In Australia, the two titles are treated the same way by law. Both are restricted, and only people on ASIC's Financial Advisers Register can use them.

Reviewed 31/10/2026. General information only, not personal advice.

Same title, same rules

Many people search for a "financial planner" and a "financial adviser" as if they were different jobs. In Australia, they're legally the same.

Under the Corporations Act, the terms "financial adviser" and "financial planner" (and similar terms) are restricted. Only a person registered as a relevant provider on ASIC's Financial Advisers Register, authorised to give personal advice on relevant financial products to retail clients, can call themselves either.

So the difference is mostly about the words people prefer:

• "Financial planner" often suggests a broader plan covering super, investments, insurance, retirement and estate planning.
• "Financial adviser" is the term used in the law and by ASIC.

What matters is not the title but what the person is authorised to advise on, and how they work with you.

What every registered adviser must meet

• Education: an approved degree or qualification
• Exam: a pass in the financial adviser exam
• Professional year: supervised experience for new entrants
• Ongoing training: yearly continuing professional development
• Code of Ethics: including acting in your best interests
• Licensing: authorisation by an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensee, which is responsible for the advice

What to check before you choose

• They're on the Financial Advisers Register: ASIC's register, through Moneysmart
• Who their licensee is: The register and their Financial Services Guide (FSG)
• What they can advise on: Their FSG and adviser profile
• How they're paid: Their FSG, and the fee agreement before you go ahead
• Whether they're independent: Their FSG states whether they are, and why if not

Straight Path Financial Planning provides advice as a Corporate Authorised Representative of Orion Wealth Pty Ltd, AFSL 568305. Our Financial Services Guide sets out the services we provide and how we're paid.

Weigh it up for your own situation

This page explains how the options generally compare. Which one suits you depends on your goals, balance, health, family and the rest of your finances. Book a free initial discussion or call 07 3733 1731. Meet face to face in Eight Mile Plains, or online anywhere in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Is it adviser or advisor?

Both spellings are used, but Australian law and ASIC use "financial adviser". You'll often see "advisor" in American material.

How do I check a financial adviser?

Search their name on ASIC's Financial Advisers Register, available through Moneysmart. It shows their qualifications, the licensee that authorises them, what they can advise on, and any bans or conditions.

What qualifications does a financial adviser need?

New advisers must hold an approved degree, pass the financial adviser exam and complete a professional year. All relevant providers must also meet ongoing professional development requirements and follow the Code of Ethics.

Related reading

• Financial planner in Brisbane
• What does a financial adviser cost?
• Adviser vs accountant vs mortgage broker