Financial Advisors Cost in Melbourne (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Melbourne, financial advice is usually charged either as a fixed initial advice fee, an hourly consulting fee, or an ongoing annual service fee. A realistic market estimate is roughly AUD 250-600 per hour, AUD 2,500-5,500 for a standalone Statement of Advice or initial plan, and about AUD 3,000-8,000+ per year for ongoing advice, although complex wealth, business or retirement planning can cost more.
Overview
For Melbourne clients, the cost of using a financial adviser depends heavily on the type of advice you need: a one-off strategy session is much cheaper than comprehensive retirement, superannuation, investment or business-structuring advice. In Australia, advisers must give a Financial Services Guide and a fee disclosure that explains how they are paid, and many firms now use fixed-fee pricing rather than commissions for personal advice. In practice, Melbourne pricing tends to sit within broader Australian metro-market norms, with inner-city and specialist firms often charging toward the upper end. You may see fees quoted hourly for limited advice, as a flat project fee for preparing a financial plan, or as an annual retainer for ongoing portfolio reviews and implementation support. Product commissions are tightly restricted for most personal advice areas, so direct client-paid fees are common. Consumers should also check whether implementation costs, portfolio administration, brokerage, and platform fees are separate from the adviser’s own charge. ASIC’s consumer guidance confirms that advice can be charged as a set fee, hourly rate, ongoing fee, or in some cases a commission arrangement, so comparing fee models is just as important as comparing headline price.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly financial advice session(per hour) Estimated range based on typical Australian metro-market rates for personal financial advisers and planners, applied to Melbourne business-service pricing. | ~A$250 – A$600 | Estimated range |
| Initial financial plan / Statement of Advice(per package) Estimated range based on common market pricing for comprehensive personal advice packages in major Australian cities including superannuation, retirement, cashflow and investment recommendations. | ~A$2,500 – A$5,500 | Estimated range |
| Ongoing annual advice service(per year) Estimated range based on typical annual review, access and portfolio-monitoring arrangements charged by Australian advice practices; complex or high-net-worth clients may pay more. | ~A$3,000 – A$8,000 | Estimated range |
| ASIC MoneySmart guide to cost of advice ASIC confirms advisers may charge a set fee, an hourly rate, an ongoing fee, or in some cases commissions, but this page does not publish a fixed national price table. | Not yet verified | Awaiting verified source |
What’s Typically Included
- Initial discovery meeting
- Fact find and goals assessment
- Strategy recommendations
- Written advice document where applicable
- Implementation support if included in the quoted fee
- Annual review meetings for ongoing service packages
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A single consultation may last 60-90 minutes, while comprehensive advice can take several weeks from fact find to written recommendations and implementation.
How Fees Work
Typical structures in Melbourne are hourly fees, fixed project fees for initial advice, and annual ongoing service fees. ASIC states advisers may charge a set fee, an hourly rate, an ongoing fee, or in some cases receive commissions depending on the product and advice context.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether you need one-off limited advice or a full financial plan
- Complexity of your situation, such as SMSFs, business ownership, tax structuring or retirement modelling
- Whether implementation, product setup, brokerage and platform fees are included or charged separately
- Experience and specialisation of the adviser or practice
- Whether you want ongoing annual reviews and portfolio management support
Local Context
In Melbourne, adviser fees are generally quoted in Australian dollars and usually include GST where the service is taxable, though quotes should state this clearly. There is no tipping culture for professional advice services in Australia. CBD and specialist boutique firms may charge more than suburban practices, especially for retirement, SMSF or business-owner advice.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in Australian dollars (AUD).
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- ASIC MoneySmart - Financial advice costs · government
Confirms common financial advice fee structures in Australia including set fees, hourly rates, ongoing fees and some commissions.
- ASIC - Financial advisers register · government
Official register and regulatory oversight context for financial advisers in Australia.
- Financial Advice Association Australia · industry
Industry body for financial advisers; useful for professional standards context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a financial adviser cost in Melbourne for a one-off plan?+
A realistic estimate is about AUD 2,500-5,500 for a comprehensive one-off advice package, with simple cases sometimes lower and complex wealth or retirement strategies higher.
Do Melbourne financial advisers charge by the hour?+
Many do for limited or strategic advice. A reasonable estimate is around AUD 250-600 per hour, depending on seniority and complexity.
Are ongoing fees separate from the initial advice fee?+
Usually yes. An adviser may charge an upfront fee for the plan, then a separate annual fee if you want reviews, access and ongoing portfolio or strategy support.
Who regulates financial advisers in Australia?+
ASIC is the key regulator for financial services and advice. Consumers can also use the Financial Advisers Register to check an adviser’s authorisations and status.
Do adviser fees include investment platform or product costs?+
Not always. Platform fees, fund management costs, brokerage and insurance premiums can sit on top of the adviser’s own fee, so ask for a full cost breakdown.
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Check current prices at the official source
ASIC MoneySmart
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