How to Become A Financial Advisor
2 Courses
A financial advisor is a money expert who helps people plan for their future. They work with clients to set financial goals, build investment plans, and sort out insurance, superannuation, and retirement savings.
Each day is different. You might meet clients to review their financial progress or analyse investment options. You might also help someone plan how to save for a home or fund their retirement. Financial advisors listen carefully, crunch the numbers, and explain their ideas in plain language.
In Australia, the path into financial advising is clearly mapped out. You need an approved bachelor’s degree and a pass on the ASIC Financial Adviser Exam. You also need a professional year of hands-on work experience. These steps ensure every registered advisor meets a high professional standard.
It is a career that mixes analytical thinking with real human connection. If you enjoy helping people make life-changing financial decisions, this is a rewarding and well-paid career path in Australia.
Career Outlook for Financial Advisor
The outlook for financial advisors in Australia is positive. Around 24,000 people currently work in this role, and future demand is rated as moderate by Your Career (2025). An ageing population and growing awareness of financial planning are driving steady demand for qualified advisors.
Most advisors work full-time, averaging 44 hours per week (Your Career, 2025). Median weekly earnings are $2,320, or about $121,000 a year. The median age in the field is 43, and women make up 33% of the workforce. Entry-level advisors can expect to earn around $65,000 to $80,000 a year, with senior roles reaching $160,000 or more.
Recent reforms to Australia’s financial advice standards have raised the bar for entry. This means the profession is becoming more respected and better paid over time. Those who invest in their education and build strong client ties will find financial advising stable and rewarding. It is a career with real long-term potential.
About the author
Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.
