Here are dependable ways to find top‑rated financial advisers in Australia, plus several examples of highly regarded advisers/firms and authoritative sources you can check.

Quick examples of highly regarded advisers/firms (sources below)

• Garth Hu (Morgan Stanley Wealth Management) — ranked #1 on the Australian/Barron’s Top 150 list. (theaustralian.com.au)
• Andrew Dunbar (Apt Wealth Partners) and Campbell Vidgen (Macquarie Private Wealth) — also highly ranked in the Barron’s/Australian Top 150. (theaustralian.com.au)
• Awarded planners and practices (examples): Andy Reynolds CFP® (FPA CFP® Professional of the Year), Alman Partners (FPA Professional Practice of the Year) — winners in FPA national awards. (faaa.au)
• Highly awarded independent firms (examples): Quantum Financial, ActOn Wealth — multiple industry awards/recognitions. (quantumfinancial.com.au)

Where these “top” names come from

• Barron’s/The Australian Top 150 list — ranks advisers by client assets, revenue, business quality and other measures; useful for seeing advisers who serve high‑net‑worth clients. (theaustralian.com.au)
• Financial Planning Association (FPA) awards — recognises individual planners and practices for professional standards and client outcomes. (faaa.au)
• Industry awards such as the IFA Excellence Awards and lists from AFR/Smart Investor and professional publications highlight leading practices. (quantumfinancial.com.au)

How to find and verify a top adviser (recommended steps)

1. Check the ASIC Financial Advisers Register (FAR) — confirms registration, qualifications, licence status and any bans or restrictions. This is essential. (asic.gov.au)
2. Look for professional credentials and awards — CFP®, FPA recognition, IFA Excellence Awards, AFR/Barron’s rankings are good signals. (faaa.au)
3. Read independent reviews and press coverage — reputable outlets (AFR, The Australian, industry publications) are more reliable than “pay‑to‑play” “top 10” advertorial lists. (theaustralian.com.au)
4. Ask about fees, conflicts and licence structure — avoid advisers who are evasive about fees or push proprietary products. The Australian/industry checklists offer strong guidance. (theaustralian.com.au)
5. Meet (or have a call with) 2–3 shortlisted advisers and compare their approach, written scope of advice, sample disclosure documents and ongoing fees.

If you want, I can:

• Pull the latest Barron’s/Australian Top 150 list entries for 2024–2025 and summarise the top Australian advisers named there. (theaustralian.com.au)
• Search for top advisers in a specific city or for a particular need (retirement planning, SMSF, wealth management).

Which would you prefer?