News & Resources

News & Insights

The latest updates in finance and other topics relevant to you, via the bright minds of our advisers.

June 12, 2025

Retirement in sight? Let’s make sure you’re on track

As a valued client of 5 Financial, we want to remind you: you’re not alone in planning for retirement — we’re right here with you.

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June 12, 2025

Finding life balance: The four pillars of wellbeing

At 5 Financial, we know that life’s not just about reaching goals — it’s about feeling balanced and fulfilled along the way. In the rush of daily life, wellbeing can often be overlooked, but taking care of yourself across four key areas can make a world of difference. That’s where the ‘four pillars of wellbeing’ come in — a practical, empowering way to support your whole self, one small step at a time.

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March 18, 2025

Spotlight on the 5 Finance team

Did you know we have a dedicated in-house Finance service? Our resident broker Matt Collier and the Finance team can help you find the capital needed to fund your big moments in life and/or to grow your business. Here’s how they’ll work with you to achieve your greatest goals…

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March 18, 2025

How to turbocharge your super before 30 June

As EOFY approaches, here are some strategies your adviser might adopt to help you bolster your superannuation.

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February 27, 2025

The generation redefining ageing

As we advance into the 21st century, the concept of ageing is undergoing a transformation, largely thanks to a new generation of “oldies” who don’t feel old - and are reframing what it means to be getting on in years.

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January 16, 2025

2024 – A year in review

The many unpredictable events of 2024 could easily have been disastrous for investment markets. Instead, we saw remarkable resilience and growth despite occasional volatility as investors reacted to the extraordinary times.

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December 18, 2024

Retirees missing out on aged pension after delaying their applications

Recent research suggests many senior Australians are missing out on close to $20,000 by not lodging their aged pension application on time…

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December 18, 2024

Introducing our new Operations Consultant

In this Q&A, we introduce you to Brendon Jones who has recently joined 5 Financial as our new Operations Consultant. Brendon is highly experienced in helping organisations maximise their operations for the best possible client experience. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team and excited to see what his skills and insights can achieve for the business and our clients…

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October 31, 2024

Why ‘timing the market’ doesn’t work

Timing the market is near impossible. Here we explore why and discuss what we believe is a better approach when it comes to successful investing.

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October 31, 2024

5 lifestyle secrets of happy retirees

What habits can you incorporate into your daily routine to promote your happiness in retirement? Here we share five habits that the happiest retirees have in common.

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October 17, 2024

5 Financial X Betashares economic update

Our Head of Advice, Jason Petersen, sits down with David Bassanese, Chairman of the Betashares Investment Committee, to discuss some important updates to investment portfolios...

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September 26, 2024

Build financial confidence in midlife with Gill Witham

Our amazing Financial Adviser Gill was recently featured on the 'Midlife Unravelled' podcast, hosted by Anita Gilbert. In this episode, Gill shares her insights on how to financially thrive in your midlife, covering important topics like superannuation, managing debt and building wealth. You can watch Gill here...

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September 10, 2024

Holidaying off the tourist trail

When we dream of an overseas holiday, our minds often drift to iconic landmarks, bustling cities, and well-trodden tourist paths. While these destinations have their allure, travel to popular destinations is booming and comes with challenges so there are advantages to venturing off the beaten track and seeking out the hidden gems.

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September 10, 2024

How much do you need to retire in a more expensive world?

The cost of funding a comfortable retirement has climbed with the cost of living. So what does this mean for you and how much do you need to have saved to live comfortably in your retired years?

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June 7, 2024

What’s all the noise about loud budgeting?

Loud budgeting is a trend that may have started as a joke but is being embraced by those who want to share their financial goals and priorities and in doing so, also improve their chances of achieving them.

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June 7, 2024

Start the new financial year strong

It’s hard to believe the 24/25 financial year is right around the corner. With just a few weeks to go this financial year, we’ve asked our Tax team to share their tips and insights to help you finish the year smoothly and to set yourself up for success in the new one.

