Financial Adviser Head Count Sees Marginal Gains

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Despite the recent uptick, the overall trend for the calendar year remains concerning. WealthData's principal, Colin Williams, highlighted that many advisers previously counted among the fiscal year's large exits have returned under new licenses. This movement has somewhat cushioned the overall number, bringing active financial adviser registrations to 15,469 as of now.

Interestingly, since the beginning of the financial year on July 1, there have been 41 new advisers registered, including the 21 additions from the past week. These recent figures indicate a potential reversal in the downtrend, though the calendar year's net loss of 148 advisers can't be overlooked.

Weekly Adviser Activity Overview

• Net change of advisers: +39
• Total number of active advisers: 15,469
• Year-to-date net change for 2024: -148
• This financial year's net change: +121
• Net change for the last financial year (2023/24): -211
• 39 Licensee Owners achieved net gains amounting to 54 advisers
• 12 Licensee Owners faced net losses, losing 13 advisers
• Two licensees commenced operations, while one ceased
• 21 new advisers entered the scene
• Total advisery movements (appointments/resignations): 74 (down from last week's 246)

Licensee Owner Growth Highlights

Certain licensee owners experienced appreciable gains this week. Insignia Group stands out with a net increase of seven advisers; five being new entrants while the remaining two transitioned from Alliance Wealth and internal positions within Insignia.

AvalonFS showed a net increment of six advisers. However, it's noteworthy that all six had ceased operations toward the end of June but were reinstated in the beginning week of July.

Other notable movers include:

• New licensee onboarding advisers from Advice Evolution
• Pitcher Partners Brisbane: gained two new entrants
• Philborne Pty Ltd (Dirigere Advisory): added one adviser each from Zebra Financial Services and Fortnum
• Bell Financial: inducted two new advisers

Additionally, a broad spectrum of 33 other licensee owners saw a net growth of one adviser each, including firms like Fortnum, Centrepoint, and Capstone.

Licensee Owner Losses This Week

On the flip side, there have been notable declines within certain major licensee owners:

• AMP Group saw a dip by two advisers; one new adviser joined from Godfrey Pembroke, but this gain could not offset three other advisers ceasing their affiliation (backdated to June).
• A group of 11 licensee owners, including prominent names like Findex Group, Infocus, and Morgan Stanley, observed a net loss of one adviser each, including the one licensee that completely wound down.

The ever-evolving adviser landscape reflects the broader shifts and disruptions within the financial advisory sector in Australia. It will be crucial to monitor if trends reverse sustainably or if the industry continues to navigate these turbulent waters. (Source: WealthData)

Published:Saturday, 13th Jul 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Card Surcharge Ban Adds New Cash Flow Test for Small Firms

28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s new card surcharge rules have turned a small checkout fee into a wider cash flow question for consumers and small businesses. Since 1 October 2026, businesses have generally been unable to add card payment surcharges for major card networks, making payments look simpler at the counter but leaving operators to decide how remaining merchant costs fit into their pricing, margins and budgeting. - read more

Why More Australians Are Rechecking Their Debt Mix

16 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent consumer finance reporting has again highlighted a familiar pressure point for Australian households: managing several debts at once can become harder as everyday costs stay elevated. Credit cards, buy now pay later balances, car repairs, medical bills and overdue utilities can each look manageable in isolation, but together they may create a repayment calendar that is difficult to keep under control. - read more

Why Credit Complaint Trends Matter Before You Take a Small Loan

09 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

A fresh round of financial complaints reporting has put credit products back under the spotlight, with borrowers continuing to raise concerns about repayment pressure, fees, credit reporting, hardship support and the way lenders communicate when things go wrong. For Australians considering small loans, the message is practical rather than alarming: quick access to finance can be useful, but it should come with clear terms, realistic repayments and a plan if your income changes. - read more

Why Thin Savings Buffers Are Changing How Australians Borrow

02 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent consumer finance reporting has again highlighted a problem many Australians already feel in their weekly budget: savings buffers are thin, and unexpected costs are arriving faster than wages can absorb them. Car repairs, medical bills, rent gaps, utility catch-ups and small business cash flow shortages can all turn into urgent funding decisions, especially for casual workers, sole traders and households with irregular income. - read more

Why Personal Loan Rate Differences Matter for Small Borrowers

26 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent finance market reporting points to a sharper divide in Australia’s personal loan market: borrowers with stronger credit profiles and stable incomes may still find competitive offers, while applicants with patchier credit, casual income or heavier existing commitments can face higher pricing, tighter limits or more conditions. For Australians considering small loans, that gap matters more than the headline rate. - read more

What New BNPL Credit Rules Mean for Australians Considering Small Loans

19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Buy now pay later has shifted from a simple checkout convenience to a more formal part of Australia’s consumer credit landscape. Since the newer regulatory framework began applying, providers have faced clearer expectations around licensing, suitability checks, complaints handling and support for customers who fall behind. For everyday borrowers, this matters because BNPL, small personal loans and other short-term finance products often compete for the same household budget. - read more

What the RBA Rate Hold Means for Small Loan Borrowers

12 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s latest interest rate pause gives borrowers a little breathing space, but it should not be mistaken for a drop in loan costs. After months of pressure from inflation, rents, insurance, groceries and utilities, the Reserve Bank’s decision to keep the cash rate steady leaves many households and small business owners still managing repayments shaped by earlier increases. - read more

Fast Cash Pressure Is Creating New Loan Scam Risks

04 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Australians searching for quick finance are being urged to slow down before responding to online loan offers, as scam activity continues to target people under cost-of-living pressure. The warning is especially relevant for borrowers who need urgent money for bills, car repairs, medical costs, rent gaps or short-term business cash flow. - read more

What ASIC’s Hardship Focus Means for Everyday Borrowers

28 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s credit regulator has kept the spotlight on how lenders respond when borrowers fall into financial hardship, a theme that matters directly to households and small business operators using small loans to manage short-term pressure. The message is simple: hardship support should be accessible, practical and clearly explained, not buried behind confusing processes or repeated requests for the same information. - read more

Click for more Finance News