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How to Become an Estate Planner: Australian Careers in Finance

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What is a Estate Planner?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

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What is a Estate Planner?

An estate planner helps individuals and families manage their assets and prepare for the future. They advise on wills, trusts, and tax strategies to protect wealth and provide for loved ones.

Estate planners look at a client’s full financial picture. They review assets, debts, family needs, and tax obligations. Then they build a plan for how wealth will pass on after the client dies.

Daily tasks include client meetings, drafting legal documents, and working with lawyers and accountants. Estate planners also review and update plans as client needs change. They keep up with laws around succession, taxation, and superannuation.

This career suits people who enjoy helping others plan for the long term. It combines legal knowledge, financial skill, and strong communication. Demand for estate planning is growing as Australia’s population ages.

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Career snapshots For Estate Planners

Estate planners in Australia typically earn between $65,000 and $147,000 per year. The average is around $117,000 (ERI Economic Research Institute, 2026). Pay rises with experience, qualifications, and client complexity.

Most estate planners work full-time in law firms, financial planning firms, or accounting firms. Jobs and Skills Australia (2025) rates the Financial Investment Adviser occupation at moderate future demand. Estate planning roles sit within this occupation group. Australia’s ageing population will drive steady growth in estate planning demand.

What will I do?

Estate planners help clients put their financial affairs in order so their wishes are carried out after they pass. The work blends legal knowledge, financial planning, and regular client contact. Each day brings a mix of consultations, document work, and professional collaboration.

  • Client Consultations – Meet with clients to understand their goals, assets, and family needs.
  • Will and Trust Drafting – Prepare legal documents such as wills, testamentary trusts, and powers of attorney.
  • Tax Planning – Advise clients on ways to reduce tax on their estate, including capital gains and superannuation strategies.
  • Asset Review – Look at a client’s full asset base, including property, investments, and superannuation, to inform the plan.
  • Legal Compliance – Keep plans up to date with changes in succession law, tax law, and superannuation rules.
  • Professional Liaison – Work with solicitors, accountants, and financial advisers to deliver a complete estate plan.
  • Plan Reviews – Update client plans when circumstances change, such as marriage, divorce, or the acquisition of new assets.
  • Client Education – Explain estate planning concepts clearly so clients can make informed decisions.

What skills do I need?

Estate planners need a solid mix of legal knowledge and people skills. They must understand the laws around wills, trusts, succession, and taxation in Australia. Attention to detail is key, as errors in legal documents can cause serious problems for clients.

Strong communication is just as important as technical skill. Estate planners break down complex legal and financial ideas for clients in plain language. They also listen well to understand each client’s goals and family needs. Building trust is central to the job.

Skills/attributes

  • Knowledge of wills, trusts, and succession law
  • Understanding of Australian tax and superannuation rules
  • Attention to detail in legal documents
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Active listening and empathy
  • Analytical thinking to assess complex financial situations
  • Organisational skills to manage multiple client files
  • Ability to work with lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Problem-solving to create tailored estate plans

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.