We only take on clients where we are confident we can add value that exceeds our costs. There are typically two components to our fees: an initial advice fee and an ongoing service fee. Initial advice fees start from $5,500 and vary depending on the complexity of your situation and strategy. Ongoing fees start from $5,500 per year and are generally around 1% of the funds we manage, with the percentage decreasing as your investment balance grows.
The most important starting point is a genuine willingness to take advice and act on decisions. Beyond that, we look for clients who have assets or equity that can form the foundation of a plan, and a stable financial position to build from. For those building wealth, this typically means mortgage repayments are under control, a reliable income, no significant career breaks planned in the near term, and surplus funds of at least $2,000 per month that we can put to work. If you are unsure whether the timing is right, a conversation with our team is always a good place to start.
No investment other than cash can guarantee returns, and we believe in being straightforward about that. Our investment philosophy is centred on taking enough risk to generate the returns needed to meet your goals and timeframes, while staying within a level of risk you are comfortable with. We manage this through a robust framework that includes effective cash flow management, appropriate cash buffers, investing in the right timeframes, and genuine diversification. As your life changes and goals evolve, we adapt your strategy accordingly, so your plan always reflects where you are headed.
As retirement draws closer, the way we manage your portfolio shifts. The focus moves from accumulating wealth to protecting it and ensuring it can support the life you want. We adjust your asset allocation to reflect your shorter investment timeframe, reduce exposure to more volatile assets where appropriate, and ensure you have sufficient liquidity to meet income needs without being forced to sell at the wrong time. This transition is gradual and personalised, and we review it regularly as your circumstances and retirement timeline become clearer.
Yes, and this is an area where getting the structure right can make a significant difference to how much you keep. Many clients come to us with a meaningful portion of their wealth outside superannuation, often in less liquid assets like investment properties, with complex tax implications attached. We start by understanding the full picture, then develop strategies to progressively move wealth into the most tax-effective structures for retirement, with the goal of maintaining your wealth in your pocket rather than handing more to the ATO than necessary.
Retirement readiness looks different for everyone, and the honest answer is that it depends on the lifestyle you want to maintain. A useful reference point is the retirement standard published quarterly by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, which provides benchmarks for comfortable and modest retirement lifestyles. As a guide, a couple who own their home and retired at 67 in late 2025 would need around $77,375 per year and approximately $730,000 in investment assets for a comfortable retirement, which includes receiving a part age pension. Most of our clients want to retire earlier, spend more freely, and account for larger lump sum expenses like travel, renovations, or vehicle upgrades and leave a legacy for their children, all of which affect the figure required. We help you model your specific situation, so you know exactly where you stand and what adjustments, if any, are needed to get you there on your terms.
This is one of the most common tensions we help clients navigate, and awareness is genuinely one of the most powerful tools available. When you are clear on your goals, your priorities, and realistic timeframes, the right balance becomes much easier to find. We help you get that clarity, then build a practical framework that makes room for all three without sacrificing one entirely for another. The goal is never to defer living, but to make sure the decisions you make today support the future you are working towards.
