Maria Lykouras

The Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA) has launched the Developing Adviser Resource Toolkit (DART), a new AI-powered professional development resource designed to help early-career advisers build the practical skills, confidence and professional judgement needed for a successful career in investment advice.

The launch comes at a critical time for the profession, with recent industry research forecasting adviser numbers could fall to fewer than 15,000 by 2030 despite growing consumer demand for financial advice^[1]. New entrants to the profession face increasingly complex regulatory, technical and professional requirements, reinforcing the need for practical support and development opportunities early in their careers.

SIAA Chief Executive Officer Maria Lykouras said supporting the next generation of advisers was critical to the future of Australia’s investment advice profession.

“The future of Australia’s investment advice profession depends on attracting, developing and supporting emerging advisers,” Ms Lykouras said.

“While formal education provides an important foundation, developing advisers also need opportunities to apply their knowledge and gain experience in realistic professional scenarios.”

While designed to support developing advisers, DART will also benefit professionals transitioning into financial advice from other careers. By combining practical learning resources with AI-powered simulations, the toolkit helps career changers accelerate their understanding of the advice process, practise client interactions and build confidence in delivering advice, while drawing on the professional skills and experience they already bring to the role.

“DART is not only for those starting their careers. It’s also designed to support professionals entering financial advice from other fields, helping them apply their existing experience while accelerating their development as advisers,” Ms Lykouras said.

Developed by SIAA in consultation with industry stakeholders including compliance leaders, training managers and heads of advice, DART provides practical resources, guidance and skills development for advisers undertaking their Professional Year and those in the early stages of their investment advice careers.

The toolkit combines educational resources with innovative AI-powered learning experiences, helping emerging advisers build confidence and capability in a safe learning environment.

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Maria Lykouras

SIAA issues open letter to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No 1) Bill and Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026

The Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA), the professional body for the stockbroking and investment advice industry, is concerned that the proposed capital gains tax (CGT) changes contained in Schedule 1 of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No.1) Bill and the associated Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 (the Bill) will have significant unintended consequences for Australian investors and capital markets.

Australia’s tax settings should support long-term wealth creation for everyday Australians and a capital markets ecosystem that funds Australian businesses and drives economic growth and innovation. Our key concerns are the the proposed CGT changes work against these objectives and will:

• Reduce investor confidence and participation in markets outside superannuation thereby cutting off an accessible path to long-term wealth creation for everyday Australians.
• Have a disproportionate impact on those with lower incomes such as women and younger investors who are investing their after-tax savings from a smaller base and will be subject to the 30% minimum capital gains tax.
• Increase complexity and cost for investors who will need professional advice to understand the tax they will have to pay on sales of their securities.
• Make it harder to attract patient capital into sectors such as biotech, technology and resources exploration, which have historically relied heavily on retail investor support.

We are particularly concerned about the impact the CGT changes will have on younger Australians who have invested in shares and ETFs in an effort to build wealth and save for their first home.

Stakeholders are being given too short a time to respond to these significant changes to CGT. We call on the government to split the CGT changes from the Bill to allow more time for considered, broad and meaningful consultation with stakeholders on the impact that they will have on Australian investors and capital markets.

By Maria Lykouras, CEO

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