Financial Adviser
Paraplanner
Client Services Officer
Client Services Officer
Hayden Bourke is an enthusiastic and fast‑developing Client Services Officer at Smart Start Financial Services, working across both the Smart Start and Investing for Doctors Financial Planning brands. Hayden has also commenced his formal studies to become a Financial Planner, taking the first steps toward building a long-term professional career in the financial advice industry.
A financial planner provides expert advice on the following areas to help individuals achieve their financial goals:
wealth management,
retirement planning,
investments,
tax strategies,
insurance, and
estate planning
No. You can start with one area, like insurance or super, and expand later if you’d like. Many clients begin by moving their insurance policies to us so we can manage them with care and provide ongoing support.
This is someone who has an insurance or income protection policy but hasn’t reviewed it for years. We often see this with doctors and professionals who took out cover long ago but haven’t updated it since. We help bring these policies “back to life” by ensuring they’re still relevant and cost-effective.
Fees vary based on services and complexity. We charge fixed fee for service which are always disclosed upfront. Our initial no obligation meeting is an opportunity to better understand your needs and allow us to prepare a fees estimate for consideration.
We do not charge percentage asset managed fees for the following reason:
Potential Conflict of Interest – Planners may be incentivized to recommend investment strategies that increase assets under management rather than what is best for the client, such as paying down debt or purchasing property.
Unfair Costs for Minimal Effort – As investments grow over time, fees increase, even if the planner provides the same level of service. Clients may end up overpaying for limited ongoing advice.
Lack of Transparency – A percentage-based fee can be harder to quantify upfront, making it difficult for clients to assess the true cost of financial advice.
Discourages Diversified Strategies – Since the fee is based on managed assets, planners might not recommend alternative wealth-building strategies such as real estate or direct business investments, which wouldn’t contribute to their fee.
Better Alignment with Client Needs – A flat fee or hourly rate ensures clients pay for the service they receive, promoting unbiased advice and financial strategies that align with their goals rather than the planner’s income.
By opting for fixed or transparent fee structures, we can provide more ethical, objective, and client-focused advice.
If you want clarity, confidence, and structure around your finances, a financial planner can help. We’re especially valuable if you:
Feel unsure about your financial future
Have insurance, super, or investments you haven’t reviewed in years
Want a clear retirement plan
Need guidance on protecting your family and assets
The terms financial adviser and financial planner are often used interchangeably in Australia, but there are some subtle differences in practice and perception. The term financial planner is the preferred term by the FAAA.
Historically, financial adviser is the legally recognised term under Australian law and the Corporations Act. All individuals who provide personal financial advice to retail clients must be registered on ASIC’s Financial Adviser Register.
At IFD Financial Planning, we see ourselves as both. We meet the legal and technical requirements of financial advisers, but we go further by acting as true financial planners — taking the time to understand your whole financial picture and helping you plan for today, tomorrow, and beyond.
All financial planners in Australia must:
Meet ASIC requirements
Hold an approved degree (or equivalent)
We operate as a collective of business partnerships centered on delivering the best possible services to our community of medical and dental professionals.
The group is headed by Dr Mian Bi who is the creator of the Investing For Doctors community and our team has been carefully crafted and vetted to ensure that you are looked after with the care and dedication you deserve.
IFD Financial Planning Pty Limited, ABN 84 681 960 225 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (Number 001313007)
of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 23 065 921 735 (AFSL Number 229892).
The purpose of this website is to provide general information only and the contents of this website do not purport to provide personal financial advice. Investing for Doctors Financial Planning strongly recommends that investors consult a financial adviser prior to making any investment decision. The contents of the Investing for Doctors Financial Planning website does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person and should not be used as the basis for making any financial or other decisions. The information is selective and may not be complete or accurate for your particular purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to invest in any particular product, investment or security. The information provided on this website is given in good faith and is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation. You should obtain a copy of the PDS relating to the product and consider it before making any decision to acquire the product.