Cost guide · Updated April 2026
How much do financial planner cost in Australia? (2026)
Complete 2026 cost guide for financial planner in Australia. Price ranges by service, hidden fees, cost-saving tips, and average fees in each capital city.
Written by Find a Financial Planner editorial team · Updated 15 April 2026 · 4 min read
How much do financial planner cost in Australia in 2026?
Initial advice (Statement of Advice): $3,300-$5,500 typical, up to $8,000 for complex situations. Ongoing advice: $3,000-$8,000/year for $500k-$2M households. Hourly: $300-$600/hr. Robo-advice (Stockspot, Six Park): $50-$140/month. Many planners offer free 30-minute initial discovery calls before you commit. Fee structures matter: flat fees are typically better for clients than asset-based fees (which penalise portfolio growth) or commission-based fees (banned for most products since 2014).
Pricing data compiled from 5 providers across 7 service categories, updated April 2026.
★ Key takeaways
- ✓ Typical price range in Australia: $1,500 and $8,000.
- ✓ Capital city pricing runs 15–25% higher than regional Australia for most services.
- ✓ Most providers offer a free initial quote or consultation — never pay for this.
- ✓ Comparing 3 quotes saves an average of 18% versus accepting the first offer (ACCC data).
- ✓ Ask for itemised quotes; flat-rate quotes often hide exclusions.
Financial Planner pricing by service
Here's how pricing breaks down by service type:
| Service | Typical cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement Planning | $3,300-$8,000 | Strategy for transitioning to retirement and tax-efficient income drawdown. |
| Super Advice | $1,500-$5,000 | Super consolidation, contribution strategy, fund selection, SMSF advice. |
| Investment Advice | $3,000-$8,000/yr ongoing | Portfolio construction, asset allocation, ETF/managed fund selection. |
| Insurance Advice | $1,500-$3,500 | Life, TPD, income protection, trauma cover review and strategy. |
| Estate Planning | $2,000-$5,000 | Will structure, super beneficiaries, testamentary trusts, family financial planning. |
| Aged Care Financial Strategy | $2,000-$5,000 | Fee structures, RAD vs DAP decisions, asset preservation for aged care. |
| SMSF Adviser | $3,500-$8,000 setup | Self-managed super fund setup, investment strategy, compliance. |
Pricing by city
Based on our 5-provider dataset, typical financial planner pricing varies by city:
| City | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | Upper metro pricing | Large supply, competitive on volume |
| Sydney | Highest metro pricing | Premium market, 10–15% above Melbourne |
| Brisbane | Mid-tier metro | Growing market, good value for specialist care |
| Perth | Mid-tier metro | Fewer providers, more personal service |
| Adelaide | Lowest metro pricing | Excellent value, limited premium options |
How to save money on financial planner
- Always get 3 quotes for like-for-like scope — saves 15–20% on average
- Book outside peak periods where possible (avoid school holidays, end of financial year)
- Ask providers to match a lower quote you've received in writing
- Check if a basic service tier meets your needs before upgrading
- Read the exclusions section of quotes carefully; ask specifically what's NOT included
- Use a comparison service (like this one) to pre-qualify providers and get bundled quotes
Frequently asked questions
How much do financial planner cost in Australia in 2026?
Initial advice (Statement of Advice): $3,300-$5,500 typical, up to $8,000 for complex situations. Ongoing advice: $3,000-$8,000/year for $500k-$2M households. Hourly: $300-$600/hr. Robo-advice (Stockspot, Six Park): $50-$140/month. Many planners offer free 30-minute initial discovery calls before you commit. Fee structures matter: flat fees are typically better for clients than asset-based fees (which penalise portfolio growth) or commission-based fees (banned for most products since 2014).
How much does a financial planner cost in Australia?
Initial advice (Statement of Advice): $3,300-$5,500 typical, up to $8,000 for complex situations. Ongoing advice: $3,000-$8,000/year for $500k-$2M households. Hourly: $300-$600/hr. Robo-advice (Stockspot, Six Park): $50-$140/month. Many planners offer free 30-minute initial discovery calls before you commit. Fee structures matter: flat fees are typically better for clients than asset-based fees (which penalise portfolio growth) or commission-based fees (banned for most products since 2014).
How do I find a financial planner I can trust?
Verify on ASIC Financial Adviser Register (moneysmart.gov.au) — every licensed adviser is listed with qualifications, employment history, and any disciplinary action. Look for: CFP (Certified Financial Planner) or higher qualification, independent or non-aligned (not owned by a bank), upfront transparent fees, willingness to walk you through their fee structure, listening to your goals before recommending products. Avoid: anyone who recommends specific products before understanding your situation, "free" advice that's actually commission-based.
When should I start seeing a financial planner?
Earlier is better — small optimisations compound over decades. Common trigger points: turning 50 (10-15 years from retirement), receiving an inheritance or redundancy, considering early retirement, planning aged care for parents, divorce/separation, starting a business, or investments exceeding $250,000. Even a one-off Statement of Advice at age 35 to optimise super and insurance can save $200,000-$500,000 over a lifetime through compounding.
How much does a financial planner cost in Australia?
Initial advice (Statement of Advice): $3,300-$5,500 typical, up to $8,000 for complex situations. Ongoing advice: $3,000-$8,000/year for $500k-$2M households. Hourly: $300-$600/hr. Robo-advice (Stockspot, Six Park): $50-$140/month. Many planners offer free 30-minute initial discovery calls before you commit. Fee structures matter: flat fees are typically better for clients than asset-based fees (which penalise portfolio growth) or commission-based fees (banned for most products since 2014).
How do I find a financial planner I can trust?
Verify on ASIC Financial Adviser Register (moneysmart.gov.au) — every licensed adviser is listed with qualifications, employment history, and any disciplinary action. Look for: CFP (Certified Financial Planner) or higher qualification, independent or non-aligned (not owned by a bank), upfront transparent fees, willingness to walk you through their fee structure, listening to your goals before recommending products. Avoid: anyone who recommends specific products before understanding your situation, "free" advice that's actually commission-based.
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