Essential Planner is a comprehensive financial planning business dedicated to its clients and part of the wider Essential Financial Group of Companies, comprising Financial Planning, Accounting, Mortgage Broking and Property Services.

We have been operating for more than 17 years and specialise in Superannuation, Retirement Planning, Wealth Creation, Personal Insurance and Self-Managed Superannuation Funds. Because of our client-focused business model, we have experienced strong growth and are looking to expand our in-house team.

Our offices are located on Scarborough Street in Southport, close to dining, parking and shopping facilities.

We have developed a Structured Adviser Pathway, similar to a traineeship, through which we are building the financial advisers of the future.

We are seeking people who genuinely want to build a long-term career in financial planning. Our pathway begins in client services, progresses into paraplanning and then moves into an Associate and Professional Year role, subject to demonstrated capability and the applicable qualification, exam, AFSL and regulatory requirements.

We care about your career as much as you do. We believe that combining formal study with practical experience, structured development and direct exposure to an experienced adviser will give you the skills and knowledge needed to grow with us for the long term.

The Role/s

- Financial Planning Graduate position

- Full-time or part-time employment available, including arrangements around final-year university studies

- Structured Adviser Pathway
- Year 1 – Client Services

- Year 2 – Paraplanning

- Year 3 – Associate and Professional Year, subject to eligibility, performance and regulatory requirements

- Following successful completion of the pathway – progression towards becoming a qualified and ASIC-registered Financial Adviser authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licence

- Progression is competency-based and depends on demonstrated accuracy, technical knowledge, conduct, reliability and readiness for each stage

- All full-time positions operate on a four-day work week—36 paid hours from Monday to Thursday. That’s a long weekend forever!

Financial Planning Graduate duties:

- Working directly with the financial planning team

- Learning the complete advice process from initial client enquiry through to implementation and ongoing service

- Assisting with superannuation account applications

- Assisting with insurance applications

- Assisting with the preparation of compliant Statements of Advice and Records of Advice under supervision

- Learning paraplanning using Intelliflo, Paradino and CRM/AI software

- Researching model portfolios

- Conducting research for investment, superannuation and insurance recommendations

- Assisting with advice implementation

- Maintaining accurate client records,



workflows and supporting documentation

- Progressively taking on more advanced responsibilities as skills and experience develop

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

- Graduate or final-year student in Financial Planning, or completing an approved bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification that meets the current financial adviser education standard
- A genuine intention to complete the Financial Adviser Exam and Professional Year
- A strong interest in financial planning and helping clients achieve their goals

- Good foundational technical knowledge

- Strong academic results will be highly regarded

- Strong numeracy and analytical ability

- Excellent problem-solving skills

- High level of computer literacy

- Confidence using Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word and Excel

- Ability to learn new systems and technology quickly

- Ability to multitask without losing accuracy

- Coachable and willing to accept feedback

- You want to be part of the new generation of financial advisers

Client Services Officer duties:

- Handling client calls and emails and responding in a timely and skilled manner

- Maintaining the incoming and outgoing mail register

- Preparing and lodging applications and submissions for new business

- Liaising with internal team members and colleagues to resolve problems and find solutions

- Creating and maintaining accurate electronic client files

- Liaising with financial institutions on behalf of clients

- Maintaining client workflows and implementation timelines

- Managing file notes, opportunities and tasks within our CRM/AI software

- Ensuring all client data entry is complete and accurate

- Gathering and updating client information, including Fact Finds

- Maintaining compliance folders, ongoing fee consent records and other required documentation

- Following client-authority, privacy, document-execution and compliance procedures precisely

- Ensuring no application, fee form or other client document is submitted without the required client authority and internal approval

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

- Confidence using Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word and Excel

- High level of computer literacy

- Exceptional attention to detail

- Friendly, intelligent and caring

- Exceptional spoken and written English

- Strong time-management and organisational skills

- Diligent, accountable and reliable

- Able to work independently while following documented processes





- Comfortable asking questions when instructions or client authority are unclear
- A desire to help people and be rewarded for helping

- Willingness to master the client-services role before progressing into paraplanning

Paraplanner duties:

- Assisting with the preparation of compliant Statements of Advice and Records of Advice

- Researching model portfolios using Paradino, Intelliflo and CRM/AI software

- Preparing documentation for client meetings

- Liaising with financial institutions on behalf of clients

- Ensuring client information is complete, current and accurate

- Assisting with the development of financial strategies

- Conducting product and strategy research

- Preparing advice implementation documentation

- Working closely with the senior adviser

- Maintaining accurate research, strategy and compliance records

Associate / Professional Year duties:

- Participating in initial consultations and Discovery Sessions

- Assisting with the development of financial strategies

- Working closely with the senior adviser and Professional Year supervisor

- Conducting supervised Statement of Advice and Record of Advice presentations when appropriately qualified, authorised and permitted under the Professional Year requirements

- Assisting with and progressively conducting annual reviews

- Maintaining strong client relationships

- Completing structured training and supervised work activities

- Complying with all AFSL policies, Professional Year requirements, advice procedures and regulatory obligations

- Progressively developing the skills required to provide personal financial advice

Salaries are dependent on experience, pathway stage and demonstrated skills, ranging from $65,000 to $90,000+ per annum plus superannuation.

For those who successfully complete the pathway and progress into a fully qualified Financial Adviser role, long-term performance-based earning potential is uncapped, with the potential for high-performing advisers to earn $250,000+.

We are flexible about part-time arrangements for the right candidate, including employment around university commitments.

Full-time employees work 36 paid hours across Monday to Thursday, with Fridays off!

If you want to join a great business that isn’t going to chain you to your desk and watch the clock as you work, pop us your resume via the Apply Button with a cover letter that includes the role (or roles) you think would suit you as ALL DIRECT EMAILS WILL NOT GET A JOB because reading this is part of the application process. We will only be contacting the shortlisted applicants.

We are looking for fantastic people that are great at their jobs and want a long-term work/life balance! We want people that care about their jobs and want the responsibility that goes with it. Everybody here loves their jobs, and we know you will also.

📌 Financial Planning Graduate Position (Southport)
🏢 Essential Planner Pty
📍 Southport