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May 31, 2024

Caught in the middle: help for the sandwich generation

If you're feeling a bit like the meat in the sandwich you are not alone. The ‘sandwich generation’ is a growing social phenomenon that impacts people from all walks of life, describing those at a stage of their lives where they are caring for their offspring as well as their elderly parents.

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May 17, 2024

2024-25 Federal Budget analysis

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has high hopes that his 2024 Federal Budget will rein in inflation earlier than expected, ease cost-of-living pressures and build a stronger economy in the future.

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May 3, 2024

How much do you need to retire?

A new survey reveals Australians frequently overestimate how much they need to have saved to fund a comfortable retirement. So how much do you need exactly and can you retire sooner than you thought? Here we explore those questions and explain how you can be better financially prepared for retirement…

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April 23, 2024

The future of electric vehicles in Australia

Are you considering an electric vehicle (EV) for your next car? We look at some of the benefits and challenges of choosing an EV, and consider the future of electric cars in Australia…

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April 3, 2024

More Australians set to retire in debt

Most of us dream of retiring with our homes fully paid off and enough savings to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Unfortunately, according to research from AMP, this is a dream that’s becoming out of reach for an increasing number of Australians.

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March 6, 2024

Hidden pitfalls: How credit card limits reduce your borrowing capacity for a home loan

When it comes to applying for a home loan, many factors influence how much you can borrow. While you might be diligently saving for a deposit and maintaining a good credit score, there's one often overlooked aspect that can greatly impact your ability to secure a mortgage: your credit card limit. Here’s why…

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March 6, 2024

Empowering women: A guide to financial planning for success

Despite becoming increasingly powerful players in the economy, women continue to face unique challenges that make it harder to achieve the bright financial future they deserve. In this guide, we explore what those challenges are, the opportunities available to women and the ideas to embrace for an empowered financial future…

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February 29, 2024

Your superannuation lifecycle

There are two critical phases in the lifecycle of your superannuation: the Accumulation Phase and the Pension Phase. Understanding these phases can significantly influence your retirement planning and financial security. Here we explain what those phases are and the priorities and benefits of each…

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February 2, 2024

Redesigned Stage 3 tax cuts

The personal income tax cuts due to commence on 1 July 2024 will be amended under a proposal released from the Australian government. Here’s what those changes mean for you…

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January 19, 2024

5 reasons you should work with a financial adviser

Here’s why teaming up with an adviser can be the best decision for your financial wellbeing.

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December 5, 2023

Navigating the First Home Super Saver Scheme: A pathway to your first home in Sydney

The dream of owning a home in beautiful Sydney, with its vibrant lifestyle, strong employment opportunities and nice weather, is a goal for many young Australians. However, living our great city doesn’t come cheap! Here we share how the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) could be your key to entering the Sydney property market.

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December 5, 2023

How to shop more safely online this Christmas

The internet is the place to be when it comes to Christmas shopping for many Australians. It’s convenient, easy and there are some great deals – but online shopping does come with a risk. Don’t let cybercriminals steal your money or personal information this festive season and shop safely with these five tips.

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November 10, 2023

Stay safe from scams

Keep your hard-earned dollars safe and stay vigilant about scams. We’ve put together a list of some types of scams to be on the lookout for.

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November 2, 2023

Aged care challenges in the home

Here we share some information on the government assistance available for those needing care at home.

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September 22, 2023

Betashares wins ETF Provider of the Year

Our preferred fund manager has recently been named ETF Provider of the Year at an industry awards event in Sydney.

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September 19, 2023

Are you paying tax on your super unnecessarily?

The world of tax is complex and confusing to the average person. That’s why it’s so helpful to have a team of experts to guide you in the right financial direction. No one wants to pay more in tax than they must – and that’s what we’re here to help you avoid…

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September 15, 2023

How we keep your financial information secure

Cybersecurity is a critical issue for businesses these days – and for financial service providers like us in particular. Here's what we do to keep your financial information safe...

