Why we charge what we charge (and why it matters more than you think)

This landed in my inbox on 8 April.

“Your clients are sitting on untapped super. New build property is one of the most powerful ways to put it to work.”

It sounds compelling. It might even be legal. But emails like that — designed to funnel your superannuation into someone else’s product — are exactly how thousands of Australians have ended up losing money, dignity, and years of hard-earned retirement savings.

The numbers are ugly.

Around 80 per cent of existing claims on the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort relate to SMSF advice. IFA SMSF complaints to AFCA rose 95 per cent in 2024–25. IFA In the year to March 2025, 64 financial firms failed or refused to pay an AFCA determination at least once. ifa

Let that sink in. Clients won their case. A regulator agreed they were wronged. And the firm still didn’t pay.

When that happens, the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort steps in — but only up to $150,000. After that, there’s nothing. ifa

Most of the firms behind these failures were small, self-licensed operations. No deep pockets. No accountability structure. Just a shingle on the wall and a conflicts-of-interest problem they never disclosed.

So what does this have to do with Rising Tide?

We operate under a large, well-resourced Australian Financial Services licence. That matters — not as a marketing line, but as a practical safeguard. It means oversight, compliance obligations, professional indemnity insurance, and a structured complaints process. It means if something goes wrong, there’s actually a path to resolution.

We charge flat fees based on complexity, and a percentage of funds under management. Not because it’s the easiest way to bill — but because it aligns with the work involved and the risk we carry as your advice team. The more you have invested, the more is at stake. We take that seriously.

We don’t take referral fees from product providers. We don’t have “preferred” property developers. We don’t send emails at 7am pushing SMSF property to strangers.

What we’re actually here for

The question our clients come to us with isn’t “what’s the best return?” It’s something quieter: are we going to be okay?

That’s not a return question. It’s a life question. It takes time, honesty, and advisers who care about the answer as much as you do.

Our team has been doing this for a long time — across real market cycles, real family situations, real trade-offs. That experience isn’t flashy. It doesn’t fit in a cold email.

But it’s the thing that actually helps.

A note on fees

There are cheaper options. Some of them are fine. Some of them end up costing clients everything.

If you’re weighing up advice firms on price alone, we’re probably not the right fit. But if you want a team with genuine depth — who will tell you the hard truth, stay in your corner, and help you build a financial life you’re proud of — we’d like to talk.