When should you speak with a financial professional?

Professional input can be useful before a decision that is difficult to reverse or that affects several areas of your finances. Examples may include retiring, changing an investment approach, taking on a major loan, selling a business or making arrangements after separation.

Seeking help early creates time to understand options, documents, costs and trade-offs. It may also reveal that more than one professional needs to be involved.

A new job, growing family, inheritance, illness, bereavement or change in a relationship can make an existing plan less relevant. A review can begin by identifying what changed, what must be handled now and what can wait.

For urgent legal, safety, hardship or wellbeing concerns, contact the appropriate specialist or support service directly. A general financial enquiry is not a substitute for crisis assistance.

Sometimes there is no single major event. You may simply have superannuation, lending, insurance, savings and tax questions that have accumulated without a clear order. A structured conversation can help group those questions and identify a sensible sequence.

You can prepare by listing your goals, current providers and the areas you do not understand. Avoid sending passwords, identity documents, account numbers or exact balances through a general enquiry form.

Ask a prospective provider to explain their qualifications, authorisations, scope, fees and any relationships that could influence the service. Where regulated advice is involved, check the relevant official registers and read the disclosures the provider gives you.

AFC helps clarify the kind of support you may need and can facilitate an introduction. The third-party provider is responsible for explaining their service and any advice they provide.