Australian Finance Podcast

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask is joined by Rask Advice Associate Milli Russell to unpack Milli’s journey into financial advice, alongside answering your biggest money questions. They cover: – Milli’s pathway from school to financial planning – What it actually takes to become a financial adviser – How the industry is changing post-Royal Commission – Real-world answers to listener questions on mortgages, ETFs, and investing Topics Covered – Why Milli chose a career in finance – The snow trip story: Advanced Sport → Accounting – Discovering a passion for accounting and business in school – Pivoting from accounting to financial planning – The real financial adviser career pathway – Study requirements & professional year (PY) – Being young and female in finance – The impact of the Royal Commission on the industry – Why financial advice is rewarding – Working with pre-retirees & retirees – Listener Question: Fixing vs variable mortgage decisions – Listener Question: SpaceX IPO & ETF impacts – Listener Question: Shares vs property vs cash for young investors – Spending vs investing vs enjoying life Resources for this episode 📄 Learn more about topics discussed in this episode: What is an IPO (Initial Public Offering)? How ETFs work (S&P 500, Nasdaq exposure) Understanding fixed vs variable interest rates What is a financial adviser & how to become one Superannuation basics for retirement planning ~~ Show partner resources ~~ 💰 Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit- https://bit.ly/Pearler 📊 Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith - https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith 📈 View Betashares full range of funds - https://bit.ly/beta-25 ~~ Rask resources ~~ 🔗 Explore all Rask services - https://bit.ly/R-services 📋 Learn about Rask Financial Planning - https://bit.ly/R-plan 📈 Start investing with Rask- https://bit.ly/R-invest 📜 Access Show Notes - https://bit.ly/R-notes ❓ Ask a question - just select the Finance Podcast - https://bit.ly/R-quest 📲 Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest - https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest/ TikTok: @rask.invest- https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs before acting on it. If you’re unsure, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG) - https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Pete Wargent of Allen Wargent Property Buyers and Gemma Mitchell from Rask discuss whether first homebuyers should use the 5% deposit scheme. Here’s what they cover: -Criteria for qualifying for the new scheme  -The new property price caps -Getting the right loan -Managing cashflows -Retaining a buffer -The benefits of using the 5% deposit scheme -The risk and the drawbacks And their summary thoughts and tips.  This episode originally featured on The Australian Property Podcast. Resources for this episode Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds Rask resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason from PocketSmith, creator of a money-management app and the Global Spending Map, joins to explain how real spending data is measured. He outlines mortgage and rent trends across Australia, New Zealand and the US. Short takes cover fixed versus variable loans, utility bill swings, and how households adjust budgets and forecast cashflow.

They tackle whether super is truly a gamble and how past market crashes affected balances. They explain new Super Payday timing rules and how to check lost contributions. They compare fixed and variable home loan trade-offs and preparing for a rate roll-off. They unpack interest-only loan risks and when that strategy might work. They explore defining your ‘enough’ number and testing a lower-work lifestyle.

James O'Reilly, financial adviser and co-host of the Australian Retirement Podcast, explains big 2026 retirement updates. He covers ASFA's refreshed lump sum and income benchmarks. He outlines Age Pension changes including deeming and asset limits. He reviews rising super contribution and transfer balance caps. Then he walks through a practical five-step retirement checklist.

Mitchell Sneddon, co-host of the Australian Investor Podcast and portfolio construction expert, breaks down ETF choices and allocation issues. He discusses hedged vs unhedged international ETFs and when currency matters. He covers whether ETF size and liquidity should influence picks. He explains aligning super and personal portfolios, investing structures for kids, and the risks of geared ETFs and chasing yield.

Alex Luck, financial adviser and co-founder of Everest Wealth Group who helps Australians with career, property and family planning. He talks about modelling cashflow and parental leave, Centrelink entitlements and childcare subsidies. They cover property timing, insurance and wills, plus practical tips on buffers, childcare alternatives and preparing business and household finances for a new child.

Tahli Cavagnino, senior adviser at Rask Advice and retirement specialist, breaks down key retirement decisions. She covers whether to use non-super savings before pension, timing and partial rollovers to optimise cashflow and Centrelink, transfer balance cap risks, why super funds merge, and using super for big health costs like dental. Short, practical guidance on structuring the transition to retirement.

Tom Wickenden, Senior Betashares ETF strategist, joins to build two themed $100,000 ETF portfolios with bold macro views. They debate China and Asia growth versus a hedge against US dominance. Topics include ETFs for momentum, emerging markets, thematic plays like robotics and food, banks, energy-transition metals, credit strategies and bond allocation. Short, creative portfolio construction with a five-year horizon.

Jess Brady, financial adviser-turned-money educator and author of Get Growing, shares her four-stage gardening framework for wealth. She outlines Sprouted, Grounded, Thriving and Abundant in short, practical chunks. They discuss why money feels overwhelming, common behavioural “weeds” that stall progress, and simple routines to match your actions to your current stage.