The ifa Show

On this episode of The ifa Show, host Mikaela Henschel speaks with Brighter Super senior manager of adviser growth Nicky Leis about the government's proposed new class of adviser and how it could affect the advice gap, super funds and the advisers already in the profession.  Leis spent more than a decade as a financial adviser before joining Brighter Super, where she now works closely with advisers and licensees across the country, giving her a view of the reform from both the practice and super fund side.  Listen as they discuss:  The problem the new class of adviser is meant to solve, and the limits proposed on what it can advise on.  How Brighter Super has structured its advice offer, from education and general guidance through to personal advice and referrals to external advisers.  Leis' response to advisers who worry the reform could be a shortcut around the education requirements.  Why more members engaging with their super could lead to more demand for professional advice, and a new way for people to enter the profession.  Important information from Brighter Super:   This podcast contains general information only and does not take into account any person's objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, consider your own objectives, financial situation and needs and, where appropriate, seek advice from a licensed financial adviser.      Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund.    New Class of Adviser  Information is current as at 24 September 2026. The New Class of Adviser framework discussed in this podcast is proposed and remains subject to legislation and final regulatory settings. Advice services  Brighter Super's financial advisers are employees of Brighter Super, however, they provide financial services as Authorised Representatives of Industry Super Fund Services Limited (IFS) (ABN 54 007 016 195, AFSL 232514). For more information, please see brightersuper.com.au/advice.   Awards  Brighter Super has received the Adviser-Ready Fund Certification from Chant West and the Financial Advice Association Australia and was named Best Fund: Advice Services at the 2026 Chant West Super Fund Awards. For more information, please see brightersuper.com.au/awards.   Research  Brighter Super and Investment Trends 2025 Retirement Income Report. Based on a national survey of 3,679 Australians aged 40 and over, conducted between August and September 2025. For more information, please see 2025-26 State of Retirement report. 

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Mikaela Henschel sits down with TruWealth Advice founder and principal financial adviser Natallia Smith to talk about the emotional side of advice, and why it often matters more than the numbers.  Smith came into advice from psychology, and she works almost entirely with women going through divorce, bereavement and retirement. Many of her clients arrive at a hard time in their lives, and a lot of her work happens before any strategy is discussed, in earning enough trust for someone to open up.  Listen as they discuss:  Why how a client feels matters more than the information you give them.  How stress and grief limit a client's capacity to take in complexity, and why a slower pace works better.  The shame that stops many women from seeking advice, and how to normalise it.  What advisers without a psychology background can apply in their next client meeting.  Why building a practice around one type of client can grow it rather than shrink it. 

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Shy-ann Arkinstall is joined by independent financial adviser Andrew Saikal-Skea to dig into the complexities of being independent under the law and how this translates into his referral frameworks.  Spanning licensing decisions and risk advice, Andrew explains how being independent influences how he chooses the right professionals to partner with as referral arrangements become more challenging and more necessary by operating as independent.  Listen as they discuss:  What it actually means to be independent under the Corps Act. How you can still deliver risk advice without breeching independence.  The potential impact of proposed lead generation reforms.  Why independence is both a spectrum and a hard-line rule.  Click here to submit your nomination for the ifa Excellence Awards 2026. 

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Alex Burke is joined by Marin Wealth financial adviser Hannah Elliot to break down her time as a Professional Year (PY) adviser and her frustrations with the lack of guidance in the process.  Hannah explains why the lack of structure in the Professional Year made it a more stressful process and the impact this is having on smaller practices struggling to retain emerging talent.  Listen as they discuss:   How shadowing advisers is the best experience a PY can get on the job.  Why a lack of structure can lead to PYs being perceived as liabilities for firms.  The importance of financial literacy and how it can be raised through social media. 

In this episode of The ifa Show, host Alex Burke speaks with Kanish Chugh, the head of ETF sales at PIMCO, about how changes to tax regulations and the global market environment in recent years have triggered a move away from the traditional 60/40 portfolio and shifted how advisers are utilising fixed income assets and ETFs.  Kanish explores how advisers should be thinking about fixed income ETFs within their clients' portfolios, as well as diving into the case for active management in a space where investors are leaning more toward passive strategies.  Listen as they discuss:  How the phasing out of bank hybrids is impacting strategies.  The benefit of ETFs for self-managed super funds.  Opportunities for advisers in fixed income ETFs.