The Money Doctors

The structure used to hold an investment can have a significant long-term impact on tax, flexibility, asset protection and wealth creation outcomes. Two people can invest in exactly the same asset and achieve very different financial results simply because of how those investments were structured from the beginning.  In the first of this two-part series, Ricky Caldow and Mitch McKeown, Direct...

Tax time is just around the corner – and so it’s worth understanding ahead of time what you can legitimately claim. And, no, it’s not about maximising deductions at all costs. It’s about being able to clearly justify every expense and ensuring it directly relates to earning your income.  The Bongiorno Group’s Director Nick Fennessy and Tax Manager Chantelle Turne...

Planning an overseas fellowship can shape a medical career, but poor tax planning can create expensive surprises. From tax residency and worldwide income to investment properties, private health insurance and double tax agreements, the financial implications of working overseas are often misunderstood.  The Bongiorno Group’s Directors Ricky Caldow and Mitch McKeown unpack the practical...

Insurance only works when it evolves with your life. From rising incomes and growing debt to children, career changes and mounting premiums, reviewing your cover regularly can mean the difference between being properly protected and paying for insurance that no longer fits your needs.  The Bongiorno Group’s Matt Homewood and Tom Will unpack the key triggers for reviewing income protecti...

The Federal Budget could reshape the financial landscape for doctors, business owners and investors for years to come. While none of the major reforms are law yet, the proposed changes to capital gains tax, negative gearing and discretionary trusts have already sparked urgent conversations across the financial sector.  Bongiorno Group directors Nick Fennessy and Mitch McKeown break down the b...

Strong rental demand and infrastructure investment are reshaping Australia’s property landscape beyond Victoria, but elevated prices and rising optimism warrant caution. Property strategist Julian Muldoon of 1Group and the Bongiorno Group’s Ricky Caldow examine the momentum across Queensland, Sydney’s western corridor, Adelaide and key regional centres. They explore the sustainab...

Long-term wealth in property is built on strategic asset selection, not short-term sentiment. Property advisor Julian Muldoon of 1Group, joins the Bongiorno Group’s Ricky Caldow to examine the Victorian commercial property landscape. They explore the case for light industrial assets, the challenges facing retail, planning changes affecting medical practices, and why Melbourne may present com...

Uncertainty in interest rates is not just a market issue, it is a personal financial decision point for every borrower. With inflation still above target and global pressures influencing the outlook, the path forward for interest rates remains unclear.  Jack Will, Finance Manager at The Bongiorno Group, is joined by Senior Finance Consultant Mark Bremner and Director Nick Fennessy to unpack t...

Market sentiment does not always reflect underlying opportunity. While many Victorian investors are looking interstate, selected Melbourne and regional pockets are showing renewed growth, particularly in affordable, infrastructure-backed corridors.  Property advisor Julian Muldoon of 1Group joins the Bongiorno Group’s Ricky Caldow to unpack current trends, including yield versus capital...

Efforts to prevent, treat and ultimately cure cancer rely not only on clinical excellence, but also on sustained investment in research. Tour de Cure, an Australian charity dedicated to funding cancer research, prevention and support programs, has raised more than $150 million and helped deliver hundreds of research breakthroughs across the country.  Sports broadcaster and former Sunrise team...

An unwelcome surprise can arrive at tax time, particularly for doctors whose income has increased during the year. The Medicare Levy Surcharge can catch trainees and junior doctors by surprise when they exceed the threshold through overtime and penalty rates.  The Bongiorno Group’s Nicolas Pereira and Chantelle Turner clarify when the surcharge applies, how it is calculated, and the rol...

Soon, employers will be expected to pay superannuation to their employees at the same time as wages. This change, known as Payday Super, becomes mandatory from 1 July 2026 and represents a once-in-a-generation reform to the superannuation system. The reform has major implications for practice owners and employers, particularly those running weekly or fortnightly payrolls, as late payments attract...

