of every opportunity to interact with clients along the way. For example, I gained valuable experience by answering the phone whenever someone called the office. This helped me get comfortable speaking with clients and allowed me to learn as much as possible by asking questions, sitting in on meetings, and observing experienced advisers. The more curious you are, the more you’ll gain from the experience.
MONTANA LEDGAR
Associate, Centaur Financial Services
Q.What made you want to be a financial adviser?
I love being able to support clients in achieving their goals while also crafting the strategy behind their plan. It’s so rewarding to see them enjoy financial freedom made possible through the structure and guidance you’ve put in place.
Q. What was your educational pathway to becoming a financial adviser?
I finished school at the end of year 11 and got a job as a receptionist at a financial planning firm. From there, I completed by Diploma of Financial Planning and then enrolled in my Bachelor of Commerce as a mature age student and completed this part time while working full time.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
Make sure you try all the different roles and responsibilities of a financial planning practice. Understanding how to complete the roles of a CSO, paraplanner, associate and receptionist are so valuable as you see different aspects of client care as well as how to achieve great outcomes for clients.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
Network at much as possible! Whether that’s going to events, through social media or engaging with fellow FY candidates, it’s reassuring to have likeminded people on the same path where you can share experiences and ideas.
HANNAH ELLIOTT
Associate Adviser, Marin Wealth
Q. What made you want to be a financial adviser?
I’ve always had a passion for personal finance, which means I’m constantly talking about it in my personal life – parties, BBQs, coffee catch ups – you name it! Through this, I noticed a huge lack in financial literacy amongst my peers and wanted to help change their narrative. So back to University I went, and thus began my journey in financial advice.
Q. What was your education pathway?
I studied a Bachelor of Applied Financial Advice at Griffith University in March 2022. This consisted of 24 subjects, which I completed over 3 years at a mostly full-time capacity including summer trimesters. I graduated in March 2025 and began my PY. During my time at Uni, I have worked at 3 different financial planning firms. My first role commenced in September 2022 as a CSO, then moving onto another CSO role in October 2023, and finally my current role as an Provisional Financial Adviser which I began in November 2024.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
If you want to help transform people’s lives through their finances, then become an adviser! It’s a highly rewarding career when you have a genuine passion for seeing other people succeed. Sure, there is a bit of a pathway to become qualified, but if you partner your studies with working in the industry, you will thrive.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
Find a firm that is in full support of your journey and won’t hold you back – even if that means switching firms while still in your PY. I’m lucky enough to have an amazing support system at Fierra Wealth, but I know of peers who’ve had the opposite experience with other firms. Don’t let anybody clip your wings.
GREG CLARK
Associate, Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers
Q. What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
Professional Athlete
Q. What made you want to be a financial adviser?
A love for interacting with people and an enjoyment of personal finance & numbers.
Q. What was your education pathway?
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance / Economics) (2015-2018)
Grad Dip of Financial Planning (2020 – 2023) – Associate
Masters of Financial Planning (2023-2025) – Associate
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
Speak to people who are in a similar position (i.e. 12-24 months) into their career to be able to provide guidance as to what to expect etc.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
Just start ASAP. Start logging time as this can be quite a tedious exercise.
ADELE WRAITH
Member Manager, Pursue Wealth
Q. What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
Becoming a financial adviser is my first career path after completing my bachelor’s degree, which I started straight after finishing high school. Alongside my passion for personal finance, I’ve always been a creative person. During university, I launched my own makeup artistry business, turning a personal passion into a successful side venture!
Q. What made you want to be a financial adviser?
I’ve always been struck by the lack of emphasis on financial education, especially for young women, during my time at an all-girls high school. That gap sparked my curiosity about the profession as I began planning life after graduation. Around that time, my best friend’s father, an incredible financial adviser, showed me how this career blends a love for numbers and investing with the chance to build meaningful relationships and make a real difference.
Over the years, that initial interest has grown into a deep passion. Today, my mission is to empower people to feel confident in their financial decisions. I focus on guiding clients, particularly women, toward financial literacy and security so they can pursue their dreams with clarity and peace of mind.
Q. What was your education pathway?
I began my Bachelor of Business (Professional Practice) at RMIT in 2022, majoring in Financial Planning, and I graduated in 2025.
During my studies, I worked part-time at Flinders Wealth for two years as an Administrative, Compliance, and Research Assistant. This experience was instrumental in my journey because it allowed me to see how the theory I learned at university translated into practice. Working in a firm where advisers genuinely love what they do reinforced my passion and confirmed that I was on the right track.
As of August 2025, I became a Member Manager at Pursue Wealth, a firm focused on helping clients achieve financial freedom and live a life they love. I hope to commence my Professional Year in the near future.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
A career in financial advice is incredibly rewarding because you have the opportunity to help people navigate their financial journeys and achieve peace of mind. From my experience so far, I’ve learned that developing strong technical skills alongside empathy and clear communication is essential for building trust with clients. These are qualities you won’t fully learn from textbooks at university!
