BT Academy

In this episode of TechKnow, Bryan Ashenden unpacks the 2026–27 Federal Budget and explains why, despite limited direct changes, it may still be considered a ‘super Budget’ for superannuation. Bryan explores how new tax measures – particularly changes to capital gains tax (CGT) and the introduction of Division 296 – compare favourably to investment structures outside super, reinforcing super’s ong...

In this episode, host Bryan Ashenden is joined by Keddie Waller, Policy Manager from the SMSF Association to unpack the upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) reforms and what they mean for financial advisers. The discussion explores key changes effective from 31 March and 1 July 2026, including Item 54 obligations, Tranche 2 designated services and governance req...

In part 2 of the TechKnow podcast on the regulatory change agenda for 2026, Bryan Ashenden, Head of Financial Literacy and Advocacy, BT Financial Group, and Blake Briggs, CEO of the Financial Services Council explore the progress of the Quality of Advice Review (QAR) and the Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) reforms, as well as examining the emerging concept of a new class of adviser des...

In this first TechKnow podcast of 2026, Bryan Ashenden is joined by Blake Briggs, CEO of the Financial Services Council to discuss the regulatory and policy developments shaping the year ahead for advisers. The conversation explores CSLR, the growing focus on innovative retirement income solutions and the potential for tax and superannuation reform in the Federal Budget. Disclaimer: Information cu...

In this final TechKnow podcast for 2025, Bryan Ashenden is joined by the rest of the BT Technical Services team – Tim Howard, Matt Manning, and Michael Tran – to reflect on a year of significant regulatory and legislative changes in Australia’s financial advice landscape. The team reviews the impact of new reforms and regulatory measures, and discusses practical implications for advisers and their...

In this month’s episode of TechKnow, Michael Tran from the BT Technical Services Team is joined by Lisa Haley, Senior Financial Adviser at Apt Wealth Partners to delve into the most significant aged care reforms Australia has seen in over a decade. With sweeping changes commencing on 1 November 2025 come new complexities for advisers and families alike. Lisa shares her insights and practical wisdo...

In this episode of the TechKnow podcast, Bryan Ashenden unpacks the Government’s revised Division 296 tax proposal, announced on 13 October 2025. Bryan explores what’s new, what remains to be clarified, and what advisers need to know ahead of the 1 July 2026 commencement. TechKnow Podcast disclaimer: Disclaimer: Information current as at 22 October 2025. This TechKnow podcast has been prepared by...

In this episode of the TechKnow podcast, Tim Howard from BT Technical Services leads the team in a discussion of recent and topical questions that advisers have been raising. These range from possible changes to Division 296 and changes to Centrelink deeming rates to what to do with legacy pension arrangements. TechKnow Podcast disclaimer: Disclaimer: Information current as at 16 September 2025. T...

The death of a person is often a traumatic time for all involved and dealing with the financial side of things can be difficult. In this episode, host Bryan Ashenden, BT's Head of Financial Literacy & Advocacy is joined by Lauren Leaney and Michelle Grant from BT’s Estates and Claims Management team. Together, they explore how advisers can support clients through the complexities of superannuation...

With the start of a new financial year now here, in many instances it’s time to reset and look at what new opportunities this provides for clients. From changes to a range of thresholds, indexation of some payments, and new rules in some instances, there are a wide range of opportunities for you, as advisers, to discuss with your clients. Disclaimer: Information current as at 10 July 2025. This Te...

Division 296 is coming. With its significant win in the recent Federal election, the Government is on track to introduce legislation for this measure, possibly within the first few sitting days when Parliament resumes in July. What should clients be doing, and when should they do it by? Disclaimer: Information current as at 11 June 2025. This podcast has been prepared by BT Portfolio Services Limi...

