LENSELL is disrupting the Australian model-portfolio market!
We believe in offering investors greater transparency, flexibility, and affordability for high-quality investment strategies. That’s why we are giving direct access to adviser-grade model portfolios for Australian investors.
Until now, professionally built model portfolios have primarily only been available to financial advisers and licensed wealth platforms. These models are often implemented inside managed-account or wrap structures, meaning investors must hand over their assets, pay a percentage of funds under management (FUM), and relinquish flexibility to adjust holdings. In contrast, our offering delivers model portfolios as information-rich templates with clear holdings and target weights, optimised quarterly, which you can implement yourself and modify as desired.
Key Differences and USPs
- Information-only Pricing (not a percentage of FUM)
Many model-portfolio providers in Australia operate via managed account or separately managed account structures. For example, large institutions such as BlackRock offer “Model Portfolios” designed for advisers and implemented via platforms or SMAs. These often entail ongoing management, custody of assets and a fee structure tied to assets under management. Our model portfolios, however, are delivered as templates. This means that the investor buys the model data (holdings, weights, optimisation) and then chooses how or where to execute, thereby avoiding the AUM-based fee layer. - Flexibility and Customisation by the Investor
In managed solutions, once the model is selected, investors frequently have limited ability to tweak holdings, add extra positions or mix multiple models. For instance, many adviser models are deployed via wrap/SMA platforms which lock in the model structure. Research in Australia shows that while off-the-shelf models are commonly used by advisers, the customisation levels for clients remain limited. Our offer allows investors to adopt a model as is, adjust weights, overlay additional holdings and combine multiple models, all while having full transparency of the holdings and optimisation history.
Why This Matters for Investors
Investors often face two unattractive options: attempt to create a portfolio themselves without professional design and risk behavioural mistakes, or hand over assets to a managed account with less control and higher fees. Research shows that Australian investors are increasingly aware of model portfolios: a recent study by State Street Global Advisors found awareness among Australians rose from 47% in 2019 to 67% by 2024, and more than half of those aware reported having assets in model portfolios via advisers.1
By making model portfolios directly available and flexible, we believe it can help bridge the gap between adviser-only solutions and purely DIY investing. This delivers better design, lower cost and greater personal control.
Market Context and Opportunity for Investors
The growth of model portfolios for advisers in Australia has been well documented. Research shows that model portfolios support adviser productivity, cost-efficiency and client outcomes.2 Yet, the typical distribution remains via advisers and platforms, rather than direct-to-investor channels. For investors, many model offerings either require platform minimums, adviser relationships, or come wrapped into managed account fees. There is a clear opportunity to serve self-directed investors with high-quality model strategies that provide transparency and flexibility.
Counter-Arguments and How we Address Them
“Managed accounts are simpler for investors because the provider handles execution, rebalancing and administration.”
We recognise this. That’s why our models come with implementation guidance, quarterly rebalance signals and recommended execution pathways. We are open to partner integrations with brokers or execution platforms so investors may optionally outsource implementation if they choose.
“If you pay only for information (not management) then accountability may be weaker.”
We address this by requiring model providers to publish holdings disclosures, optimisation histories, change logs and performance attribution. Investors and platforms can see when the model changed, why, and how it performed historically. This transparency strengthens accountability and trust.
“Flexibility may lead to inconsistent implementation or investor drift away from the intended strategy.”
True, however, the alternative is often a locked-down model where the investor has little input. With our structure, we provide a baseline professionally built portfolio and clear documentation of its rationale; from there the investor retains control, with visibility. Flexibility is empowered by transparency.
Next Steps
Ready to take control of your portfolio design? You can browse our models, review documented holdings, risk profiles, target weights, and optimisation updates, and then implement the strategy via your preferred broker or platform.
We are actively planning partnerships with brokers and execution platforms to offer seamless implementation support. To get started and explore the full potential of our information-only models, visit the LENSELL Marketplace today.
All information provided by LENSELL is intended for general informational purposes only. Past performance is not an indication or guarantee of future performance. General Disclaimer available at: https://lensellgroup.com/disclaimer.html
- State Street Global Advisors, “Australian Investors Benefit from Adviser Use of Model Portfolios, State Street Global Advisors’ New Research Reveals,” AdviserVoice, December 2024. Available at: https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2024/12/australian-investors-benefit-from-adviser-use-of-model-portfolios-state-street-global-advisors-new-research-reveals/ ↩︎
- IFA, “Providing the cake: Model portfolios linked to greater cost satisfaction,” February 2024. Available at: https://www.ifa.com.au/news/35147-providing-the-cake-model-portfolios-linked-to-greater-cost-satisfaction ↩︎
Disclaimer:
LENSELL GROUP Pty Ltd, ACN 646 467 941, trading as LENSELL, is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Foresight Analytics & Ratings Pty Ltd (Australian Financial Services Licence No. 494552). All information provided to you by LENSELL is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not consider your individual financial circumstances and should not be relied upon without consulting a licensed investment professional or adviser.
The content on this website and in any of its applications is not a financial offer, recommendation, or advice to engage in any transaction. Investment products referenced in our software or marketing literature carry inherent risks, and you should note that past performance does not guarantee any future results. In all our modelling, no transaction costs or management fees are factored into performance analysis.
The information on our website or our mobile application is not intended to be an inducement, offer or solicitation to anyone in any jurisdiction in which LENSELL is not regulated or able to market its services.
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