Wrapping up 2025 and looking forward to the next 12 months, Nathan Fradley from Fradley Advice explained why he’s positive about advice despite some of the negative aspects of the last year.
2025 wrap-up
What was the most significant thing (good or bad) to come out of this year?
The last minute CSLR allocation that is not a ‘determinant precendent’, I think the minister said.
How has the profession grown over the year?
I think we have taken more steps towards professionalism: the cohort of top tier, values-based advisers is growing – and rapidly. This keeps me positive in the face of bad actors.
What was the biggest achievement for the profession this year?
Shout out to everyone who got their qualifications done and put in the work to stay in the game – a cost of time and money you shouldn’t have had to spare, but props for doing it!
What shocked you this year?
Nothing in this space shocks me anymore.
How do you wind up business for the year?
Close the calendar to new appointments 1 December, all new enquires are talked to then sent to the new year (unless urgent aged care).
Try to finish as much as I can to leave a full week empty – it’s never empty.
Makes for a much softer landing, and a solid start to the new year.
What was the biggest achievement this year?
Fradley Advice has really taken off and found its flow. Weaving Gold (Our B2C podcast) is growing a lot faster than I ever anticipated. Winning ifa Thought leader was cool, too.
2026 look ahead
What are you hoping to come out of next year?
The final recommendation on whatever regulatory changes announced for DBFO, with the hope that we have even a couple of years of stability.
While I’m writing a Santa list: Can we have no new multi-million-dollar CSLR claimant this year. Please?
Not holding my breath on either.
How are you feeling about the year to come and why?
Very excited; there’s lots to be positive about in building an advice practice (be that employee or self-employed) in 2026.
What do you think needs to be a top priority for 2026?
Activity and progress with what we know, not waiting for answers on the unknown and unknowable reg changes.
Direct any energy you would otherwise use stressing about changes, into meeting your local member, getting involved in a working group or committee, or mentoring newcomers or business start-ups.
What is your main goal as an adviser for the coming year?
We have spent the back half of this year optimising our processes and tech – I’m looking forward to enjoying the fruits of that through being able to give great advice, with less friction.
I’d also love to see Challenge the Standard continue its growth in listenership, maybe another 50 per cent regular listeners by Christmas ’26.
I’m also excited to see the growth in our B2C podcast Weaving Gold.
Where do you see the advice profession heading in 2026?
Regulatory, I think we will still be in limbo, and those waiting for change will stand on the docks in the rain a bit longer.
Those that are just getting on with growth in the current rules and the threat of change, I see those practices thriving even further.
I still think there will be more single AR practices popping up, people ‘having a crack’ to build something themselves.