In the early stages of your career, focus on creating connections with your peers and consider joining a professional association such as the FAAA. Being part of a community gives you support and a sense of belonging. After being apart of the Emerging Professionals Committee, I’ve felt more confident knowing I have people experiencing similar challenges and milestones. We can share ideas and support each other when we’re unsure of the next steps.
Now more than ever, it’s an exciting time to join the profession. I hope financial advice becomes a more visible career option during those pivotal years of education so we can create greater awareness and attract passionate individuals to the industry.
JOEL PERRYMAN
Professional Financial Adviser, Integritas Wealth Advisers
Q. What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
Personal Trainer and Gym Owner
Q. What made you want to be a financial adviser?
There are a range of reasons I wanted to be a financial adviser, but the deeper reason came down to seeing my Mum go through divorce and she completely lost confidence in herself financially. She never had control of the money in her relationship with my father and never built up the habits and knowledge needed to run her own finances.
I decided that I wanted to empower others to take back control of their finances and make sure no one needs to go through what my own mother went through, losing two houses in the space of three years.
I want to empower others to live a life they deserve, by helping them take back control of their life, health and wealth.
Q. What was your education pathway?
I started by enrolling in the Bachelor of Financial Planning degree with University of South Australia in 2020. I graduated from UniSA in Nov 2023.
I began my professional career as a client relationship manager and did this for two years. Before taking on the role as senior client relationship manager at Integritas.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
Start now, there is no point thinking about it, you need to look at just taking the plunge. But, if considering, you should definitely talk to as many advisers to get a sense of what the day to day is like, income/salary expectations etc.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
I started my professional year in September 2024. My biggest tip is stay on top of that log book and really discuss and think about your professional year plan with your licensee and supervisor. Create the expectation that the plan will be your guide book, it may not go completely to plan, but it should be pretty close.
We are all planners after all and therefore like to make sure that we know what the future will hold, so why not use that strength to really sculpt out exactly what the year to 18 months may look like.
JESSIE-LEE GLADWELL
Professional Year Candidate, BWW Partners
Q. What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
I’ve had the unique opportunity to lead two distinct careers. For the first 12 years, I worked as a beauty therapist, driven by my passion for helping others feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. My dedication led me to compete at regional and national levels, and I was honoured to represent Australia at the 2009 International WorldSkills Competition in Canada, where I won a gold medal. This success propelled me into a rewarding career teaching beauty therapy and coaching future competitors for national and international events.
While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the beauty industry, becoming a mother inspired me to pursue a new path. I was drawn to financial advice, a field that has always been close to my heart, and I made the pivot to help others navigate the financial challenges I personally experienced.
Q. What made you want to be a financial adviser?
I grew up in a low socio-economic family where financial literacy was lacking, and conversations about money were rarely held around the dinner table. As a result, I learned firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate money and taxes without proper knowledge, especially during my teens and early twenties. After making a career pivot later in life, I decided to pursue financial advice not only to develop valuable skills and knowledge for myself but also to help improve financial literacy across Australian households.
Q. What was your education pathway?
I completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Financial Planning. As a mature-aged student, balancing work, raising two beautiful kids, and finding time for study has been a challenge, but I’ve made it work by carving out pockets of time – often waking up early or studying after the kids are in bed.
In addition to my studies, I worked as an Assistant Accountant at a local accounting firm and am now in Q1 of my PY.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
Dive right in! Start by becoming an FAAA Student Member to access discounted tickets and sponsorships for events. Attending these events will help you connect with like-minded individuals and seasoned professionals in the field. For me, attending my first event was a game changer. One thing that’s surprised me about the financial advice industry is how supportive everyone is toward newcomers. Building connections with other aspiring advisers has been key to boosting my confidence, and learning from those who’ve paved the way has shown me what’s possible.
ALEX TETREAULT
Provisional Financial Adviser, Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice
Q. What made you want to be a financial adviser?
Helping and inspiring others has always been a passion of mine, building trusting relationships paired with my love for personal finance, this has ultimately led me down the path to becoming a financial adviser.
I’ve always been interested in understanding the economics of businesses and how wealth is built, retained and passed on to the next generation. These elements paired with human connection, where I can help individuals strive for their goals and navigate unique financial situations, opened the door to becoming an excellent financial adviser.
Q. What was your education pathway?
After taking 4 years off after year 12 to focus on my athletic career in Ice Hockey with the Canberra Brave and Australian National Team. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Banking) at the University of Canberra (August 2020) which was largely driven by my interests in share investing and compound interest after reading John C. Bogle’s infamous “The Little Book of Common-Sense Investing”.
In November 2020, I started my professional career in financial services for a mortgage broker, this role included back office and administrative duties, whilst understanding individual client positions. I was fortunate to spend around 6 months in this position until moving into a full-time paraplanning role for a financial planning practice licensed by AMP in 2021.
In this role I spent around 10 months writing advice and understanding the intricacies of investment management and financial planning, sparking the decision to change my university major from finance and banking, to a financial planning targeted degree.
