Hartley Financial and Tax & Wealth have joined AGS Financial Group
Hartley Financial and Tax & Wealth joined AGS Financial Group in September 2026. The same advisers, brokers and accountants continue, now backed by a larger, integrated team.
News & Resources
Expert commentary, market updates and plain-English guides on financial planning, superannuation, tax, property and more, from the AGS team.
Latest articles
How account-based pensions work in Australia
An account-based pension turns your super into a regular retirement income. How the minimum drawdown rates work, why the payments are tax-free from 60, the $2.1 million transfer balance cap, and what makes the balance last.
Important Tax Dates & Obligations Q2 – FY 2027
Key tax lodgement dates and obligations for Q2 FY 2027 (October – December 2026). Deadlines for BAS, PAYG instalments, income tax returns and payday super.
Important Tax Dates & Obligations Q3 – FY 2027
Key tax lodgement dates and obligations for Q3 FY 2027 (January – March 2027). Deadlines for BAS, PAYG instalments and payday super.
Important Tax Dates Q4 – FY 2027
Stay up to date with key tax lodgement dates and obligations for Q4 FY 2027 (April – June 2027), including BAS, year-end super and end-of-year deadlines.
Quarterly economic update: July - September 2026
The Iran-US ceasefire collapsed in July, pushing energy prices, bond yields and the RBA cash rate higher. Here's what happened across markets in the September 2026 quarter, and what it means for your portfolio.
Transferring a UK pension to Australia: QROPS, tax and what to weigh first
How a UK pension moves to Australia through a QROPS, when the 25% UK transfer charge is switched off, how the Australian tax works, and why the decision is one to get specialist advice on before you act.
Overseas pensions and Australian tax: what changes when you retire here
A UK pension, a US 401(k), a Canadian RRSP or a KiwiSaver account is taxed differently once you live in Australia. Here is what changes, and why the complexity is a reason to plan early rather than put it off.
The ASFA Retirement Standard: how much you actually need to retire
The ASFA Retirement Standard puts a dollar figure on a comfortable and a modest retirement. Here are the current numbers, what sits behind them, and how to read them for your own plan.
Buying vs leasing business assets: the real trade-off
Buying an asset builds equity but ties up cash. Leasing protects cash flow but you own nothing at the end. Here is how the tax, cash-flow and ownership sides actually compare for an Australian business.
Investing your super for growth: before and during retirement
The investment option your super sits in does more to shape your final balance than almost any other choice. Here is how growth assets work over a career, and why the right mix changes as retirement approaches.
Latest RBA Interest Rate Announcement and History
View our full summary and access the RBA statement.
Accessing your super: preservation age, conditions of release and withdrawal rules
When can you get to your super, and how much can you take? A plain guide to preservation age, conditions of release, transition to retirement and the tax on withdrawals.
New business finances: getting the accounting basics right
Starting a business in Australia means getting a handful of financial foundations right early. Structure, registrations, bookkeeping and tax provisioning, explained for a new owner.
Should you downsize your home for retirement?
Selling the family home can free up capital and top up your super through the downsizer contribution. Here's what downsizing really frees up, the costs that eat into it, and the Age Pension catch.
Your Super Fund's Free Advice: What It Covers and What It Doesn't
Most large super funds give members advice at no extra cost, and a lot of it is very good. It's also bounded, for reasons that have nothing to do with quality. Here's where the line sits, how to tell which side of it your question falls on, and what the proposed advice reforms would change.
Planning for healthspan, not just lifespan
Australians are living longer, but not all of those extra years are healthy ones. Here's why retirement plans built only around life expectancy miss the years that matter most financially.
SMSF vs industry super fund: which suits you?
An SMSF and an industry fund both hold your superannuation, but the control, cost and workload involved are completely different. Here's how to work out which structure actually fits your situation.
Super health check: the 6 things worth reviewing every year
Most people set their super up once and never look at it again. A short annual review of fees, insurance, investment option and consolidation can be worth tens of thousands of dollars by retirement.
We're upgrading our document signing platform to Annature
AGS Financial Group is moving from DocuSign to Annature for electronic document signing. The process stays the same for you, just through a new platform, and we'll guide you through any differences as they come up.
Aged Care Financial Advice: Fees, the Family Home and What Changed in 2025
Aged care fees now run on two different systems depending on entry date. Here's what the basic daily fee, hotelling contribution and non-clinical care contribution cost, how the family home is assessed, and when to get advice before signing a resident agreement.
The Sandwich Generation in Australia: Planning When You're Supporting Both Ends
Supporting adult children and ageing parents at the same time puts your own retirement at the back of the queue. Here's how to structure support for both without quietly running down your own super.
SMSF annual compliance checklist for 2026–27: what trustees must complete before 30 June
Every self-managed super fund must meet a set of annual compliance obligations by 30 June. Missing a deadline doesn't just mean a penalty. It can put your fund's complying status at risk. Here's everything on the list for 2026–27.
Super contribution caps for 2026–27: concessional, non-concessional and the bring-forward rule
How much you can put into super in 2026–27, and in what form, shapes both your retirement savings and your tax. Here are the current caps in plain English.
Downsizing in retirement: freeing up capital
For most retired couples the family home is the largest asset, and it produces no income. Downsizing releases that capital, and the downsizer contribution lets eligible proceeds move into super. Here are the rules, the numbers, and the catches.
Lifetime income streams in retirement
A lifetime income stream pays an income for as long as you live, and it receives concessional treatment under the Age Pension means test. Here's how the guaranteed and market-linked types work, where they fit, and what you give up in return.
What to look for in a super fund
Super is one of the largest assets most Australians will ever hold, yet most people never choose the fund it sits in. Here's what actually matters when you compare funds, from fees to long-term performance, insurance, and whether the fund type fits your situation.
What the new AML/CTF rules mean for our clients
From 1 July 2026, accounting and professional services firms are regulated under Australia's AML/CTF laws. Here's what that covers, what it doesn't, and what may look a little different when we start a new piece of work for you.
Business tax planning: do more with your money
Tax planning is a legal, year-round way to lower what your business owes and free up cash for growth. Here are the levers that matter, the deadlines that drive them, and how to build a plan across the whole financial year.
Crypto tax in Australia: what you need to report
The ATO treats cryptocurrency as a CGT asset, not money. Every time you sell, swap or spend it, you trigger a tax event. Here's what's reportable, how the 50% discount works, and the records the ATO expects you to keep.
Is $2 million enough to retire at 60 in Australia?
For most people retiring at 60, $2 million sits well above the comfortable benchmark. The real questions are how long it needs to last, how it's taxed, and whether the way it's drawn down protects it. Here's how the numbers work.
SMSF tax planning: strategies for trustees in 2026-27
An SMSF is one of the most tax-effective structures in the system. Getting that benefit depends on how the fund is run. Here are the levers that matter in 2026-27: contribution timing, the CGT discount, franking credits and the pension phase.
How to Find and Consolidate Lost Super
Most Australians who have changed jobs a few times have super sitting somewhere they've forgotten. Finding it takes about ten minutes through myGov. Deciding whether to consolidate it takes a little more thought.
Property and Borrowing Inside Super After the Budget
New residential LRBAs ended on 10 August 2026. Residential property inside super did not. Here's what an SMSF can still borrow for, what the grandfathering covers, and the routes trustees are using instead.
What is TPD insurance? Total and permanent disability explained
TPD insurance pays a lump sum if illness or injury stops you working again. Whether it pays depends almost entirely on which definition your policy uses, and most people don't know which one they have.
Australian income tax rates and brackets for 2026-27
The full resident tax brackets, rates and tax tables for 2026-27, including the new 15% rate that replaced 16% on 1 July 2026. Work out your marginal rate and the parts of the scale people most often misread.
Defined benefit superannuation explained
A defined benefit fund pays a lump sum or a pension set by a formula (often a generous one), not by an account balance. These schemes are often confusing to members and inexperienced advisors, with variations in how the money is taxed, how much of it counts against the caps, what happens when you die, and which retirement decisions can never be undone.
Redundancy pay in Australia and how it's taxed
A genuine redundancy payment is partly tax free, and the tax-free slice grows with every completed year of service. Here's how the limit is calculated, how the balance is taxed, and what the payout means for super and the year's tax return.
What goes into a real financial plan?
Goals, position, cash flow, strategy, protection, structure, investment, estate. Here's what each part of a financial plan involves, and why the order you work through them matters more than the products you end up holding.
Index funds explained
An index fund buys the whole market and charges very little for it. Here's how index investing works, how ETFs differ, and why an ASX-only index fund is less diversified than owning 200 companies suggests.