The extent of Labor’s win at the recent Australian Federal Election has surprised many commentators. In this latest episode of TechKnow, Bryan Ashenden and Matt Manning from BT’s Technical Services team delve into the possible impacts this victory will have on the financial advice industry. TechKnow Podcast disclaimer: Disclaimer: Information current as at 8 May 2025. This TechKnow podcast has bee...

As we gear up for the next Federal election, in our latest TechKnow podcast we look at what we know about the major parties’ stance on various financial services related topics, as well as taking a look at the area of margin lending with a discussion between Matt Manning from the BT Technical Services team and our special guest, David Morrissey, BT’s head of Margin Lending and Online Products. Tec...

Bryan chats with James Dakin from Park Street Group about the great intergenerational wealth transfer in which trillions of dollars of wealth are expected to transfer between generations over the coming years. Bryan also looks at what the Federal Election (and 2025 Federal Budget) might bring. Find out how you and your clients can be preparing for these significant events. TechKnow Podcast disclai...

There is no doubt that 2025 will be an interesting year for the financial advice profession, with previous measures by the Government still making their way through the parliamentary process, a Federal Budget potentially due on 25 March, an election by 17 May and an unknown outcome to the election which may further impact the reform agenda. Join the BT Technical Services team as they make their pr...

Recently the Government has made a new announcement regarding the Quality of Advice Review and its Delivering Better Financial Outcomes response. Has this response delivered what the advice profession needed, or has it raised more questions? In this podcast, we will look at the announcement in detail to explore what is known and what remains unknown at this time. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for a...

In our final episode of the year, we chat to Viviane Parsons, founder and practice director of boutique firm, Lux Financial Planning. Viviane reveals how empowering others – whether by helping clients, providing support services or advocating for young women entering the industry – is not only good for business but benefits the financial advice industry as a whole. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for...

In mid-September, major aged care reforms were introduced into parliament. This podcast will summarise the impending changes to residential aged care fees. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They must not be made available to any person and any information in them must not be communicated to any person without the prior written consent of BT, part of the Westpac Banking Corporation...

In this episode, Tara Sutton, State Director at BT chats with Tess Uncle, Director of Wybenga Financial about how she supports mid-life female clients as they navigate career building and generational family pressures. For many it’s the busiest time of their lives and Tess encourages these clients to outsource the ‘mental load’ of planning for future security. Helping them prioritise setting a goa...

Common and interesting questions relating to superannuation death benefits. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They must not be made available to any person and any information in them must not be communicated to any person without the prior written consent of BT, part of the Westpac Banking Corporation. The views expressed in this webinar are those of the presenters alone unless o...

Information for advice professionals only. Introducing our new thought leadership series, Diversify. This series aims to empower Australian financial advisers with practical insights into private markets. In our inaugural podcast, we sit down with Cameron Joyce, Head of Research Insights at Preqin, to discuss key trends in private wealth. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They mus...

Certainly not our first rodeo, but with the quarter coming to an end, and Parliament having risen for a few weeks, this podcast will provide a summary of where various regulatory changes are at, and what might we expect to see for the rest of 2024 given some recent announcements. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They must not be made available to any person and any information in...

Hear from the experts, Karen McLeod, Ethical Investment Advisers and Hari Balkrishna, T. Rowe Price, the key differences between impact, ESG and other ethical investing terms. And why impact stands out. This podcast was created through T. Rowe Price’s partnership with Ensombl. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They must not be made available to any person and any information in th...

Need some tips on having better impact conversations? Specialist advisers Justin Medcalf and Tim Fitzpatrick discuss strategies for engaging clients in impact investing discussions and understanding their preferences. This podcast was created through T. Rowe Price’s partnership with Ensombl. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They must not be made available to any person and any in...

So how do you integrate impact investing into an investment philosophy and reporting for clients? Expert advisers Karen McLeod, Ethical Investment Advisers and James Baird, JustInvest share their tips. This podcast was created through T. Rowe Price’s partnership with Ensombl. Disclaimer: The podcasts are for adviser use only. They must not be made available to any person and any information in the...