Find out about the IFS Trusted Advice Model
Deliver advice efficiently which aligns with members' priorities and fund expectations, helping you run a profitable practice
Operate under a trusted AFSL framework with strong compliance support
Meet Trustee Requirements including quality vetting, advice fee payment requests and access to adviser portals
Access training and tools providing you with a complete advice production platform tailored to industry super advice
Benefit from referral opportunities through partnerships with leading super funds, with the option of having IFS provide an appointment booking service
A comprehensive Licensing Solution
Authority to provide advice on a broad range of advice topics and products
Audit/ risk monitoring, incident/ complaint management and regulator engagement
We help you not only meet your CPD requirements, but also help you leverage a community of peers
Our team will produce presentation ready SOAs, in line with our licensee standards
Track your key business metrics with peer benchmarking
Triage and appointment bookings of fund members seeking financial advice
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You must pass the IFS technical test
Meet stringent compliance and employment background checks
Agree to work to IFS Licensee Standards and business model rules covering education standards, approved products and advice disclosure
Mandatory to use IFS advice technology and follow the IFS advice process
No ongoing advice fees, fixed fee review fees are permitted
Must be a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA)
Commit to participate in ongoing IFS monitoring and supervision program
The framework is titled the Independent Adviser Licensing Model because it is specifically designed to enable financial advisers who are not employed by superannuation funds to provide advice to fund members under the IFS AFSL. In this context, ‘independent’ refers to advisers being independent of fund employment structures, rather than suggesting they meet the definition of “independent” under s923A of the Corporations Act.
The name reflects the intent of the model: to establish a licensing and operating model framework for external advisers who wish to specialise in advising super fund members, helping funds expand member access to quality advice while maintaining strong governance and compliance standards.
Whether an adviser is described as ‘independent’ in the FSG depends entirely on the adviser’s own practice model and the way their business is structured, including how they manage remuneration, conflicts, and service delivery. Participation in the Independent Adviser Licensing Model does not automatically result in advisers being labelled as ‘independent’.
Using the protected term ‘Independent Financial Adviser’ is based on their individual business arrangements how they can accurately describe themselves.
However, the IFS Licensing Arrangement in itself comprises some of the key requirements for an adviser to be deemed independent, including:
Open APL
No conflicted remuneration
No incentives or otherwise to influence product advice
Advice licensee standards which reinforce adviser autonomy to prioritise member interests
For efficiency purposes, IFS like many AFSLs maintain an APL to help advisers compare and assess the suitability of products for specific client needs. This APL comprises a range of products and product classes. Advisers can use products not on IFS’ APL with licensee approval.
Yes, so long as the adviser otherwise adheres to IFS’ licensee standards when it comes to advice process, standards and oversight. However, IFS will not support ongoing service arrangements and advisers wanting to develop their own in house products.
Note: an adviser can be accredited to provide advice on specialist topics such as life risk, Aged Care, SMSF so long as the appropriate skills, educations and experience requirements are met.
Super funds face a persistent challenge: member demand for advice far exceeds the capacity of in house advice teams. This model helps funds:
Increase member access to quality, fee-for-service advice
Maintain strong governance through a trusted AFSL partner
Extend support to pre-retirees, who increasingly need guidance on retirement decisions
