A recent medical graduate working in the South Australian public sector approached Bartons Medical with a clear goal: to establish a solid financial footing early in their career. With access to salary packaging and a predictable pathway to earnings growth, they were ready to make informed decisions about their future.

challenges & needs

The doctor needed support with lodging their tax return, understanding how salary packaging affects borrowing capacity, and exploring options for purchasing a first home. They also wanted guidance on structuring the lending appropriately, protecting their income and future through insurance, and understanding the Super SA Triple S scheme – the default superannuation for public sector employees in South Australia.

bartons medical solution

The doctor met with a chartered accountant, financial advisor, and finance broker in a single, coordinated engagement. Their tax return was completed efficiently capturing all allowable deductions, with strategic guidance on how to structure their first property purchase. This informed the lending approach, allowing access to bespoke lending policies tailored for medical professionals – helping them enter the property market sooner.

They received education on using offset accounts and preparing their financial structure for future purchases, such as a larger home or investment property. The financial advisor conducted a comprehensive insurance needs analysis, creating a tailored portfolio to protect income, debts, and future family – recognising the multi-million dollar lifetime earning potential. The engagement also included general education on superannuation and a focused discussion on the unique benefits of the Super SA Triple S scheme.

outcome

With a clear plan and coordinated advice, the doctor gained confidence in their financial direction – setting the stage for long-term success, aligned with their career trajectory.

additional resources

In this two-part podcast series, Dr Isobel Marshall, a former Young Australian of the Year and intern in the South Australian public health system, sits down with our team to unpack the most common financial questions junior doctors face.

In the first episode, they explore the essentials: salary packaging, strategic HELP debt repayments, long-term investing, and how to make the most of tax-efficient superannuation options. In the second episode, the focus shifts to property – covering first home strategies, joint purchases, “rentvesting”, negative gearing, and the First Home Super Saver Scheme.

A senior medical specialist, approaching the peak of their earning potential, engaged Bartons Medical to help bring clarity and coordination to an increasingly complex financial landscape. With children, a strong net asset position, and significant debt levels, they were financially astute but time-poor – lacking the bandwidth to manage multiple advisors across tax, lending, and wealth.

challenges & needs

Despite earning well, the specialist was paying substantial tax, including Division 293 levies. Their insurance portfolio hadn’t been reviewed in years, and while they understood the conceptual benefits of superannuation – including Super SA’s Triple S scheme – they hadn’t actively engaged with it. They were aware of annual and lifetime contribution caps but hadn’t developed a strategy around them. With high debt levels and growing interest in SMSFs, they sought advice on tax efficiency, asset protection, debt structuring, superannuation, and long-term wealth creation.

bartons medical solution

We brought together a chartered accountant, financial advisor, and finance broker in a single, integrated engagement. The accountant reviewed their tax position and identified strategies to reduce taxable income, including super contributions within cap limits and restructuring deductible debt. This informed the finance broker’s approach to debt optimisation – refinancing and restructuring to improve cash flow and reduce interest costs.

The financial advisor conducted a full insurance review, updating coverage to reflect current income, liabilities, and family needs. We also explored the viability of an SMSF, comparing it with existing super arrangements and outlining how it could support broader investment goals. Education and strategy around Super SA Triple S were provided, including how to maximise its unique features while staying compliant with contribution caps.

outcome

With a clear plan and coordinated advice, the doctor gained confidence in their financial direction – setting the stage for long-term success, aligned with their career trajectory.

additional resources

In this podcast, Dr Paul Allcock joins us to explore how South Australian doctors can unlock major financial advantages through the Super SA Triple S fund.

They cover key strategies like salary sacrifice, spouse splitting, and managing contribution caps, while Dr Allcock shares how early planning helped him achieve financial independence. It’s a practical, insight-rich discussion for doctors looking to future-proof their finances.

A mid-career doctor transitioning from public to private practice, engaged Bartons Medical to help navigate the financial complexities of self-employment. With strong earnings, a young family, and aspirations to upgrade to a “forever home,” they were balancing high debt levels, rising living costs, and the financial demands of setting up a private practice.

challenges & needs

The shift to private practice introduced new tax obligations, including BAS and the need to provision for future liabilities – especially during the first year, when the “tax holiday” (the period between earning income and paying tax) can create a misleading sense of surplus cash flow. The doctor also required funding for start-up costs, including room fit-out and equipment purchases, and was unsure how best to structure this debt.

They had some income protection in place but hadn’t reviewed their broader insurance portfolio in years. Their Super SA Triple S fund remained untouched, and they were uncertain whether to retain it, roll it over, or consider an SMSF. While financially aware, they lacked the time to coordinate between multiple professionals and needed a streamlined, strategic approach.

bartons medical solution

We assembled a chartered accountant, financial advisor, and finance broker to deliver a coordinated plan. The accountant provided guidance on managing the “tax holiday,” helping the doctor avoid overcommitting cash flow and prepare for future tax obligations. We introduced the concept of converting “LDL debt” (bad debt – non-deductible, personal) into “HDL debt” (good debt – deductible, investment or business-related), particularly in the context of upgrading the family home and funding practice setup.

Our finance broker arranged commercial and equipment finance tailored to medical professionals, allowing the doctor to fund fit-out and startup costs without disrupting personal cash flow. Loans were structured to maximise deductibility and preserve flexibility for future borrowing.

The financial advisor conducted a full insurance review, updating cover to reflect current income, liabilities, and family needs. We also explored the viability of an SMSF, compared it with retaining the Triple S fund, and provided education on contribution caps and long-term super strategies.

outcome:

The doctor gained a clear, strategic plan that aligned tax, debt, super, and investment decisions – delivered efficiently by a team that understands the medical profession and the realities of private practice. With startup costs funded, tax obligations managed, and long-term wealth strategies in place, they were well-positioned for the next phase of their career.

A well-established medical practice approached Bartons Medical seeking strategic financial advice to support its next phase of growth. With multiple practitioners, increasing patient demand, and plans to expand premises and invest in new equipment, the practice needed comprehensive guidance on tax efficiency, commercial lending solutions, and complex investment structures. Notably, some of the owners were interested in leveraging their Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) to hold an interest in the new commercial property, adding a significant layer to the strategic financial plan.

challenges & needs

The practice was generating strong revenue but faced rising operational costs and substantial tax obligations. The owners needed to understand how to structure the business to minimise tax, manage cash flow effectively, and fund expansion without compromising day-to-day operations.

Their objectives were twofold: financing the acquisition of new, larger premises and upgrading their clinical equipment. A key consideration for some practice owners was the possibility of using their SMSFs to purchase the commercial property, which would then be leased back to the practice. This introduced the need for specialised advice to navigate the complexities of superannuation law and ensure full compliance, while still achieving their financial goals.

bartons medical solution

Our integrated team of specialist accountants and finance brokers delivered a cohesive strategy. The accountants optimised the practice’s corporate structure for tax efficiency, improving cash flow management and financial oversight.

Crucially, we provided expert advice on using Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) for the property acquisition. This involved structuring the purchase to be fully compliant with superannuation law and arranging specialised Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) for the SMSF investors.

Simultaneously, our finance brokers secured a tailored finance package for the remaining property share and new equipment. All lending was structured to maximise tax deductions and preserve working capital, providing a seamless financial foundation for the practice’s expansion.

outcome

The practice gained a clear financial roadmap for expansion, with tax and lending strategies aligned to support long-term sustainability. With expert guidance and efficient execution, the owners were able to focus on delivering patient care while confidently managing the business side of their practice.

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