Guiding you through every stage of life

Our approach adapts to your needs over time, providing practical strategies and expert advice tailored to your goals – from early career through to retirement and beyond.

Typically 20s to 40s

Building Your
Foundation

Business Owners & Professionals

You’re building a successful career or business and looking to make the most of your income. Whether it’s refining your structures, navigating a major life change, or growing your wealth, we help you make confident decisions that support long-term security and success.

How we help:

  • Optimising your business and legal structures
  • Making the most of your income
  • Building your wealth
  • Superannuation
  • Insurance to protect what matters
Typically 40s to 60s

Planning for
What’s Next

Pre-retirees & High Earners

You’re hitting your peak earning years, balancing responsibilities, and starting to focus on what retirement could look like. It’s a critical time to optimise your strategies, reduce tax, and ensure your future is on track.

How we help:

  • Tax-effective strategies and salary structuring
  • Super consolidation and contribution planning
  • Investment growth with a medium to long-term view
  • Protecting assets with appropriate insurance
  • Estate and legacy planning considerations
Typically late 50s to mid-60s

Transitioning to Retirement

Nearing Retirement

Retirement is just around the corner, and your financial decisions matter more than ever. We guide you through the transition—helping you maximise your super, structure your income, and set the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to achieve.

How we help:

  • Retirement income forecasting
  • Transition to Retirement (TTR) strategies
  • Super drawdown and pension structuring
  • Centrelink and Age Pension considerations
  • Reviewing insurance for changing needs
Typically 60s and beyond

Living in
Retirement

Retirees

You’ve stepped into retirement, and the focus shifts to sustaining your lifestyle, preserving wealth, and leaving a legacy. We support you in managing your income, making smart investment decisions, and navigating aged care and estate planning.

How we help:

  • Income stream and cash flow planning
  • Investment strategies for security and stability
  • Aged care planning and advice
  • Gifting and helping the next generation
  • Estate planning and intergenerational wealth transfer
YOUR FINANCIAL JOUNEY

Building your financial future

Every client journey begins with a conversation. We look closely at where you are now, what matters to you, and what’s possible. Then we structure our advice to match.

Financial
Roadmap

A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.

Tax
Efficiency

Proactive strategies to maximise your tax savings.

Personalised
Investing

Tailored plans aligned with your goals and risk profile.

Ongoing
Support

Regular guidance to keep your plan on track.

CLIENT STORY

Tim and Adam

Life Stage:

Early retirement and working professional

Background:

When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.

  • Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
  • Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
  • Needed a plan that supported both retirement and ongoing work
  • Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
  • Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
  • Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
  • Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
  • Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance

“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

CLIENT STORY

Lyn

Life Stage:

Retired widow

Background:

Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.

  • Had never managed finances before
  • Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
  • Needed plain-English explanations and patience
  • Sought emotional support and practical clarity
  • Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
  • Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
  • Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
  • Remained a trusted constant through major transitions

“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”

CLIENT STORY

Larry and Virginia

Life Stage:

Newly retired

Background:

As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.

  • Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
  • Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
  • Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
  • Needed people they could call and count on
  • Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
  • Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
  • Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
  • Built a lasting partnership based on trust

 

 

“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”

CLIENT STORY

Graeme and Craig

Life Stage:

Retired and semi-retired

Background:

Referred by friends helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.

  • Invest inheritance securely without high risk
  • Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
  • Building trust for someone new to advice
  • Accessible, personalised advice
  • Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
  • Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
  • Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
  • Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions

“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”

CLIENT STORY

John

Life Stage:

Retired business owner

Background:

After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.

  • Navigated the sale of a long-held business
  • Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
  • Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
  • Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
  • Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
  • Offered approachable, plain-English advice
  • Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
  • Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow

“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”

CLIENT STORY

Jan

Life Stage:

Retired

Background:

Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.

  • Needed financial guidance after business sale
  • Lacked experience managing complex finances
  • Sought consistent income and long-term structure
  • Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
  • Provided long-term support through several transitions
  • Helped structure income reliably for retirement
  • Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
  • Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth

“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”

Meet our advisers

Brendan Smith

Financial Adviser

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David Jackson

Principal

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James Wrigley

Principal

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Joel Gleeson

Financial Adviser

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Matthew Benic

Financial Adviser

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Nathaniel Johnston

Financial Adviser

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Stefanie Falleti

Financial Adviser

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age should I start to see a financial adviser?

There’s no “right” age to see a financial adviser – we recommend as soon as you have goals, income, or key decisions to make (first job, buying a home, starting a family, receiving an inheritance, planning for retirement). Earlier guidance compounds over time, but it’s never too late to get on track.

Does your advice change depending on the life stage?

Yes. Your goals and risks change with each life stage, so our advice does too – from building cashflow and good habits early on, to protecting family and growing wealth mid-life, to structuring reliable retirement income and estate plans later. We tailor recommendations to your situation at every step.

Can financial advice be tailored if me and my spouse are at different life stages?

Definitely – we build one household plan but tailor strategies for each of you. Different time frames while aligning shared goals. We can run separate portfolios (e.g., super, investments, cashflow/insurance) under one advice framework so you both progress at the right pace together.

Ready to take the first step?

You can use the form below to make a general or initial enquiry.

You can also book a 15 minute call with an adviser by clicking the blue button below.

Ready to take the first step?

You can use the form on the right to make a general or initial enquiry.

You can also book a 15 minute call with an adviser by clicking the blue button below.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Tell us about yourself

Fill in your details and briefly let us know how we can help.

2. Prompt follow-up

We’ll reach out to schedule a time that suits you.

3. Meet your adviser

Enjoy an obligation-free initial meeting to discuss your goals and explore how we can guide you toward financial confidence.

Let’s start the conversation.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Level 9, 90 Collins Street,
Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Office Hours
Mon – Fri | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Get in touch with First Financial