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September 15, 2023

7 things you need to know about burnout

We live in a busy world, and arguably no one feels this more acutely than those running their own business. If that’s you, here are 7 tips to help you ward off burnout or overcome it if you’re feeling it set in…

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September 15, 2023

How do interest rates affect your investments?

When the first Tuesday rolls around each month, it seems everyone’s waiting with bated breath to hear the RBA’s announcement on whether interest rates will rise, fall or stay the same. But how exactly do interest rates impact your investments?

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August 17, 2023

Sowing the seeds for a happy retirement

The thought of retirement is an enticing one for many of us. Imagine throwing off the shackles of the workforce and being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But why wait until you are retired to do the things you love?

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August 11, 2023

How iron ore plays a big part in our economy

Iron ore has been the backbone of the Australian economy and many investment portfolios for much of the 21st century. Export of the commodity saw Australia evade recession both in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis back in 2008 and the Covid epidemic.

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June 22, 2023

The Avenue

Introducing an exciting collaboration between 5 Finance and The Avenue…

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June 22, 2023

Start your life together on the right financial foot

When you decide to get married, it’s an exciting time! But it can (and often is) an expensive time too. Here are some tips to ensure sure your finances are in good health to serve you well as you begin your new life together.

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June 22, 2023

Who needs a testamentary trust?

The rising cost of living is grabbing all the attention right now as people struggle to pay the increasing prices. But in the meantime, our collective wealth has been growing steadily and is being transferred to the next generation at increasing rates.

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May 23, 2023

Shares vs. the Sydney property market. Who wins?

Our advisers recently compared data on Sydney house prices and share returns for the last 40 years (covering 1 April 1983 to 1 April 2023). The results are interesting. Here's what we found:

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May 10, 2023

Changes to pensions

The 2023 Federal Budget released yesterday contained some important information regarding pensions. Here we break the changes down for you...

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May 10, 2023

2023 Federal Budget review

A surplus for now but stormy seas ahead... Here's our analysis of the 2023 Federal Budget.

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May 9, 2023

HELP debt increase

Do you have HECS debt? There's a big change coming that's important to be aware of.

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March 24, 2023

Trust your gut to boost your health

We explore why the key to good health may be an inside job...

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March 24, 2023

The importance of diversification

Investing in the stock market can be a wild ride. We explain why diversification is such an important part of our investment philosophy.

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February 21, 2023

6 retirement mistakes to avoid

Make sure your retirement years look the way you want them to and avoid these six common mistakes when planning your retirement...

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January 14, 2023

2022 in review

We discuss the major financial events of 2022, the year where inflation dominated the economic landscape, and look at the issues to watch out for over the year ahead.

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January 14, 2023

Busted! Scam myths

We dispel three common scam myths to keep you safe and aware...

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March 17, 2021

Factors considered when identifying the right loan for you

All of our financial advisers are specialists in debt structuring advice, focusing on optimising the use of debt including paying down any non-deductible debt as effectively as possible, in particular the home mortgage.

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May 14, 2020

A new Q&A video with BlackRock

Gill Witham, a senior adviser with 5 Financial, features in a Q&A video with James Waterworth, National iShares Specialist with BlackRock.

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April 14, 2020

Working from home? Info on tax deductions you may be able to claim

With more employees now working from home because of COVID-19 containment measures, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued information on expenses that may be claimable at tax time.

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April 9, 2020

Q&A video with BlackRock

Jason Petersen, our Head of Wealth Management, has recorded a Q&A video with James Waterworth, National iShares Specialist with BlackRock.

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April 3, 2020

COVID-19 - changes to social security

To combat financial pressures arising from COVID-19 containment measures, today we cover some new social security initiatives that have been announced.

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April 1, 2020

COVID-19 – stimulus for small to medium size businesses

The government has announced a range of initiatives to assist small to medium size businesses to deal with the sudden and far-reaching pressures generated by COVID-19.

