The Real Value of Financial Advice in 2026
Financial Advice Is About More Than Money
When most people think about financial advice, they think about investments, superannuation and retirement planning.
While those things remain important, new research from Russell Investments shows that Australians increasingly value something else just as highly: confidence.
In today’s world of rising living costs, market uncertainty, changing tax rules and competing family priorities, many people are asking a simple question:
“Are we going to be okay?”
The latest Russell Investments Value of an Adviser research found that confidence in achieving long-term financial goals doubled after receiving professional financial advice, increasing from 41% before advice to 83% after advice.
Why Australians Seek Financial Advice Has Changed
Traditionally, retirement planning was the primary reason people sought advice.
In 2026, that changed.
For the first time, reassurance about financial security became the leading reason clients seek advice, ahead of retirement planning. Australians are looking for guidance during major life decisions such as:
- Transitioning to retirement
- Supporting children financially
- Caring for ageing parents
- Managing inheritances
- Navigating relationship changes
- Making tax-effective decisions
- Balancing competing financial goals
Financial advice is increasingly about helping people make confident decisions, not just managing investments.
What Clients Value Most
The research found that clients place the greatest value on advisers who can provide:
Expertise
The strongest driver of client satisfaction is an adviser’s technical and emotional expertise.
Clients value advisers who can combine knowledge of:
- Superannuation
- Investments
- Retirement planning
- Tax strategies
- Aged care
- Estate planning
- Centrelink
with the judgement needed to apply those strategies to real-life situations. Expertise was rated as the single most important factor influencing client satisfaction in the 2026 research.
Trusted Relationships
Trust remains the most important attribute clients look for in a financial adviser.
Advice is built on long-term relationships, and the research found:
- 76% of advisers report client relationships lasting more than 10 years
- 67% of clients speak with their adviser three or more times per year
- Financial advice achieved a Net Promoter Score of +45, comparable with many of Australia’s most trusted consumer brands
These findings demonstrate that advice is not a one-off transaction. It is an ongoing partnership.
Guidance Through Important Decisions
Many of the most valuable financial decisions cannot be measured in percentages or investment returns.
Should you:
- Help your children into the property market?
- Pay down debt or invest?
- Retire earlier or continue working?
- Support ageing parents?
- Draw down super or preserve it longer?
One of the most important roles of a financial adviser is helping you understand the trade-offs and make informed decisions that align with your goals and values.
The Value You Can Measure
For almost a decade, Russell Investments has measured the financial value advisers add through its Value of an Adviser framework.
The research estimates that professional financial advice can add at least 5.5% per annum in value through:
A | Appropriate Asset Allocation (1.5%)
Ensuring your investments are aligned with your goals, timeframes and tolerance for risk.
B | Behavioural Coaching (2.8%)
Helping you stay disciplined during market volatility and avoid emotional investment decisions that can damage long-term outcomes. Behavioural coaching remains one of the largest contributors to long-term client outcomes.
C | Choices and Trade-Offs
Helping you navigate life’s complex financial decisions and competing priorities. This value is highly personal and different for every client.
E | Expertise
Providing technical and emotional expertise developed through years of education, experience and real-world problem solving. The 2026 research identified expertise as the strongest contributor to client satisfaction.
T | Tax-Savvy Planning (1.2%)
Using tax-effective strategies across superannuation, investments and retirement planning to improve long-term outcomes.
The Benefits Extend Beyond Investment Returns
The research found advisers increasingly define their value through outcomes such as:
- Peace of mind
- Reduced financial stress
- Greater confidence
- Better decision making
- Improved financial control
- Ongoing reassurance during uncertain times
In fact, advisers were nearly ten times more likely to say their primary role is managing client relationships than selecting investments.
That reflects what many clients tell us at Priority1.
The greatest value often comes from having someone in your corner who understands your situation, helps you avoid costly mistakes and gives you confidence that you’re making informed decisions.
Why Professional Advice Still Matters in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly common in financial services.
However, the research found that technology is not reducing demand for advice.
In fact, 26% of non-advised Australians said AI makes them more likely to seek professional financial advice.
While technology can provide information, it cannot replace:
- Personal judgement
- Understanding family dynamics
- Navigating major life events
- Emotional support during difficult decisions
- Tailored strategic advice
The future of advice is likely to combine the best of technology with the human expertise and trusted relationships that clients value most.
How Priority1 Helps
At Priority1 Wealth Management Group, we believe financial advice should deliver more than investment performance.
Our goal is to help you:
- Clarify your goals
- Make informed financial decisions
- Reduce financial stress
- Navigate life’s major transitions
- Structure your affairs tax effectively
- Build confidence in your financial future
Most importantly, we aim to provide the reassurance that comes from knowing you have a trusted adviser helping guide you through every stage of life.
Because great advice is not just about growing wealth.
It’s about helping you feel confident about where you’re heading and knowing you’re on the right path.
Value added relative to Cost of Advice
– Full Advice Case Studies
Value added relative to Cost of Advice
– Limited Advice Case Studies only
What are the costs of Financial Advice?
In addition to the financial value of advice, there is an emotional value provided from the peace of mind associated with a structured and stable plan, as outlined above.
The cost of delivering advice ranges depending on the complexity of advice required. These costs can be paid either via upfront payment or through a fee based on assets under advice or a flat dollar fee.
Advice obtained through self help (education) and call centres can be relatively cheap. More complex matters need to be dealt with through a face to face meeting. Value can be provided through a single review although the most comprehensive advice is provided through a continuous service with frequent reviews. This holistic advice requires a personal relationship with a financial planner and advice which takes into account all aspects of a client’s personal circumstances.
The cost of this advice varies depending on individual’s personal situation. Advisers are always upfront with fees and charges and will discuss these prior to any advice being given.
The table below shows the difference in cost and complexity of various pieces of advice.
Summary
Financial Advice is valuable and more Australian’s should receive it. Surveys have indicated that 9 out of 10 Australian’s benefited from the experience of using a financial planner.
While there is a cost associated with providing advice, the rewards of following the plan provided by the adviser, far outweigh the costs.
For more information or to arrange a meeting please call Priority1 Wealth Management Group (Australia) Pty Ltd on (03) 9725 9078 or Contact Us to discuss.