Investment bonds in Australia, and when they beat the alternatives
An investment bond pays tax on its own earnings at 30% and, held for ten years, pays out with nothing to declare. Division 296 and the legislated CGT changes have narrowed what super and personally held investments do better.
Helping your kids into property after the 2026-27 Budget
Rising prices and the Budget's negative gearing and CGT changes have shifted how parents can help adult children into a home. Here are the practical ways to help, and how to do each one without creating a family problem.
What is an SMSF? Self-managed super funds explained
A self-managed super fund puts you in the trustee's seat, with full control over how your retirement savings are invested and full responsibility for running the fund inside the rules. Here's what that involves.
Interest rates 101: what moves them and what reaches your loan
The RBA sets one rate. Your lender sets another. The distance between them explains why a cut doesn't always reach your repayment, and why your savings account moves at a different pace again.
Your home loan was declined: what happened and what to do next
A knock-back usually isn't about you. It's about how one lender read your file against one set of rules. Here's what drives the decision, what to fix first, and the mistake that makes the next application harder.
Mortgage broker or bank: what changes when you use a broker
Most people start their home loan search at the bank they already use. It's a reasonable instinct, but it gives you one lender's view of what you can borrow. Here's what a broker does differently, who pays them, and when going direct still makes sense.
Your fixed rate is expiring: what to do before it rolls over
When a fixed term ends, most loans roll onto the lender's revert rate, which is rarely their best offer. Here's the timeline to work to, the four options you have, and the mistake that costs borrowers the most.
When refinancing your home loan is worth it, and when it isn't
Refinancing gets sold as a rate chase, but the rate is only one of five reasons to move a loan, and sometimes the better move is to stay. Here's how to work out which applies to you.
AGS features on Ensombl's new Aged Care Conversation podcast
Matthew Lloyd and Alex Berlee join the launch episode of Ensombl's new Aged Care Conversation series, unpacking how recent reforms have changed aged care and what families and advisers now need to do differently.
How much do you know about financial scams?
Australians reported $2.18 billion in scam losses in 2025 (ACCC), up 7.8% on 2024. Investment scams alone accounted for $838 million. Take our 8-question quiz to test what you'd spot.
Retirement planning: are you on track?
The three questions that tell you whether you're on track for the retirement you actually want, and the practical steps to close the gap if you're not.
Financial Planning in Brisbane: What to Expect From a Local Adviser
Brisbane's economy has its own character, and good advice reflects that. Here's what a local financial planner actually does, what it costs, when it's worth seeing one, and how a Newstead-based team with national depth behind it works day to day.
Bringing your cashflow processes into the digital age
Cloud accounting and cashflow apps give small businesses real-time visibility over cash coming in and going out. Here's how to use them to stay in control through a slower economy.
How much do you need to retire in Australia? (2026 guide)
The question every Australian eventually asks. ASFA benchmarks, the rule of 25, what a couple really needs, retiring early at 50 or 55, and how the Age Pension changes the maths.
How much super should you have at your age? (2026 benchmarks)
Median and target super balances by decade, from your 30s to your 60s, plus what to do if you're behind. Australian 2026 benchmarks.
Retirement planning in your 50s: the 10-year checklist
Your 50s are the decade with the highest impact on how well you retire. Ten things worth getting right now, from super catch-up to estate planning.
How to Choose a Tax Accountant in Australia: A Practical Guide
A good tax accountant does more than lodge a return once a year. Here's how to tell a genuine adviser from a form-filler, what to ask before you engage one, and why a firm that also handles your planning and lending can save you money the standalone options miss.
Quarterly economic update: April - June 2026
Global shares surged 14.9% as Iran-US ceasefire hopes and AI optimism drove a strong recovery. Here's what happened across markets in the June 2026 quarter, and how the full financial year wrapped up.
Your Accountant Is the Business Mentor You Didn't Know You Needed
Most business owners see their accountant as a compliance resource. Here's why the right accountant is also the most valuable mentor in your corner.
Important Tax Dates & Obligations Q1 – FY 2027
Key tax lodgement dates and obligations for Q1 FY 2027 (July – September 2026). Deadlines for BAS, PAYG, super contributions, TPAR and more.
National Minimum Wage Increase: What It Means for Your Business from 1 July 2026
The National Minimum Wage rises to $26.44/hour from 1 July 2026, with a 4.75% award increase. Here's what it means for your payroll costs and cashflow.
