Mining incomes can be strong but variable, particularly for contractors and FIFO workers. Planning for variable income usually involves building cash reserves, structuring debt so it can absorb a quieter year, and contributing to super in good years when capacity allows. Insurance and a conservative ongoing budget also play important roles.

Most mining sector workers are in industry or retail super funds with default investment options that may not match their actual time horizon or risk tolerance. Reviewing fund choice, investment option, contribution level, and insurance inside super is a common starting point.

Family farm or grazing property succession involves the same core questions everywhere: how to fairly treat children on and off the property, how to fund retirement for the exiting generation, how to handle tax on any transfer, and how to keep the operation viable through the transition. Each family's answer is different. We work alongside your solicitor and accountant on structure.

Variable income across a career makes retirement planning slightly more complex because you need to account for years of higher and lower contributions. The fundamentals stay the same: project a retirement income need, build the asset base to support it, manage tax and structure efficiency along the way, and adjust as circumstances change.

Income protection is particularly important for workers in physically demanding roles or where injury could end a career. Life and total and permanent disability (TPD) cover provide protection for dependants. Trauma cover provides a lump sum on diagnosis of serious illness. The right combination depends on income, dependants, debt, and existing employer-provided cover.

Many small business owners have most of their wealth in the business. Diversifying into super, addressing personal insurance, separating personal and business finance, and planning for eventual sale or succession are the typical starting points. The small business CGT concessions can be significant on sale if conditions are met.