Choosing a financial adviser is not like picking a cafe. Bad coffee ruins a morning. Bad advice can follow you for years.
Check the basics first
Before being impressed by a polished website, check that the adviser is properly licensed or authorised. Look them up on the Financial Advisers Register and confirm their qualifications, work history, and areas of advice.
This is not being picky. This is the bare minimum.
Look for clear communication
A good adviser can explain strategy in normal language. They should be able to tell you what they recommend, why it suits you, what it costs, what could go wrong, and what alternatives exist.
If you need a finance dictionary just to survive the meeting, keep looking.
Make sure they listen first
Good advice starts with your goals, family, income, debts, super, comfort with risk, and future plans. If recommendations arrive before questions, that is a red flag.
The adviser should be curious about your life, not just your balance sheet.
Ask about fit and service
Find out who they normally work with, what advice areas they specialise in, whether they offer one-off or ongoing advice, and how they handle conflicts of interest.
You are not trying to find the loudest adviser. You are trying to find the right adviser.
If you are comparing financial advisers in Melbourne, take your time. A calm first conversation can show you pretty quickly whether the fit feels right.
Why not have a chat to our friendly team? Book a time: https://partnersinplanningaus.setmore.com/book or give us a call on 1300 880 100.