Aware Super credits system upgrade for adviser-ready status

Binaya Dahal

Journalist

10 April 2026

Aware Super has said the decision to invest in infrastructure and advice offerings across its membership base resulted in its “Adviser-Ready Fund” designation, after the firm became one of only three profit-to-member funds to receive the acclaim.

The 1.2-million-members-strong fund secured the recognition last week when the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and research house Chant West jointly launched a new accreditation framework to determine the effectiveness of superannuation fund capabilities in supporting the delivery of financial advice for clients and members.

In the framework, evaluators measured funds against 24 criteria to enhance collaboration with independent financial advisers and ensured they met at least 16 benchmarks for data access, transaction capability, fee deductions, and adviser support.

Aware Super’s Executive for Member Growth, Steve Travis, said central to its accreditation were upgrades to the fund’s adviser portal, including direct data feeds into Xplan, digital client authorisations, and expanded transaction functionality.

“The Adviser Ready Fund accreditation recognises the practical investments we’ve made to support independent financial advisers – from improving digital access and transaction capability through to providing dedicated adviser support,” he said.

Furthermore, it has also built a “layered advice model”, offering digital tools and calculators for basic decision-making, escalating to personal and retirement-focused advice as members’ needs become more complex.

The accreditation comes at a time when the Aware Super also holds “Epic Retirement Tick” it received from the Epic Retirement Institute in May last year, making it one of only two profit-to-member funds to carry both credentials.

“When combined with the Epic Retirement Tick, it reflects our focus on meeting members where they are in their advice journey, whether they’re looking for straightforward guidance or more comprehensive retirement advice, and supporting advisers to deliver that advice efficiently,” Travis said.

The fund said the recognition has further boosted its objective of strengthening alignment between the superannuation and financial advice sectors and helping to improve access to professional advice and better retirement outcomes for Australians.