Retirement is one of the most significant transitions in a professional career, yet it is often delayed or under-planned. The Bongiorno Groups Jim Tsirtsakis and Trevor Baxter explore what retirement truly means — beyond simply stepping away from work. They discuss the importance of defining purpose and lifestyle goals, aligning business exit strategies with personal objectives, and ensuring...

A clear investment plan begins long before any money enters the market. New investors who define their goals, diversify effectively and stay disciplined through market shifts give themselves the strongest foundation for long-term success. Beatrice Yeo, Investment Strategist for the Multi-Asset Solutions Business at BlackRock, outlines the essential principles every first-time investor should under...

Everyone at the Bongiorno Group would like to wish you a joyful Christmas and a successful start to 2026. As the festive and summer period rolls around, The Money Doctors will be taking a brief seasonal pause — but we won’t be away for long. We return on January 13 with our first episode of 2026. Until then, enjoy the break, stay safe, and from all of us at the Bongiorno Group —...

Social media has become one of the most effective ways for medical professionals to build trust, visibility and genuine connection – when it’s used with intention and care. Family lawyer Vic Rajah shares how the landscape has shifted from traditional media to digital platforms, and why clinicians should view themselves as a brand.  Vic explains how different demographics use Faceb...

Higher uncertainty and greater volatility may define the current investment market, but this environment also presents meaningful opportunities for informed investors. Beatrice Yeo, Investment Strategist for the Multi-Asset Solutions Business at BlackRock, explains why long-term structural “megaforces” such as artificial intelligence, geopolitical fragmentation and demographic divergen...

Blended families are increasingly common in Australia, but they can make estate planning complex. Without a clear will or structure in place, questions of inheritance can quickly lead to conflict. Family lawyer Vic Rajah discusses with the Bongiorno Group’s Chantelle Turner how blended families can plan effectively using wills, testamentary trusts, and neutral executors. He explains the impo...

Strong leadership in medicine requires both clinical insight and a passion for advocacy — and Simon Judkins brings both to his new role as President of AMA Victoria.  In this episode, the Bongiorno Group’s Executive Consultant Trevor Baxter speaks with Dr Simon Judkins, Director of Emergency Medicine at Echuca Regional Health and a respected voice in healthcare reform. With a care...

Serving on a board offers medical professionals a unique way to extend their expertise beyond clinical practice, contribute to the community, and broaden their leadership skills. But with the opportunity comes responsibility. Directors are entrusted with governance, strategy, and risk oversight, often in complex and sensitive environments.  Lawyer and experienced board chair Vic Rajah explain...

Having an up-to-date will is essential – but understanding whether to include a testamentary trust can be just as important. These trusts can offer asset protection, oversight for vulnerable beneficiaries, and potential tax benefits, but they also bring complexity and ongoing costs that may not suit every family.  To unpack this further, Ricky Caldow, Director at the Bongiorno Group, sp...

A will is one of the most important documents a person can have – but it’s often overlooked until it’s too late. If you have assets, a family, or even a single property, you should already have one.  Ricky Caldow, Director at the Bongiorno Group, is joined by Jackson Barrett, founder and principal lawyer at Barrett + Co Legal, who explains the essentials of will-making: who...

Having income protection in place is one thing—knowing it will deliver when you need it most is another. The Bongiorno Group’s Ricky Caldow and Mitch McKeown return to discuss a real-life income protection claim involving one of their medical clients. The case highlights the critical role insurance plays in supporting professionals through serious health challenges. They walk through t...

What if your most important asset isn’t what you think it is? It’s not your house, your car, or even your investment portfolio. In this episode, we dive into the kind of asset that often gets overlooked – but losing it could change everything. Matthew Homewood, Financial Consultant, and Tom Will, Risk Adviser at The Bongiorno Group, reveal how doctors can protect what really matt...

Think you’re on top of your tax, but then get hit with a surprise bill? You’re not alone. The Bongiorno Group’s Chantelle Turner and Helen Cheng break down the mystery of PAYG instalments – what they are, who needs to pay them, and how to avoid the dreaded “catch-up” payment. Whether you’re a doctor with private billings or a sole trader with ABN income, u...