The Best Financial Advisors and Planners in Cairns
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Let us find the Best Financial Planner for your Needs and Situation.
Cairns is one of QueenslandтАЩs fastest-growing regional cities, attracting professionals and retirees from across Australia seeking a balance of lifestyle and opportunity. With steady population growth and a strong services and tourism economy, financial planning has become a growing priority for locals wanting to manage rising costs and make the most of their wealth.
Rapid property growth and record-low rental vacancies are reshaping how residents think about money and long-term wealth management. Many are turning to experienced Cairns financial advisers for help managing mortgages, structuring investments, and planning for retirement. While Cairns remains more affordable than major capitals, inflation and housing pressures are making trusted financial advice essential for lasting stability and confidence.
This page features 10 of the most reputable financial planners in Cairns, each fully licensed under ASIC and compliant with AustraliaтАЩs national education and ethical standards. Our selection process assessed qualifications, experience, transparency, independence, client feedback, and professional recognition.
Only verified, trustworthy advisers who demonstrate proven local expertise тАФ from property-focused investment strategies to retirement and business structuring advice тАФ have been included. The result is a shortlist of expert financial planners who understand the unique needs of Cairns residents and can help you make confident, informed financial decisions for the future.
Louise Parker – Absolute Wealth Advisors
IтАЩve been in the financial planning game since 1989, helping folks imagine and then create a better financial future for themselves and their families.
With over 35 years in the business, I still get a real buzz from helping my clients reach their goals, and IтАЩm more passionate than ever about it.
I joined Financial Lifestyle Managers in 2004 after stints with AMP and Westpac. I took to the business straight away тАУ so much so that I ended up buying it in 2006.
In 2012, after six years of growing the client base and helping hundreds of people secure their financial future, I merged with FMD.
A couple of years later, in 2015, I kicked off a new chapter and relaunched Financial Lifestyle Managers to get back to what I love most тАУ helping clients achieve their financial dreams.
And just recently, on 1st November 2024, I merged Financial Lifestyle Managers with Absolute Wealth Advisers to take the next step in providing even more comprehensive financial advice to our clients. ItтАЩs an exciting new chapter, and IтАЩm pumped for whatтАЩs ahead.
Services
Dave Haydon is the Financial Advisor who Cairns’ successful families, business owners, professionals and retirees choose.
He develops sophisticated investment portfolios and retirement strategies that have delivered long term financial benefits for his clients.
His financial planning services include:
Expertise
Recognised as one of the leading Financial Advisors Cairns residents have local access to, Dave Haydon’s experience, qualifications and achievements include:
Dave HaydonтАЩs Clients Include
Being a Haydon Partners client gives you access to exclusive investment portfolios, first class service, and tailored financial strategies.
Office
14 Spence Street, Cairns, in ‘The Bolands Centre’ Building.
Trent Daly – Shadforth Financial Group
Trent is a qualified financial adviser with a reputation for building life-long, trusting relationships with his clients. He bases his professional practice on his key values of listening, grace, and kindness.
He has a wealth of knowledge and in-depth understanding of the complex planning, taxation and structural issues that apply to business ownersтАЩ and professionalsтАЩ planning retirement goals. With this expertise, he is well placed to provide clients with high quality wealth creation and asset protection strategies.
Education and experience
Brent is a Cairns local who has a strong belief in family, community and his profession. He has a wealth of experience, having spent over 30 years in the Financial Services Industry.
Brent started his own firm 2007 growing steadily to become the most well respected Financial Advisory Firms in North Queensland.
‘Confidence, professional , peace of mind and great outcomes’, are the common terms used by his clients when describing their experiences with Kelly Wealth.
Brent enjoys giving his clients clarity: ‘Once clients go through the advice process and they can envisage what their life’s work and our advice culminates to, showing them how they can achieve all their objectives, this provides me with great satisfaction’.
He specialises in tailoring personalised investment portfolios and strategies that help his clients build wealth, retire or help plan wealth for the next generation. Self managed super, trusts, investment company or personally held investments are all considered options. Working with accountants and other business professionals to achieve the best outcome for his clients..
Brent works with all clients, in particular professionals and business owners , assisting them build wealth outside of their business, successional planning and retirement.
Brent holds a CFP and is a member of the FAAA an SMSF Specialist and Kelly Wealth Services is a FAAA Professional Practice. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Office
Suite 7, Florence House
Level 2, 26 Florence St
Cairns, QLD, 4870
Danny Maher – Fiducia Private Wealth
CFP, DipFP, SPAA SMSF Specialist AdviserTM
FiduciaтАЩs principal Danny Maher has over 25 years in financial services and is a fourth generation Far North Queensland local.
Danny is a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and a practitioner member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), AustraliaтАЩs peak professional association for financial advisers.
Danny has served on various national FPA committees, as well as the local Cairns Chapter and has filled the role of Chapter Chair.
Danny is recognised as a leading practitioner, not just locally but nationally and has spoken at conferences locally and nationally both for the FPA and also for various dealer groups and licensees.
DannyтАЩs passion is for sport and has served as a board member on various regional and local boards and committees.
Outside of work and sport, Danny is an avid reader and also enjoys travelling and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Office
Level 1, 103-113 Spence Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Jason O’Donnell – O’Donnell Kerr Financial Planner
CFP┬о, BE, GradDipFP
Jason has had extensive experience providing all aspects of financial advice to clients throughout Queensland.
Jason is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP┬о) and holds a Diploma of Financial Planning through the Financial Planning Association in conjunction with Deakin University. He is an Authorised Representative of O’Donnell Kerr Pty Ltd – Corporate Authorised Representative of Advice Professionals Pty Ltd. Jason is a member of the Financial Planning Association.