Testamentary trusts: why the retained tax status matters
The government has confirmed testamentary discretionary trusts will keep their tax-advantaged status. Here's what that means, why these structures are one of the most powerful estate planning tools available, and who should consider one.
Trauma insurance: the cover you hope you never need
Trauma insurance pays a lump sum on serious illness like cancer, heart attack or stroke. Here's what it covers, how it differs from income protection and TPD, and a real client story showing why it matters.
SMSF Setup, Costs and Compliance: A 2026 Guide
A self-managed super fund gives you direct control of your retirement savings, but it also makes you the trustee, with real legal duties. Here's how setup, costs and compliance actually work, and what to weigh before starting one.
What happens to my super when I die?
Your super doesn't automatically flow to your estate or follow your will. Here's who can receive it, how it's taxed, and the strategies that can reduce the tax burden on your loved ones.
Division 296: the new tax on large super balances
Division 296 adds an extra layer of tax to superannuation balances above $3 million from 1 July 2026. Here's what it means, who it affects, and why the year to 30 June 2027 is the window to plan.
Salary sacrifice and super: how it works and what it saves
Salary sacrificing into super is one of the most tax-effective strategies available to Australian employees. Here's what can be sacrificed, what the tax saving looks like at different incomes, and the traps that catch people out.
Managing CGT in your SMSF (and why it matters more after 2027)
The 2026 budget left SMSF capital gains tax rules untouched while reforming individual CGT from 1 July 2027. How SMSF CGT works and why the gap is widening.
Variations of debt recycling strategies
Debt recycling isn't a single strategy. It has variations from plain vanilla to property-with-a-trust. A guide to the main approaches and where each one fits.
Federal Budget 2026-27
The 2026–27 Budget represents a meaningful shift in Australia's tax system, with a focus on improving housing affordability, rebalancing tax concessions, and cost-of-living relief.
Debt Recycling – A Strategy for Every Market
With interest rates at elevated levels, achieving financial success may seem challenging. However, there are strategies that remain effective regardless of market conditions. One such strategy is Debt Recycling.
AGS Financial Group Partners with Zenith Aged Care to provide specialist Aged Care expertise
At AGS Financial Group, our focus has always been on helping clients work through complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Today, we're pleased to announce a strategic investment with Zenith Aged Care.
Quarterly economic update: January - March 2026
Review of global and Australian market performance, inflation trends, interest rates and key investment considerations for the March 2026 quarter.
Superannuation Changes from 1 July 2026: What You Need to Know
Major super changes start 1 July 2026, including higher caps, new taxes on large balances and pension limits. Learn what it means and why advice matters.
Alternatives to the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House
On 1 July 2026, the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will close permanently as part of the Payday Super reforms. With only a few months left, employers still using the SBSCH need to find an alternative option, and soon.
Using business money and assets for personal use or benefit?
The ATO regularly publishes focus areas for small businesses. One of the top areas where the ATO regularly sees errors is where a private company shareholder uses business money and assets for personal use or benefit.
Fringe Benefits Tax
The ATO is increasing its focus on FBT compliance, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Key areas include company vehicles, logbooks, and employee benefits.
Market Update: Staying Focused During Geopolitical Uncertainty
Market Update: Staying Focused During Geopolitical Uncertainty
Pay Day Super
From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as employee wages, rather than quarterly.
New Year Financial Checklist 2026
With the start of a new year, many of us take time to reflect on what we've achieved and what we want the year ahead to look like. Whether you're running a busi
NSW Land Tax 2026 – It's Here Again
During the 2025 calendar year you may have inherited, purchased or otherwise acquired land in NSW for the first time and may now be liable to pay land tax. For
Retirement Planning: What to Do With Your Superannuation
Approaching retirement? Learn how to use your superannuation for income, reduce tax and plan ahead with expert retirement planning advice.
Quarterly economic update: October - December 2025
Review of global and Australian market performance, inflation trends, interest rates and key investment considerations for the December 2025 quarter.
Car Claims For Electric Vehicles
Working out the cost of electricity used to run your electric vehicle for business purposes requires specific records and some key choices. Here's what you need to know.
Protecting Your Super From Scams
With more than $4 trillion in superannuation, scammers see it as a goldmine. ASIC has warned of a rise in pushy sales tactics and false promises. Here's how to keep your nest egg safe.
