TAL Risk Academy unveils 2026 program, to give advisers access to the education they want when it suits them

Financial advisers now have more ways to sharpen their skills and support clients, with TAL Risk Academy’s 2026 program featuring over 75 courses across technical, ethical and emerging topics. New this year is the Client Experience stream, designed to make the insurance journey more efficient from application to claim.

Built around the real decisions advisers face every day, the enhanced program supports advisers to build confidence and deepen capability - whether that’s reskilling, re-engaging with risk, or strengthening existing expertise.

Beau Riley, TAL General Manager, Retail Sales & New Business, Individual Life, said “Australians are living and working differently, and their advice needs are changing. Through TAL Risk Academy, we continue to invest in education that equips advisers and their teams with both technical expertise and practical skills to meet their clients’ needs now and in the future.”

Since its launch in 2015, TAL Risk Academy has provided thousands of advice professionals with almost 194,000 CPD hours, reinforcing TAL’s long-standing commitment to strengthening advice capability across the profession.

“Our commitment is about more than CPD. It’s about supporting a profession that plays a critical role in protecting Australians, while supporting the long-term sustainability of risk advice,” Riley said.

The 2026 program spans six learning streams - Foundations, Professional Year, Advice, Business Management, Working with TAL, and the newly introduced Client Experience stream. The new stream is designed for advisers, paraplanners and support staff, with practical tools, guidance and strategies for meeting clients’ insurance needs.

Jason Bamford, TAL Risk Academy National Manager, said “This year’s program reflects adviser feedback and the practical needs of advice businesses from administrative staff to those navigating the Professional Year. We’ve built content that supports day-to-day confidence - from insurance fundamentals and technical deep dives, through to client experience, technology, ethics, tax and cyber.”

“With a mix of masterclasses, workshops, webinars and on-demand learning, advisers can go deep where they need to, or dip in when time allows. It’s flexible, practical and designed to fit how advice businesses really operate.”

Trent Bacon, Head of Advice, Skye Wealth, said “TAL Risk Academy, alongside PY Manager makes navigating the Professional Year a breeze for the candidate and simple for managers.”

“Along with the ease of logging hours, other things that stand out are the multitude of CPD hours, exam preparation topics and ability to log goals which all allow users to be on top of everything in order to complete their Professional Year in control."

Highlights of the first half of the 2026 calendar include three dedicated focus months:

• March – AI Month: Refreshing advisers’ approach to technology with business tools and practical ways to use AI technology.
• May – Ethics Month: Returning with new case studies and practical guidance.
• June – Tax Month: Supporting Tax (Financial) Advice CPD requirements through insurance-focused learning.

Enhancements to the TAL Risk Academy learning platform also mean that advisers can easily search course by CPD area to help meet their targets.

The majority of TAL Risk Academy courses remain free of charge, with proceeds from paid masterclasses donated to the Australian Business Community Network (ABCN) - a partnership that has contributed close to $900,000 to support educational opportunities for young Australians.

For more information, download the 2026 Course Guide or advisers can contact their local TAL Business Development Manager.