Office
1/170 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns, QLD, 4870
Judith Brown – PSK Private Wealth
Judith has 27 yearsтАЩ experience in the financial services industry. She helps clients navigate the complexity of legislation and implement financial strategies that will work towards reaching a clientтАЩs lifestyle goals. Over the years she has seen her clients raise their children and retire and has been able to share with clients the journey that is financial planning. She enjoys using her experience to provide comprehensive and practical advice to a wide range of clients in a variety of situations, including families, professionals, small business and rural operations.
JudithтАЩs goal is to support her clients in any decision they may need to make in life and act as a sounding board and the voice of reason through their journey.
Judith finds the most rewarding part of the position to be when her clients achieve their goals, especially retirement.
Outside of the office, Judith is passionate about giving back to the community and is currently the Finance Chair of Meals on Wheels Queensland and Treasurer of Cairns Meals on Wheels.
Office
Level 2, 111-115 Grafton Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Joel Little – Sage Financial Advice
Joel has been helping clients with their finances since 2008 and enjoys ensuring that his clients are making the most of what they have. Joel has extensive experience assisting clients of all ages and backgrounds to develop simple solutions to reach their financial and lifestyle goals.
Joel has particular interests in:
Joel moved back to Cairns in 2011 to enjoy the tropical lifestyle and provide his family with opportunities that only a regional centre can.
Most people seek the services of a mechanic to ensure that their car runs reliably or plan their wedding because they want a positive outcome. Many people use a tax agent for their tax returns because they donтАЩt understand the system. The same logic applies to financial advice тАУ it provides a reliable and positive financial outcome in a complex world.
Joel’s goal is to have fun, keep it simple, enjoy the company of my colleagues and clients while making a difference.
Office
572 Mulgrave Road, Woree QLD 4870
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER┬о professional, Accredited Investment Fiduciary┬о and SMSF Specialist AdviserтДв, Jason joined the family business in 1995 after a successful start to his financial career as an accountant for local Cairns businesses, and a period as financial controller in Papua New Guinea. He holds a double major in Accounting and Banking & Finance from Queensland University of Technology.
In addition to a high level of business acumen, Jason is a strong communicator with an extensive commercial network throughout Australia and internationally. In the everchanging financial industry, he prioritises keeping his knowledge up to date, attending conferences and sharing ideas to improve the way FowlerтАЩs Group conducts business. This allows him to bring a global presence to the Cairns community.
His primary focus is building relationships with clients to help them on their financial journey and get the best outcomes. As CEO, he balances strategic planning with operational matters, empowering the team at FowlerтАЩs Group to learn, grow, develop ideas and make sound decisions.
Along with the other Directors of FowlerтАЩs Group, Jason published his first book, 40 Lessons Learnt in 40 Years of Business.
Office
111 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Anthony Menico – MTP Financial
Anthony is a Cairns local with over 25 yearsтАЩ experience advising clients and designing financial products. Working initially with large corporate superannuation facilities as diverse as government defined benefit funds to private oil companies, Anthony advised trustees on regulation, investment, insurance and strategy.
Anthony returned to Cairns from Sydney in 1994 to take over the practice of his father, John Menico (OAM). Since then, Anthony has helped numerous Cairns families and private entities build, protect and pass on their wealth to the next generation. The expansion of the business in 2009 to Menico Tuck Parrish Financial Services (now known as MTP Financial) has enabled Anthony to further develop his business management skills.
Specialising in retirement income planning, Anthony is sought out by large institutions to contribute to product design and strategy. He has provided expert opinion in the media including The Australian, IFA Magazine and local radio.
Anthony is married with two children. He passionately enjoys the lifestyle the North has to offer, such as fishing. His other interests include restoring classic cars, skiing and relaxing on the Tablelands with his family.
Words to live by: тАЬWe make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.тАЭ тАУ Winston Churchill
Office
192 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt, Cairns
Financial advice fees in Cairns are broadly in line with national averages, though they vary depending on your goals and the adviserтАЩs experience. A comprehensive financial plan typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000, with ongoing advice averaging around $4,000 a year. One-off consultations usually start from about $300 an hour. Most Cairns advisers offer fixed-fee or project-based services to suit regional budgets.
While these costs may seem high, they reflect the detailed compliance and professional expertise involved тАФ and the long-term value often outweighs the upfront expense through better financial outcomes and greater peace of mind.
With more than 14,000 local businesses, many Cairns advisers specialise in helping small-business owners and contractors manage both personal and business finances. Services often include tax structuring, cash-flow management, superannuation, and succession planning. Advisers who understand the regionтАЩs tourism, construction, and marine industries can also provide tailored strategies to smooth income cycles and grow long-term wealth.
The main disadvantage is cost, as comprehensive advice can feel expensive upfront. However, this reflects the professional time, compliance, and qualifications required. Some clients may also find the process detailed or time-consuming at first, as advisers need full financial information to give accurate guidance.
Working with a licensed, experienced planner helps ensure the benefits тАФ such as reduced stress, better structure, and long-term savings тАФ outweigh the initial effort and fees.
Most of CairnsтАЩ top-rated financial planners are based in and around the CBD, with others operating in key suburbs such as Edge Hill, Manunda, and Redlynch. YouтАЩll also find experienced advisers in nearby business hubs like Portsmith and Earlville.
Many firms now offer virtual or hybrid meetings, giving clients across Far North Queensland easy access to qualified, reputable financial advice from wherever they live.
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