Brett Arnol

Viridian Advisory’s latest adviser poll has revealed that the cost-of-living crisis, the current housing shortage, and aged care policies are dominating client concerns as Australians brace for the upcoming 2025-2026 Federal Budget announcement.

While 82% of the advisers surveyed by the poll highlighted that clients are neither optimistic nor pessimistic towards the upcoming Federal Budget, changes to superannuation, including the anticipated adjustments to the Div. 296 tax threshold, remained a key area of interest.

The survey also revealed an uptick in client enquiries related to the Budget. Aged care and housing pressure were again leading themes, with the remaining queries largely focused on economic areas such as market volatility due to tariffs, interest rates, debt levels, and the impact of the Trump administration on the Australian market.

Among the advisers surveyed, over 96% anticipated minimal shifts in portfolio allocations following the Budget, indicating a firm commitment to stable asset allocation during uncertain times.

Brett Arnol, Co-Founder and General Manager of Advice at Viridian, said: “While we do not expect any significant impact on client portfolios from the upcoming Federal Budget, we hope to see concrete commitments emerging from the Budget that address client concerns which also includes childcare, education and Medicare.”

The 2025-2026 Federal Budget is scheduled to be handed down on Tuesday 25 March 2025.

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Brett Arnol

With HSC results set to be released next week, Viridian Advisory is calling on school leavers to consider an exciting and rewarding career in financial planning. Following a period of transformation, the industry is experiencing surging demand, creating opportunities for fresh talent to step in and help shape its future.

A changing industry presents opportunities for the next generation

Australia’s financial advice industry is at a pivotal moment. As a wave of experienced advisers approach retirement, and demand for advice continues to grow, the need for new talent has never been greater. The profession is poised for a new era, driven by innovation and fresh perspectives, making it an ideal time for HSC graduates to explore financial planning as a career choice.

“The industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, and with an increasing need for financial advice, there’s never been a better time for young talent to join and help shape the future,” said Brett Arnol, Co-Founder and General Manager – Advice at Viridian Financial Group Limited.

Pathways into financial planning: Specialist degrees and traditional routes

HSC graduates interested in financial planning can explore a range of education options to begin their careers. Specialist degrees in financial planning are now offered at many universities, providing focused and practical training for the industry. Alternatively, students can pursue more traditional finance or business-related degrees as a platform to enter the profession, supplementing these with specialist qualifications such as those offered by Kaplan or other industry bodies. These pathways provide the flexibility to tailor their education to their career goals while meeting the profession’s standards.

Viridian’s Professional Year Program offers pathway to success

Viridian Advisory’s Professional Year (PY) program is designed to prepare the next generation of financial advisers with a comprehensive blend of technical training, mentorship, and skill development. The program equips participants to thrive in a profession that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Key features of the program include:

• Personalised learning paths that accommodate diverse educational and career backgrounds.
• Mentorship from experienced advisers, offering invaluable guidance and industry insights.
• Development of critical soft skills such as emotional intelligence, collaboration, and client engagement.

“Our PY program is about more than meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about empowering young people to succeed in a dynamic and evolving industry,” Arnol said.

Seizing the opportunity to drive diversity and inclusion

As part of its commitment to the future of financial advice, Viridian is also focused on addressing challenges like gender imbalance in the profession. Through initiatives such as the FAAA Women in Finance scholarship and partnerships with educational institutions, Viridian is driving diversity to better reflect Australia’s population.

“The industry is evolving, and there’s a growing need for advisers who bring new ideas and diverse perspectives,” said Vega Yan, a Viridian PY graduate and FAAA Professional Year Grant for Women recipient. “Viridian gave me the tools to succeed and contribute meaningfully to this transformation.”

A call to HSC graduates: Shape a career that makes a difference

With HSC results to be announced on 18 December, Viridian Advisory is encouraging school leavers to consider financial planning as a career that offers growth, purpose, and the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives.

“This is a unique moment for young talent to step into an industry on the rise,” Arnol said. “The financial advice sector is ready for the next generation to bring fresh ideas, meet increasing demand, and shape its future for years to come.”

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Brett Arnol

Key points

• 93% of advisers found that the skill set required for financial advice has become more complex over the past five years.
• 79% of advisers say access to specialists is crucial for providing quality advice.
• 72% regularly work with other financial advice specialists in tax, aged care, and estate planning.
• 88% report increased use of SMAs to meet growing client needs as advice becomes more complex.
• 86% of advisers are seeing heightened client awareness around data security, driven by increasingly strict regulations.

A recent Adviser Sentiment Poll conducted by Viridian Advisory has revealed that the growing complexity of financial advice is driving an increasing demand for specialist expertise. The poll, which surveyed over 50 financial advisers highlighted that 79% of respondents believe it is critical to have access to financial advice specialists in areas such as tax, estate planning, and aged care to provide comprehensive, holistic and high-quality advice.

Brett Arnol, Co-Founder and General Manager of Advice at Viridian, said, “These days, access to specialists isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s an absolute must. Clients face increasingly complex financial challenges, from tax and estate planning to navigating divorce and aged care. No single adviser can be an expert in all these areas, which is why having a network of specialists is essential. It’s about making sure clients get the right advice from the right people, tailored to their unique situation, and no single adviser can deliver that alone.”

