In honour of World Financial Planning Day, we’re shining a light on a profession that transforms lives, not just portfolios. We’re also sharing new insights from the 2025 Value of Advice Index, released last week by the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA), which highlights why trusted financial advice matters now more than ever.
Financial planning is the process of creating and managing a long-term strategy to help you reach your life goals, whether that’s retiring comfortably, buying a home, paying off debt, or simply feeling more in control.
It involves assessing your current situation, setting short- and long-term goals, and developing a strategy to manage your income, expenses, savings, investments and risks. A great plan grows with you – adjusting as life changes, markets move, and priorities shift.
At its core, financial planning is about making the most of what you have, rather than constantly pushing yourself to work harder. A financial adviser helps you optimise, grow, and protect your wealth so you can live life fully and sleep well at night.
Put simply, we love making a meaningful difference in our clients’ lives.
Strong finances, like good health, have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life. We love that our advice helps people sleep soundly at night, get unstuck from debt, and step away from jobs they feel trapped in. We love helping people buy homes, take dream holidays, or retire on their terms.
You don’t have to stay on the hamster wheel. It doesn’t have to be so hard. And that’s what energises us: knowing we’re making a real, lasting difference.
We see the benefits of advice every day at 5 Financial and this year’s 2025 Value of Advice Index backs that up with solid research.
In a year marked by financial and geopolitical uncertainty, the gap in financial confidence and satisfaction between advised and unadvised Australians has widened.
• More than 9 in 10 advised Australians say their adviser helps them remain confident in their financial strategy (even during market volatility).
• Over 8 in 10 believe their adviser’s value increases during uncertain times.
• 95% of advised Australians earning $120,000 or less feel financially secure – busting the myth that advice is only for the wealthy.
• Gen Y clients who receive advice have shown significant increases in financial confidence, satisfaction and quality of life.
• Across every generation, advised Australians report stronger results across every measure of financial wellbeing.
This year’s report also puts to rest a few common myths, particularly the idea that financial advice is only for older Australians or the wealthy. The truth? Advice creates real value for people of all income levels and life stages.
According to the 2025 Index, these are the five biggest benefits clients report:
1. Improved financial wellbeing and peace of mind
2. Help to simplify and explain financial matters
3. Saving time and effort organising finances and making decisions
4. Greater confidence in financial decision-making
5. A trusted partner to navigate life’s financial challenges and opportunities
While the numbers speak volumes, the real value lies in what advice makes possible.
At 5 Financial, we’ve seen clients go from stressed and stuck to empowered and excited about the future. Whether it’s being able to take a long-awaited holiday, support ageing parents, or enter retirement with clarity and confidence: the transformation is real.
It’s about more than money. It’s about freedom, security and peace of mind.
As we celebrate Financial Planning Day, we’re proud to stand behind a profession that helps people live better, more secure lives – not just grow wealth.
In a world that’s constantly shifting, clarity and confidence aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials.
If you’ve ever wondered whether advice could help you feel more in control, now is a great time to explore your options.
Let’s start the conversation. Contact us today on (02) 9739 6555 or easily book a consultation here.
Please note, the above information does not constitute financial advice and does not take into account your current circumstances or goals. Please speak with a Financial Adviser before acting on any information found here or throughout the 5 Financial website.