In March 2022, I accepted a position as Associate for Saikal-Skea Independent Financial Advice, a new independent financial advice practice in Canberra founded by Andrew Saikal-Skea, with the mission of providing conflict free advice in the best interests of their clients.
Having garnered over 4 years of full-time experience in financial advice and graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) in November 2024. I am currently in Q3 of my PY.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
I think an important consideration is that a career in financial advice is about more than utilising financial tools with your clients, it’s about understanding your clients’ goals, ambitions and objectives, then subsequently building a plan and trajectory to assist them on their journey. Fundamentally it’s about people and how being on their team and utilising our expertise in financial planning, can help them create and realize the life they want to live.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
1 – Be present in every step along the way, don’t overthink it and simply get stuck in.
2 – I wouldn’t worry too much about how long your professional year will take, fundamentally, what’s more important is that you build the appropriate skills and tools to confidently deliver an excellent outcome for your clients.
3 – Expose yourself to as much as possible, learn the back end as much as the front end of financial planning, build great foundations and condition yourself to this fast paced and complex industry, which will allow you to prosper in the long run.
AAYUSH SHARMA
Financial Advisor, Frost Financial Planning
Q. What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
Retail Manager
Q. What was your education pathway?
Started as an admin member of the team at a practice in Sydney and then after doing 3 years of retail commenced as an assistant to a Financial Advisor in Darwin. Completed my Professional Year in June 2024.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
If you are problem solver and love talking to people- a career in Financial advice is for you.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
Take it slow- don’t run at the finish line. The longer you spend under supervision- you get more confident in your craft.
JACKSON RADDYSH
Financial Adviser, PrimeAdvisory
Q.What did you do before becoming a financial adviser?
I was a Marketing professional prior to entering the advice profession. I did pretty much every marketing role under the sun, from advertising, to branding and campaign management. Whilst the technical skills were worlds apart, many of the soft skills like managing clients and managing projects, carried into advice very well. That being said, there was and still is a lot to learn.
Q.What made you want to be a financial adviser?
For me, it was only throughout my mid-20’s when I even realised that Financial Advice could be a career path. Whilst I enjoyed running marketing campaigns for clients in a previous career, it wasn’t something that made me feel fulfilled. Many of us get to a point in life where we ask ourselves a simple question – am I living according to my values? For me at work, that meant trying to help people make better life decisions and benefit the community that they are involved in. This was at odds with the large corporate clients I was serving in a previous marketing role. I realised that a financial advice as a career gave a unique opportunity to work closely with regular people, to help solve their toughest life and financial challenges. If I could help clients manage the financial worries in their life, they could focus on things that matter much more than money, like the relationships in their life.
I have also experienced the poison that money can cause to family relationships. Like many others, my extended family became embroiled in a dispute over an estate inheritance several years ago. As a younger kid, it was hard to make sense of it. As an adult now, it has made me acutely aware of how good financial planning, such as effective estate planning, can help to prevent some of these challenges for families. That experience has given me a strong motivation to help clients navigate the potential pitfalls that money can bring out in relationships.
Q. What was your education pathway?
When I decided to pursue a career in financial advice in early 2022, I hadn’t done the required education that led to becoming a financial adviser. I had only done a general degree in Commerce. That meant hitting the books and enrolling in a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. Whilst I progressed through the degree for the next two years before completing it in mid-2024, I was fortunate to be working for my current company as an Associate. This really helped bring a lot of the theory to life, as lots of the study content related to our firm as an holistic advice provider. Once I finished the degree, I commenced my professional year.
Q. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in financial advice?
My biggest piece of advice would be to trust yourself and find ways to give different roles a go. There are many roles in advice to suit the unique person that you are. Love researching and preparing detailed reports? Paraplanning might be a good fit. Love listening to and communicating with clients? Perhaps you have the makings of an Adviser. Love bringing strategies to life for clients? Client services could work. These are just few of the many roles that exist in advice. You know yourself, so don’t try to fit into a role – you can find the role that fits you.
Q. What top tip would you give to someone about to commence their professional year?
My top tip would be to pace yourself. I underestimated the amount of administration and sheer weight of educational requirements that would be involved. People in the advice profession are often quite ambitious and results-oriented, which can make us want to push forward too fast. Try to quiet that little voice inside your head that tells you to do that. PY is a journey of a thousand steps – take each one in front of the other and make time to enjoy the path.
Pathway to becoming a Financial Adviser in Australia
1.
Complete an approved bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in financial planning. Examples include: Bachelor of Applied Financial Advice, Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning), or a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.
2 - 4 years
2.
Prepare and pass the Financial Adviser exam. Can be sat whilst still studying or in the first half of the Professional Year.
4 sittings per year
3.
Complete the Professional Year to achieve 1500 work hours and 100 structured training hours whilst being supervised by an experienced financial planner.
Typically takes 14-16 months (full time)
4.
Get registered with ASIC (through your employer) during the Professional Year and commit to adhering to the Financial Planners and Advisers Code of Ethics.
Ongoing
5.
Engage in continuing professional development (CPD).
Ongoing