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March 31, 2020

COVID-19 – implications for personal tax

In news released earlier this week, the government has announced a third stimulus package which includes giving eligible businesses a fortnightly wage subsidy of up to $1,500 per employee.

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March 31, 2020

COVID-19 - changes affecting super

This continues our series on the financial impact of the COVID-19 threat. Today we cover some changes to superannuation recently announced by the government.

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March 30, 2020

COVID-19 - info coming this week & current priorities

In the last week or so, the government has introduced a number of measures designed to combat the impact of COVID-19.

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March 26, 2020

COVID-19 - on investments

Naturally the market turbulence initiated by the COVID-19 threat has been of concern to all investors.

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March 26, 2020

COVID-19 - info roll out

With the unwelcome arrival of COVID-19 and the many financial, economic and social changes it's triggered, keeping in touch with our clients is a priority.

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March 19, 2020

COVID-19 - how we are operating

As I'm sure you're aware, the government and health authorities have announced stronger measures to stem the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

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April 3, 2019

Federal budget 2019 key announcements.

A federal Budget in an election year is subject to a degree of cautious interest. It is expected that the incumbent government will use the Budget to announce the fiscal policy they will take into their re-election campaign.

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February 19, 2019

Why your choice of executor matters.

The job of an executor is to make sure your estate is dealt with in accordance with your wishes. It’s an onerous responsibility – one that can have a huge impact financially and on the state of harmony among those you leave behind.

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February 8, 2019

Franking credits - factoring in a possible change in the landscape

In the topsy-turvy world of Australian politics, it’s hard to predict exactly when the next federal election will be held, let alone the likely outcome.

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May 4, 2018

Our take on the Royal Commission into Banking etc.

With all the ‘noise’ about financial services that’s forever in the media, we're sure you’ve heard us suggest you turn a deaf ear to it.

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February 22, 2018

Be rewarded for healthy choices.

If you look after yourself well – or you need a little push to do so – here's something you might find interesting...

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December 13, 2017

Switzer TV

This week, our Head of Wealth Management was interviewed by Peter Switzer on Switzer TV.

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December 5, 2017

Options for a young couple

Our Head of Wealth Management was recently asked to write for the 'Ask the Experts' section in Money Magazine®.

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November 28, 2017

ESG criteria: thinking more deeply about your investments.

Increasingly we find people are interested in their investments beyond their financial return.

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November 27, 2017

Christmas holiday closure dates

Hi everyone,Just a note to say 5 Financial will close for the Christmas break from Friday 22 December to 1 January (inclusive).

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November 15, 2017

Paperwork - simplified!

For clients of 5 Financial, we’re always on the lookout for ways to help make managing your financial world easier.

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July 29, 2017

Drowning out the noise.

Everyday we are each subjected to a barrage of 'noise' about the state of the market.The ups and downs of different sectors gets daily airplay.

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June 21, 2017

Most Trusted Advisers Network

From its website, "The Most Trusted Adviser Network lists some of the best financial advisers in Australia, as rated by their clients."

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May 15, 2017

Money Mag's 'Ask the Expert'

Our Head of Wealth Management features in May 2017's Money Magazine's 'Ask the Experts' article.

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May 11, 2017

More on the Federal Budget...

Yesterday we posted an article on the likely effects of the Federal Budget from the SMSF perspective. Today we publish a list of the broader areas in which major changes were announced.

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May 10, 2017

SMSF stability an outcome of Federal Budget

With many of our clients having self managed super funds, we've summarised the key points from Treasurer Scott Morrison's 2017/18 Federal Budget from the SMSF perspective.

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March 15, 2017

Money Mag's 'Ask the Experts'.

Once again our Head of Wealth Management has been invited to contribute to Money Magazine's 'Ask the Experts' column, this time in the February 2017 edition.

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January 3, 2017

Goal setting and why your ‘how’ matters as much as your ‘why’

A fresh new year is a good time to set some big goals for yourself. By starting the year with compelling goals, you create a picture in your head of where you want to head and why.

