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    Investment Advisory

    Overview

    The majority of investment advice provided in Australia is not independent. Advisers operating under restricted licences can only recommend investments from their licensee's approved product list. Advisers who charge asset-based fees have a financial interest in keeping assets under management rather than directing clients to pay down debt or hold cash. Advisers who receive product commissions have a structural incentive to recommend higher-commission products. Peter White Financial Planning operates outside all of these constraints.

    Details

    Peter holds a Master of Applied Finance and has 25 years of experience in financial services, including 14 years as a Senior Financial Adviser. He is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia and a member of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers. His practice at Level 57, 25 Martin Place, Sydney CBD does not receive commissions, does not charge asset-based fees, and is not restricted to any product list. Investment recommendations are based on what is appropriate for the client, assessed against their full financial position.

    Additional Information

    Portfolio construction begins with a clear understanding of the client's objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance, income requirements, and tax position. Peter develops investment strategies across Australian and international equities, fixed income, cash, listed and unlisted property, infrastructure, exchange-traded funds, managed funds, and listed investment companies. The strategy is documented in a Statement of Advice and reviewed as circumstances change.

    More About This Service

    Asset allocation is the primary driver of investment outcomes over time. The split between growth assets (equities, property, infrastructure) and defensive assets (bonds, cash) determines both the expected return and the volatility of the portfolio. Peter advises on strategic asset allocation that is calibrated to the client's risk tolerance and time horizon, and that is robust enough to hold through periods of market stress without requiring reactive decisions at the wrong time.

    Further Details

    Many clients come to Peter having accumulated investments over years through multiple advisers, employer share schemes, and ad hoc decisions. These portfolios frequently contain overlapping exposures, high-cost products, inappropriate risk levels, and embedded tax liabilities. Peter conducts independent reviews of existing portfolios and provides a frank assessment of what is serving the client well and what should change, taking into account the tax consequences of any restructuring.

    Tax Is A Material Component Of Investment Returns

    Tax is a material component of investment returns. Peter incorporates capital gains tax timing, the 50% discount for assets held longer than 12 months, franking credit optimisation, and the tax treatment of different investment structures into portfolio construction and ongoing advice.

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    Your Questions Answered

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Peter White Financial Planning provides independent investment advice from Level 57, 25 Martin Place, Sydney CBD. Peter does not receive commissions, does not charge asset-based fees, and is not restricted to any approved product list. He is a member of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers, which requires advisers to meet a strict definition of independence under the Corporations Act.

    Under the Corporations Act, an adviser can only describe themselves as independent if they receive no commissions, no volume-based payments, and have no ownership or business relationship with product providers that could compromise their objectivity. Most Australian advisers operate under some form of restriction, whether through licensee-imposed product lists, commission arrangements, or asset-based fee structures. Peter White meets the legal definition of independent.

    Peter White Financial Planning charges a fixed or agreed fee for advice. The fee is not calculated as a percentage of assets under management. This means the cost of advice does not increase as a portfolio grows, and there is no financial incentive to recommend managed funds over lower-cost direct investments. The fee structure is disclosed upfront in the Financial Services Guide.

    Yes. Peter White conducts independent portfolio reviews for clients who want an objective assessment of their current investments. A review typically covers asset allocation, product costs, tax efficiency, concentration risk, and whether the portfolio is aligned with the client's current financial objectives. The review results in a written report with specific recommendations.

    Peter White can advise across Australian and international equities, fixed income securities, cash and term deposits, Australian real estate investment trusts, infrastructure funds, exchange-traded funds, managed funds, listed investment companies, and alternative investments. Advice is not restricted to any product list or investment platform.