How to become a Financial Adviser

Also called: Financial Planner

Develops, prepares and implements financial plans and investment strategies for individuals or organisations, and advises on investment strategies, cash management, insurance, retirement and estate planning, real estate and wealth management.

Main tasks

• Interviews prospective clients to determine financial status and objectives, discuss financial options, and develop financial plans and investment strategies
• Sets financial objectives, and develops and implements strategies for achieving the financial objectives
• Monitors investment performance, and reviews and revises financial plans and investment strategies based on modified needs and changes in markets
• Arranges to buy and sell financial products for clients
• May refer clients to other organisations to obtain services outlined in financial plans, such as welfare entitlements, superannuation and aged care arrangements

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Superannuation (FNS40920); Graduate Diploma of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (FNS80120); Advanced Diploma of Integrated Risk Management (FNS60822); Advanced Diploma of Paraplanning (FNS60920); Certificate III in Financial Services (FNS30122); Certificate IV in Financial Services (FNS41820); Diploma of Financial Counselling (CHC51122); Diploma of Financial Markets (FNS51022)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $134,264 a year
• About 65,800 people work in this job group now, and about 74,200 are projected by 2035. (+12.7%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Financial Market Dealer
• Stockbroker
• Capital Markets Specialist
• Investment Analyst
• Investment Manager
• Credit Risk Manager

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Financial Adviser?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Certificate IV in Superannuation; Graduate Diploma of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing.

How much does a Financial Adviser earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $134,264 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Financial Adviser a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 65,800 to about 74,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Financial Adviser?

Usually. 70% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Financial Adviser?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04