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December 12, 2016

The beauty of investing in index funds

Back in 2007, Warren Buffett – one of the world’s most successful investors – waged a bet that over 10 years, an S&P 500 index fund would outperform ten hedge funds of the taker's choice.

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December 2, 2016

New payment option with Macquarie

This post will be of interest to our clients with Macquarie Cash Management Accounts (CMA).

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November 21, 2016

Q&A with 5 Financial's Founder.

Recently I was interviewed for an upcoming industry publication and thought our clients might be interested.

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November 21, 2016

So you've got your financial plan. What happens next?

As a client of 5 Financial, your adviser has now presented you with your customised financial plan that addresses the key areas of concern you raised in your initial briefing.

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November 13, 2016

The US election & market implications

The surprise election of Donald Trump in last week's presidential election created some market wobbles, and naturally many people have been concerned about the impact on their portfolios.

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October 27, 2016

Aged Pension changes from 1 January.

As 2016 gallops to a close, it may feel like the changes to the Asset Test for the Aged Pension have just been drawn up. These changes were, however, announced in the 2015 Federal Budget.

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October 12, 2016

Feedback from our client survey.

During August/September 2016, 184 of our wealth management clients were invited to take part in a Client Experience Survey by the Beddoes Institute, an independent research firm.

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October 4, 2016

Plan ahead to make the most of your retirement.

Be retirement-ready by staying across the latest changes proposed for Super. (And if you'd like help in interpreting them for your situation, talk to us.)

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September 30, 2016

Life without a crystal ball.

Markets go up. Markets go down. And so it continues.If only we could predict with absolute precision and certainty, when market upturns and downturns would take place.

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September 22, 2016

What's new in Super?

The Government has announced some proposed changes to the superannuation rules it had foreshadowed during the run up to the last Federal election.

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September 19, 2016

Your insurance might cover you for something unexpected.

David* is a client of ours who phoned us earlier this year to ask a question about his investments.In the course of the conversation, he mentioned he’d recently fractured his leg while playing footy with his mates.

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September 8, 2016

Another appearance in 'Ask the Experts'

For the third time since April, our Head of Wealth Management has featured in Money Magazine.In the August 2016 edition, he was asked to contribute to the magazine's 'Ask the Experts' section.

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September 7, 2016

Winners in the Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) industry.

For an increasing number of our clients, a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) offers substantial advantages in helping them plan for their retirement.

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September 5, 2016

Macquarie Life's proposed transfer of policies to Zurich.

Back in May, Macquarie Life announced that it had made the strategic decision to transfer part of its life insurance business to Zurich Australia.

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August 18, 2016

Have your say about how we can improve.

At 5 Financial, one of our most pressing goals is to make sure we keep improving as a financial advisory practice.

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July 29, 2016

Congratulations Drummoyne Water Polo Club!

5 Financial is a proud cap sponsor of local water polo club, the Drummoyne Devils.The club is delighted to have three of its players as members of the Men's National Team for the Rio Olympics

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June 27, 2016

Brexit: what's next?

UK referendum: ‘Leave’ wins the day – what next?

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June 14, 2016

Money Magazine (again).

Once again, our Head of Wealth Management has had his expertise recognised in being asked to contribute an article to Money Magazine.

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June 9, 2016

Let's talk about trust.

Last year, my wife and I sat in on a group discussion at a business building seminar. There were about a dozen other business owners around the table from all types of industries.

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June 6, 2016

Helping you get the finance you need.

As a broker, we can shop around for the right loan for you from Australia's leading lenders.

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May 27, 2016

Biggest Morning Tea a great success!

Today we hosted our 'Big Morning Tea' in support of the Cancer Council. Around 50 people came along and a highlight was hearing a client of ours, Chris Shoji, share her story of surviving cancer, told through her amazing art.

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May 24, 2016

Gain a pre-30th June tax advantage.

With the end of the financial year almost here, now’s the time to be thinking about ways you can organise your finances to gain all possible advantages.

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