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Progressive Financial Planners

Progressive Financial Planners

5.0(55 reviews)See reviews ↓·Newcastle

About the company

Progressive Financial Planners Pty Ltd has been providing financial advice since 1996. Brad Downes is the Founder and Director of the business. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with over 29 years of experience. The team has grown to 13 dedicated and highly educated staff, including 3 financial advisers.

The business serves clients in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and further afield. The company is an authorised representative and credit representative of Akumin Financial Planning Pty Limited. Its main services are financial planning to protect and grow wealth.

What customers say

Based on genuine customer reviews

Superannuation guidance, retirement planning and life insurance reviews sit at the centre of the work described by clients of Progressive Financial Planners in Newcastle. Several customers describe long-standing relationships, some spanning close to two decades, built on advice that is thorough and easy to follow. Named staff recur throughout the feedback, with Georgia Waters, Sally Considine, Ross Buttonshaw and Brad singled out for their professionalism, warmth and the patience they show when explaining complicated financial matters.

A point made in several accounts is the personal nature of each meeting, where goals and circumstances are discussed in detail and clients feel heard rather than rushed. Several accounts note the diligence shown when superannuation problems arose, with the team working to resolve issues that had been created elsewhere.

First-time investors and those preparing pension applications acknowledge the clarity of the guidance they received and the confidence it gave them about the future. Communication before and after appointments is praised, as is the accessibility of the advisers when questions arise during yearly updates. Families note that plans were built around growing households, while others credit the firm with helping them retire in their early sixties. The warmth of the welcome and the family-like atmosphere describe the experience.

Reviews

Reviews are taken from publicly available sources.

NB
Nick Baker31 March 2026

Thanks Georgia for your help to efficiently setting up my finances to prepare for my pension application. My wife and I have been with Progressive Financial Planners for the best part of 20 years and have been efficient, reliable and friendly always. I would definitely recommend them as managers of anyone's future and present financial needs. We would not be where we are today if not for you guys, thank you.

MB
Mitchell Brittain27 March 2026

Brad was honestly fantastic to deal with. From the start, he took the time to really understand our situation and what we’re trying to achieve long term, rather than just pushing a quick outcome. He explained everything clearly and broke down multiple strategies for us, including keeping our current property vs selling, and actually showed us the real numbers behind each option. That gave us a much better understanding of the risks, especially around cash flow, construction costs, and overall debt, which we hadn’t fully considered before. What stood out most was how honest and transparent he was. There was zero pressure to move forward, and he genuinely just wanted us to make the right decision for our family. He also highlighted things like CGT implications and the importance of timing with our income, which gave us a lot more clarity moving forward. If you’re looking for someone who actually cares, explains things properly, and helps you see the bigger picture, I couldn’t recommend Brad enough.

CM
Carly Magnisalis18 March 2026

I was referred to Progressive Financial Planners from the Royal North Shore Hospital to make sense of my finances due to a metastatic cancer diagnosis. I have never had any interactions with a financial planner, and with huge financial pressures due to my diagnosis, I was stressed. BUT from my very first meeting with Georgia, I felt safe and, most importantly, heard. I don't have a lot, but the small amount I do have, Georgia, helped me make sense of my options, navigate superannuation and Centrelink, and put together a sound financial plan. Georgia demonstrated kindness, a real interest, and genuine care not only in my financial planning but also as a person. Every interaction with the admin staff was also kind and straightforward.

JJ
Jules J13 March 2026

It’s a huge decision to put your financial future into someone else’s hands but both Greg & I couldn’t have chosen better than Progressive Financial Planners in particular Brad & Georgia. Right from the very beginning we felt welcome, comfortable, confident and secure with them. With their expertise we have been able to both retire in our early 60’s with a plan for our future with complete confidence. At no time have we felt overwhelmed, everything is explained thoroughly and carefully. We would have no hesitation in recommending them and have done to friends and family.

RH
Ross Harris12 March 2026

It has been a pleasure dealing with Ross and the team at Progressive over the last years of our working life and now into retirement . Sound advice always given and communicated in an easy manner . Much appreciated Ross and Maryanne

TJ
Tanya Jones22 December 2025

Georgia Waters and the team at Progressive Financial Planners have been absolutely exceptional in guiding us as first-time investors. Their professionalism, knowledge, and genuine interest in achieving the best outcomes for their clients are truly commendable. From our initial meeting, we felt completely at ease. Georgia Waters took the time to understand our unique situation, needs, and long-term goals without once making us feel uncomfortable asking basic questions. Complex financial concepts were explained with patience and clarity, which empowered us to make informed and confident decisions about our future. We were particularly impressed by the personalised, tailored service and the detailed attention to our financial planning. We never felt pressured into making quick decisions or investing in products that weren't aligned with our objectives. Instead, we were presented with clear options and a structured plan that has already provided immense peace of mind and put us firmly on the path to financial security. For any first-time investors seeking expert, trustworthy, and empathetic guidance, we cannot recommend Georgia highly enough. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.

B(
Brightside (Jesse Knaus)15 December 2025

Georgia was (and is) amazing! She helped us with every facet of our daily finances. She also helped plan for the future of our growing family. Couldn't recommend her and Progressive highly enough! Thorough, great communication and super helpful. We had no idea what to expect and Georgia made it so easy to understand.

Financial advisers & planners in Newcastle compared

Ordered by rating, weighted by the number of reviews — businesses with only a handful of reviews do not jump to the top automatically. 12 businesses in this category in Newcastle are compared.

RankProviderRatingReviewsOpen Sat.
1Coastal Advisory Australia - Newcastle★ 5,085No
2Coastal Advisory Australia (Head Office)★ 5,069No
3Progressive Financial Planners (this page)★ 5,055No
4Ironbark Advice Newcastle★ 5,025No
5KLM Financial Planners★ 5,013No
Contact
+61249472233www.profp.com.au45 King St, Warners Bay NSW 2282
Working hours
Monday08:30–17:00
Tuesday08:30–17:00
Wednesday08:30–17:00
Thursday08:30–17:00
Friday08:30–17:00
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed