Salaries persistently pushing higher; is this simple supply or other broader factors at play?
Recruit 2 Advice | Financial Planning & AFSL Market Update | 2026
Dugald Braithwaite, Director R2A
Financial planning salaries are still moving higher in 2026, but it is not just a talent shortage story. Senior Adviser packages are now averaging around **$170,000–$180,000**, up from **$155,000–$165,000** year-on-year, while support salaries are also firming across paraplanning and client services.
At the same time, broader Australian conditions are keeping pressure on remuneration expectations: annual CPI was **3.7%** to February 2026, **housing inflation was 7.2%**, annual wage growth was **3.4%** to December 2025, and household living costs rose between **2.3% and 4.2%** depending on household type. ([Australian Bureau of Statistics][1])
Market Repricing Advisers
The market appears to be repricing advice capability more broadly. Experienced Advisers remain scarce, but salary pressure is also being driven by cost-of-living pressure, higher wage expectations across the economy, and the need for cleaner operating models inside AFSL businesses.
Education may be contributing as well: from 1 January 2026, maximum student contribution amounts for law, accounting, economics, commerce and related fields are **$17,399 per EFTSL**, and the HELP repayment threshold for 2025–26 is **$67,000**. That makes early-career earnings, support and progression more important for the next generation entering advice. ([Study Assist][2])
“Salary pressure is real, although the deeper issue is that the AFSL market is repricing capability, support and stability.
Recommendation
Practice owners should not treat this as a salary issue alone. The stronger response is to improve the full employment proposition: better support staff, clearer separation of duties, stronger career pathways, and a more credible long-term value proposition for Advisers.
In this market, firms that combine fair remuneration with better structure are more likely to attract and retain quality talent than firms relying on salary alone.
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