Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
Tax Effective Strategies
Paying tax is a part of life. But paying more than you need to? That’s something we can help you avoid. Smart structures to help you minimise your tax burden, retain wealth and make the most of every opportunity.
What are tax-effective strategies?
Tax-effective strategies reduce the tax you pay on income, investments and superannuation while staying aligned with Australian tax rules. Because tax rules are complex, an experienced adviser can help you apply the right approach and make confident, informed decisions.
These strategies can create meaningful advantages over time. Our experienced team helps you keep more of your money working for you by utilising optimal structures and strategies, ensuring your hard work isn’t unnecessarily eroded by tax. From structuring your super to how you hold your assets, thoughtful decisions improve financial efficiency and deliver stronger outcomes for you and your family throughout your broader financial plan.
Practical ways we can help
We help you navigate a range of tax-effective approaches designed to make the most of your income, super and investments. Every recommendation is tailored to your unique circumstances and considered as part of your broader financial strategy, not an item in isolation. These strategies include:
- Structuring income through salary sacrifice
Redirect a portion of your pre-tax salary into super to lower your taxable income while steadily building your retirement savings. - Transition to retirement strategies
Access part of your super while still working to reduce your hours, supplement your income or boost contributions in a tax-effective way. - Lump sum drawdowns and account-based pensions
Once retired and over 60, you may be able to draw an income from super tax-free through structured pension payments or lump sum withdrawals. - Holding investments in tax-effective vehicles
Use structures like superannuation, family trusts or joint ownership to reduce capital gains tax and manage income tax more efficiently. - Balancing drawdowns with cash flow and tax minimisation
Develop a withdrawal strategy that supports your lifestyle while making the most of available tax concessions and reducing long-term liabilities.
What to expect when working with First Financial
From your first meeting with us, the focus is on understanding your full financial landscape, including your income, assets, liabilities, goals and future plans. These insights shape the tax-effective strategies we recommend, ensuring your money is working purposefully within a broader financial framework.
Tax adds up over time. Even small improvements in efficiency can make a substantial difference to your long-term wealth, super balance and retirement income. Our advice doesn’t just aim to reduce tax. It is designed to support and strengthen your overall strategy.
“Tax adds up over time. Even small improvements in efficiency can make a substantial difference to your long-term wealth, super balance and retirement income.”
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
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
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
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
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.”
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
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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tax-effective strategy and how can it help me?
A tax-effective strategy is a way to reduce the amount of tax you pay by structuring your income, super and investments more efficiently. The goal is to help you retain more of your earnings and strengthen long-term financial outcomes.
Can tax-effective strategies really make a difference over time?
Yes. Even small adjustments can compound significantly over the years, increasing your retirement savings, improving cash flow and reducing unnecessary liabilities. It’s about making your money work smarter within the rules of the Australian taxation system.
Do I need to be close to retirement to benefit from tax-effective strategies?
Not at all. These strategies can support you at every stage of life—from building wealth in your working years to managing income during retirement. The key is to align them with your broader financial plan.
What can I expect when I work with First Financial?
We start by getting to know your full financial picture, including your income, goals and future plans. From there, we develop tailored, practical strategies that reduce tax where possible and support your long-term financial security.
What to expect
Introductory Call
Your first contact with us is typically through a phone call. We aim to understand your needs early on, address any immediate questions, and make sure we’re the perfect match.
Discovery Meeting
This meeting will be more in-depth, allowing us to thoroughly understand your situation, financial goals, and priorities. We will clearly explain our fees, so you know what to expect.
Strategy
We’ll take the time to analyse, evaluate, and develop strategies to determine an effective path to achieve your goals and address your priorities.
Recommendations
We take the time to go through your tailored plan, in a simple, straightforward manner. Our goal is to provide clarity and confidence, so you can see a clear path forward.
Implementation
Following your approval, our team will proactively guide the process to implement your recommendations and set you on the path to achieve your lifestyle and financial goals.
Partnership
Our partnership keeps you on track with regular check-ins, clear updates, and next steps. When life changes, we review and adjust your plan so it stays aligned to what matters.