Quarterly Economic Update: July – September 2025
Share markets at home and abroad posted strong returns last quarter. Discover what's shaping investment markets and what it means for you.
Sustainability for SMEs in Australia: Cut Costs & Gain Advantage
Discover how adopting sustainability practices enables Australian SMEs to reduce costs, ensure compliance, attract top talent, and secure a stronger position in supply chains.
The 4 Phases of Retirement
Dr Riley Moynes' TEDx research identifies four distinct psychological phases most people experience in retirement. Worth understanding before you reach that milestone.
The Value of Advice: What Does a Financial Planner Actually Help With?
Research from Russell Investments shows professional financial guidance boosts confidence, clarity and results. 89% of advised clients feel more confident about their finances.
Across the Board has merged with AGS Financial Group
Across the Board Taxation & Accounting Services merged with AGS Financial Group in September 2025. Sue Vukici and the same team continue from the Hurstville office.
The Art of Delegation
Effective delegation frees up time and boosts productivity. Here are the essential principles that separate true delegation from abdication.
The Right to Work From Home: Impact for Your Employees and Business
Proposed Victorian legislation could give employees the right to work from home two days per week. Here's what it means for your business and how to make hybrid working productive.
Quarterly Economic Update: April – June 2025
Global share markets delivered robust returns in 2024–25, driven by falling inflation, central bank rate cuts, and surprising economic resilience. Here's what it means for investors.
SMSF annual compliance checklist: what trustees must complete before 30 June
Every self-managed super fund must meet a set of annual compliance obligations by 30 June. Missing a deadline doesn't just mean a penalty. It can put your fund's complying status at risk. Here's everything on the list.
Debt recycling: turning your mortgage into a tax-efficient investment strategy
Debt recycling is one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies available to Australian homeowners, yet it's widely misunderstood. This guide explains how it works, who it suits, and the risks you need to understand.
Super Guarantee Rate: Australia's Current Rate & Full History
Australia's Super Guarantee (SG) rate is 12% and stays there. From 1 July 2026 it's paid every payday, on a broader earnings base called Qualifying Earnings. See the full SG rate history, what changes for employees and employers under Payday Super, and how to keep salary sacrifice inside the concessional cap.
Super contribution caps for 2025–26: concessional, non-concessional and the bring-forward rule
Understanding how much you can contribute to superannuation, and in what form, is fundamental to maximising your retirement savings and managing your tax. Here are the 2025–26 rules in plain English.
The Age Pension assets test: a plain-English guide for retirees
The assets test is the most common reason Australians receive a reduced Age Pension, or none at all. Understanding what counts, what doesn't, and how to structure your finances can make a material difference to your entitlement.
Income protection vs TPD cover: understanding the difference and what you need
Income protection and total and permanent disability cover both protect you if you can't work, but they work in completely different ways. Getting the right mix is one of the most important financial decisions you can make.
Company, trust or sole trader: choosing the right structure for your business
The structure you choose for your business affects your tax bill, your asset protection, your ability to split income and your flexibility to bring in investors. Most Australians pick a structure without fully understanding the long-term implications.
AGS Welcomes Frank Martino and Lifetime Wealth Planners
AGS Financial Group is pleased to welcome experienced Sydney-based financial planner Frank Martino to the AGS family, effective 3 February 2025.
Estate planning essentials: what every Australian adult needs in place
A surprising number of Australians don't have a valid will — and those who do often lack the other documents that complete an effective estate plan. Here's what you actually need and why each document matters.
Property vs shares: building wealth through the right asset mix
The debate between property and shares dominates dinner table conversations about investing. The honest answer is that the question itself is usually the wrong one. Here's how to think about it properly.
How Much Does a Financial Planner Cost in Australia? (2026–27 Guide)
How much does a financial planner cost in Australia? Typically $3,000–$8,000 for a full plan, or $300–$600/hour advice-only. Here's what each fee model covers.
UK State Pension entitlements
Worked in the UK? Take action now on National Insurance to enhance your State Pension entitlements.
No articles match your search. to see all articles.
Live & on-demand
Webinars
Join the AGS team live or watch past sessions on retirement planning, super strategy, tax updates, market conditions and more. Free for clients and the public.
Browse webinarsTools & downloads
Resources
Practical tools, guides and reference material to support your financial decisions.