Dean Hutchins

CEO, Founder & Technical Strategist

• 2026 SMSF Adviser of the Year, SMSF Adviser
• 2015 Regional Winner, AMPFP Adviser of the Year
• 2014 Inaugural Winner, NowInfinity Best SMSF Strategy Award

I founded Diversified Financial Planners (DFP) in 1998, building a financial planning business that services clients nationwide, all throughout Australia, with offices in Frankston and Korumburra, Vic.

With 28 years in financial planning, I specialise in SMSFs, high-net-worth clients, estate planning and complex strategies. My focus on SMSFs began in 2005, recognising their potential to deliver tailored strategies and meaningful value.

Over the years, I've built a team of highly capable, caring and client-focused professionals who share my commitment to quality advice, exceptional service and lasting relationships. While sophisticated strategies and SMSFs remain a core focus, we strive to deliver great advice to clients with more straightforward needs.

In 2012, I experienced a serious illness that fundamentally changed my outlook on life. I was young, fit and healthy, yet within just two weeks, I went from being physically active to paralysed and confined to bed.

Like most people, I never imagined something like that could happen to me.

That experience reinforced something I now bring to every client relationship: life doesn't always go to plan.

Financial planning is about much more than accumulating wealth and preparing for retirement. It's about creating the financial freedom to enjoy life along the way, while still protecting your future.

My philosophy: Plan for tomorrow, but don't forget to live today. It's about finding the right balance.

Practicing what I preach, I snowboard, ski, scuba dive, hike, travel and indulge my obsession with vintage Star Wars collectables... I try to experience as much of life as possible.

I'm passionate about helping people, solving complex problems and building genuine, long-term relationships.

At Diversified Financial Planners, we provide comprehensive, ongoing financial advice rather than one-off transactions. We work with clients who recognise the value of professional advice and want a trusted adviser alongside them as their circumstances and goals evolve.

Our team provides advice across a broad range of areas, including SMSFs, superannuation, retirement planning, aged care, estate planning, insurance, intergenerational wealth transfer and Centrelink.

We also assist clients navigating significant financial events, including inheritances, lottery winnings, redundancies, relationship separations and other major changes in their financial circumstances.

Whether dealing with an industry or retail super fund, master trust, wrap or SMSF, our focus remains the same: getting the structure right, implementing the right strategies and delivering genuine value.

Highly qualified, experienced and technically proficient, I bring a wealth of knowledge to every client relationship.

My motto: "Never die wondering!"