Financial planning fees in Australia typically range from $3,500 to $5,500 for an initial plan and $3,000 to $6,000 per year for ongoing advice.
Costs vary based on your situation's complexity, including SMSFs, tax considerations, and intergenerational wealth planning.
The industry has moved away from hidden commissions toward transparent fee-for-service and ongoing fee models.
A Statement of Advice (SoA) is the key deliverable from your initial engagement with a financial planner.
Good financial advice is not just about cost, it is about the value it returns through tax efficiency, better investment outcomes, and peace of mind.
Most people who put off seeing a financial planner are not short on reasons to go. They are short on certainty about what it is going to cost them.
You might know your superannuation could perform better. You have probably wondered whether you are investing the right way, and that is if you are investing at all. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you are not entirely sure your insurance still fits your life. Yet the phone remains on the hook. The hesitation stems from a single question: what is the financial damage?
That caution makes sense. We are wired to look for a price tag before we commit to anything. But unlike purchasing a vehicle or booking a flight, financial advice is not a product you can put in a cart. It has to fit your life specifically, your income, your goals, your stage, your circumstances. Asking what financial planning costs is like asking a builder what a renovation costs. It entirely depends on scope.
At Findex, there are no surprise bills and our fee philosophy is built on openness. But to give you a realistic sense of what you might pay, it helps to first understand what you are actually getting.
The financial advice industry has changed significantly over the last decade. The era of hidden commissions and murky fee structures is largely over, driven by regulatory reform following the Royal Commission into Banking and Financial Services. The industry has since shifted to two cleaner models.
Fee-for-service: You pay a set fee for specific advice, such as a one-off financial plan or consultation, similar to how you would pay a solicitor or accountant for a defined piece of work.
Ongoing fees: A recurring charge for continued access to a financial planner who reviews your situation, adjusts your strategy, and helps keep your plan on track over time.
When engaging a planner, costs generally fall into two categories.
This is the foundational work. Your planner analyses where you stand financially, maps out what you are trying to achieve over the next 10 or 20 years, and builds a strategy to get you there.
The key deliverable is a Statement of Advice (SoA), a formal document required under Australian law that outlines the advice given and the reasoning behind it. The fee here covers more than the document; it covers the strategic architecture behind it.
Life does not stay still. Markets move. Laws change. Your priorities shift. Ongoing fees cover the work of keeping your plan relevant as your circumstances evolve, not just watching investment charts, but having a professional in your corner when something significant changes.
The cost reflects complexity. A young professional with one superannuation fund has very different needs to a business owner juggling family trusts, estate planning, and aged care considerations.
While every client's situation is unique, industry data offers a useful baseline for what to expect.
| Type of advice | Typical cost range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Initial financial plan | $3,500 to $5,500 | Statement of Advice, goal mapping, investment and superannuation strategy |
| Ongoing annual advice | $3,000 to $6,000 per year | $3,000 to $6,000 per year Strategy reviews, market adjustments, regulatory updates, ongoing support |
| Simple advice (e.g. super review) | Lower end of range | Focused, single-issue advice for straightforward situations |
| Complex advice (e.g. SMSF, estate planning) | Higher end of range | Self-Managed Super Funds, intergenerational wealth transfer, complex tax structures |
If your situation is relatively straightforward, such as a superannuation review or a basic investment strategy, you will likely sit at the lower end of these ranges. Portfolios involving Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs), complex tax considerations, or intergenerational wealth transfer will naturally incur higher fees due to the additional workload involved.
For Australians seeking advice close to home, Findex has offices across the country including Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast, each with advisors who can walk you through a personalised fee proposal before you commit to anything.
This is the core question most people are really asking. Cost is the expense; value is the return.
For some people, the value is tangible: improved tax efficiency, reduced fund fees, smarter debt restructuring, or a better-performing superannuation strategy. For others, the value is psychological. It is the removal of financial anxiety. It is the confidence that, should the unexpected occur, your family's security is assured.
According to ASIC's MoneySmart, Australians who receive financial advice are generally better prepared for retirement and more confident in their financial decisions, reinforcing that quality advice tends to pay for itself over time.
At Findex, we start with a conversation because every client's situation is different, and the right fee should reflect the right advice. Whether you are based in Geelong, Canberra, or Townsville, once we understand your needs, we will put a transparent proposal in front of you so you know exactly what you are committing to before you commit to anything.
Good financial advice is not a cost to minimise. For most people, it ends up being one of the smarter decisions they make, and often one they wish they had made sooner.
Financial planners in Australia typically charge between $3,500 and $5,500 for an initial financial plan, and between $3,000 and $6,000 per year for ongoing advice. Fees vary depending on the complexity of your situation, the services required, and the adviser you work with. All fees must be disclosed upfront in a Fee Disclosure Statement.
A Statement of Advice is a formal document that a licensed financial planner is legally required to provide before implementing any recommendations. It outlines your financial goals, the advice given, the reasoning behind it, and any fees or commissions involved. It is your key reference document for understanding what has been recommended and why.
Some financial advice fees may be tax deductible in Australia, particularly those relating to the management of existing investments or income-producing assets. However, fees for the initial establishment of a financial plan are generally not deductible. It is advisable to speak with a registered tax accountant to confirm what applies to your specific situation.
A reasonable fee is one that is clearly disclosed, proportionate to the complexity of your situation, and tied to specific services you will receive. Under Australian law, financial planners must provide a Fee Disclosure Statement and obtain your consent before charging ongoing fees. If a planner cannot clearly explain what you are paying for and why, that is a red flag. Always ask for a written proposal before committing.
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