The survey also revealed that 72% of advisers frequently collaborate with other advice specialists when developing financial strategies for their clients, reflecting the growing reliance on external expertise to address a wide range of financial needs. The complexity of financial advice continues to increase, with 93% of respondents indicating that the skill set required for financial advice has become significantly more complex over the past five years.

Viridian’s network of specialists covers a broad range of areas essential to clients’ financial well-being, including investment planning, wealth protection, debt management, and superannuation. Advisers also offer expertise in more niche areas such as aged care advice, UK pension transfers, and SMSF structures. This depth of specialist support ensures that clients receive comprehensive advice that adapts to their changing needs throughout their financial journey.

Additionally, with the recent acquisition of Smartmove, Viridian Advisory has extended its specialist advice to include finance solutions. Smartmove provides tailored lending advice through a panel of over 30 lenders, offering services such as home loans, investment property financing, refinancing, SMSF loans, and commercial lending.

Brett Arnol added, “At Viridian, our team-based model ensures every client is backed by a primary adviser and a network of specialists across Australia. This approach allows us to deliver expert, tailored advice that adapts to each client’s changing needs.”

In response to these challenges, 88% of advisers have reported increased use of Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) to meet evolving client needs, further underscoring the demand for tailored and diversified strategies.

Cybersecurity identified as key concern for 2025

As the demand for more tailored client solutions grows, cybersecurity has also emerged as a critical priority for financial advisers. The Adviser Sentiment Poll revealed that 86% of advisers are seeing heightened client awareness around data security, driven by increasingly strict regulations.

Raamy Shahien, Joint Chief Executive Officer at Viridian Financial Group, highlighted the importance of protecting client information in today’s landscape.

“With evolving technologies and tighter regulations, data protection has become non-negotiable,” said Shahien.

Viridian’s ISO certification sets a high benchmark for the industry, ensuring rigorous standards in data management.

“Being ISO certified demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding client information, offering a level of trust and security that should be the standard for others in the industry,” Shahien added.

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Piers Bolger

Viridian Advisory, an Australian advisory firm, conducted a poll of its adviser network which covered 41 financial advice practices and the views of over 100 financial advisers. The survey conducted sought to understand the repercussions of global geopolitical events on financial advisers and their clients’ investment decisions and highlighted the unwavering resilience of Australian investors.

The poll reinforced the critical need for augmented support for financial advisers navigating ongoing geopolitical influences. Notably, 73% of advisers agreed additional support is a necessity to effectively communicate and educate clients about the potential implications of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

While economic concerns persist, a notable revelation surfaced: 56% of adviser respondents reported no client inquiries concerning the economic climate. Similarly, financial advisers highlighted that sentiments among clients remained stable, with 55% of advisers expressing unchanged or neutral bearish perspectives, while 41% highlighted their clients exhibited a more pessimistic outlook.

During times of crisis, investors can face heightened stress which can cause knee-jerk reactions that impact their investment strategies.

Amid looming global recession prospects, rising interest rates, and geopolitical conflicts, Australians have turned to financial advisers for personal guidance and reassurance along with wealth creation strategies.

Brett Arnol, General Manager of Viridian Advisory, emphasised that financial advice transcends mere investments; it’s a cornerstone for clients’ overall well-being and financial security.​

“During geopolitical tensions, there’s often a surge in uncertainty triggering potential stock sell-offs. Yet, within our network, our clients remain steadfast,” Arnol observed. “Our clients are oriented toward long-term investments, a stance reinforced by the support our advisors provide. However, amidst this volatile landscape of uncertainty, market fluctuations, and escalating inflation and interest rates, there’s an evident need for additional support.”

“It’s crucial for financial advisers to step in as coaches, guiding clients to maintain focus on their long-term goals and avoid rash decisions prompted by sudden market shocks. Financial advisers have assumed an increasingly pivotal role, extending their support beyond conventional financial planning practices”, said Mr Arnol.

Financial advisers serve as crisis interveners, not only offering guidance on investments but also playing a pivotal role in assuring clients during tumultuous times. Arnol highlighted this broader role, recognising the complexity advisers face as they help clients navigate multifaceted crises, providing support and devising strategies to buffer against future uncertainties.​

Arnol said Viridian Advisory draws heavily on Viridian Financial Group’s in-house investment expertise. Advisers receive the latest market commentary, videos and corresponding strategies to help them explain geo-political trends and issues, as well as local economic trends.

​Cash rates to be key driver of 2024 market outlook​

Piers Bolger, CIO of Viridian Financial Group, highlighted the investment environment in 2024 will be likely dominated by cash rates, “While geopolitical risks along with ongoing military conflict will continue to impact financial markets, our key focus as we head in to 2024 and the one that we believe will have the most significant impact will be the outlook for cash rates and by association inflationary expectations and the direction of bond yields. ​

The moves by central banks over the last 18 months to curb inflationary pressures has resulted in the most substantial uplift in cash rate history across many markets.​

“It is clear central banks are now closer to finishing with rate tightening than they were at the beginning of 2023.  This is fundamentally positive for multiple asset classes – equites, bonds, property, real assets – in our view, and we believe this will translate into higher, more synchronised investment performance across financial markets through 2024”, said Mr Bolger.

Viridian Advisory remains unwavering in its commitment to providing comprehensive support to financial advisers and clients, guiding them through the ever-evolving financial landscape amid this humanitarian crisis.

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