Adviser exam graduates boost FAR numbers

Numbers on the Financial Adviser Register have been boosted to the tune of 24 new advisers as a result of the latest financial adviser exam, according to the latest analysis from WealthData.

The exam-generated uptick saw adviser numbers grow back to 15,600 this week, after having been relatively moribund over the past month.

WealthData principal, Colin Williams noted that a total of 177 candidates had passed the latest exam which was down from the 225 who passed the November 2024 sitting.

He also noted the growing number of people who have passed the exam but are not practicing, with 20,237 people having passed but only 15,552 actively practicing, leaving a gap of 4,685 people compared to 3,955 in March, last year.

Key Adviser Movements For This Period

• Net change of advisers +24
• Current number of advisers at 15,600
• Net Change Calendar 2025 YTD +124
• Net Change Financial YTD +257
• 40 Licensee Owners had net gains of 47 advisers
• 17 Licensee Owners had net losses for (-27) advisers
• Zero new licensees and two ceased
• 21 New entrants
• Number of advisers active in this period, appointed / resigned: 96.

Growth – Licensee Owners

• Together Trustees, up by three advisers, one new entrant and picking up one adviser each from Interprac owned by Sequoia and Akumin Financial Planning formerly known as AMP Financial Planning.
• Entireti & Akumin Group also up by net three advisers. A busy week with a lot of movement including; Picked up one new entrant and also an adviser coming back after a break of several years. Also picked up three advisers from RI Advice owned by Rhombus.
• Three licensee owners up by net two:
  • Templestone picking up one adviser each from Viridian and Bridges, owned by Insignia
  • Rhombus picking up three advisers, one each from Interprac and Capstone and another coming back after a break of several months, and losing one adviser who is yet to be appointed elsewhere.
  • PSK Group with two advisers who are still currently authorised with Charter Financial Planning, owned by Entireti & Akumin Group.
• A very long tail of 33 licensee owners up by net one including Shaw and Partners, Sequoia and Findex.

Losses – Licensee Owners

• Viola Group down by seven. All advisers are at Pitcher Partners Sydney Private Wealth. The advisers were authorised at Pitcher Partners back in February this year.
• Count Limited down by three advisers, appointing one new entrant and losing four advisers. Of the four advisers leaving, only one has been appointed at Advice Evolution, the other three yet to be appointed.
• Capstone down by two, one joining RI Advice of Rhombus and one yet to be appointed elsewhere
• A small licensee Grow Your Wealth also down by two and moving to zero advisers. Both advisers have not been appointed elsewhere.
• A tail of 13 licensee owners down by net one each including; Insignia, Canaccord Group and AIA Company.