In a statement welcoming the launch of a joint financial advice offering from Shartru and Resi Mortgage Corporation, Dr Hewson said the rise of the SMSF sector was making professional financial advice more important.

“With around 75 per cent of self-managed superfund trustees not using a financial adviser to help with their investment strategy we believe there is a looming crisis in Australia,” he said.

“Many are not adequately insured and may be retiring without a properly diversified investment portfolio,” he added.

The joint venture, reported by ifa sister title InvestorDaily today, will help bridge the advice gap for direct property investors, Dr Hewson said.

“We know many of these Australians are favourable to property investing, so we will be building on this to give clients a more balanced asset allocation and portfolio,” he said.

“We believe the match of the expertise of both our groups will be of significant benefit to our existing and prospective clients.”

The new venture – Resi Financial Services – will see Shartru-affiliated and qualified financial planners working alongside Resi’s existing mortgage specialists in retail franchises.

The project has been trialled iin the Sutherland franchise in suburban Sydney since February and will be rolled out progressively across the country over the next 12 months.