Regulatory Updates

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) has shifted from being, until relatively recently, a theoretical possibility to now a practical reality that is …

See Bills introduced to Parliament, or exposure draft legislation released for consultation.

Deferred sales model class exemption extension. The Government has released draft regulations to extend for a further 5 years the …

ASIC warns of emails impersonating ASIC

ASIC is warning the financial services industry to be on the lookout for email …

AUSTRAC has released its regulatory priorities for 2026-2027, outlining its plan to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious …

As you are probably already aware, AUSTRAC’s annual compliance reporting period has changed from a calendar year to a financial …

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (“Committee”) issued its report on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment …

AUSTRAC Fintel Alliance’s Operation Claw had identified coordinated mortgage fraud and systemic weaknesses across Australia’s lending sector. The project involved …

AUSTRAC suspended Cryptolink Pty Ltd’s virtual asset service provider registration for three months from Sunday 9 August 2026. AUSTRAC took …

ASIC cancelled the Australian credit licence of Zenoz Enterprises Pty Ltd on the grounds that it had ceased to engage …

ASIC and APRA have urged financial market entities to move from gaining awareness of the risks of frontier AI to …

ASIC has released its 2026-27 Corporate Plan which sets out ASIC’s strategic priorities for the next financial year and beyond. …

From 1 July 2027, companies will be required to provide ASIC with director identification numbers. Director IDs will need to …

ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant spoke recently at the Conexus Retirement Leaders’ Summit held in Canberra.

She observed that:

• ASIC is …

The Federal Court made declarations that Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd and Netwealth Investments Limited contravened the obligation to act …

ASIC has issued a warning to all Australians that a quick online search is not sufficient to verify whether an …

Between March and June 2026, ASIC concluded a targeted surveillance of nine entities offering short-dated exchange traded options, futures and …

Fiducian Investment Management Services Limited was ordered by the New South Wales Supreme Court to pay a $7.3 million penalty. …

Financial reporting misconduct, including the failure to lodge financial reports, is one of ASIC’s 2026 enforcement priorities. (See HN Hub …

AFCA’s Lead Ombudsman Investments and Advice has published a new video answering common questions received from consumers about the …

The government announced a package of reforms aimed at strengthening consumer protection and building resilience in the superannuation and financial …

ASIC suspended a number of AFS licences recently for a range of reasons.

GFA Capital Markets Ltd

ASIC has suspended …

ASIC’s enforcement action against service providers involved in the First Guardian and Shield fund collapses is continuing with proceedings …

The FSCP released the outcome of a number of cases during the month.

The Panel issued a written direction for …

The Australian Signals Directorate and The Australian Institute of Company Directors have jointly published guidance for boards of directors which …

ASIC published new guidance for professional year candidates, their supervisors and AFS licensees. The new guidance is found in Information …

ASIC has foreshowed the following changes to the Net Tangible Assets requirement for the operators of certain retail investment products: …

In the case of Puleo v Bendigo and Adelaide Court Limited, the Supreme Court of Victoria was asked to …

The Federal Court has found that Telstra Super contravened its obligations regarding its internal dispute resolution (‘IDR’) procedures.  However, ASIC …

See Bills introduced to Parliament, or exposure draft legislation released for consultation.

Changes to NTA requirements for responsible entities. This ASIC Consultation seeks feedback on options for increasing the net tangible assets …

ASIC secures record level of penalties

For the 2026 financial year, ASIC announced that it had secured court orders totalling …

AUSTRAC has released updated guidance outlining the steps it expects reporting entities to take if they choose to outsource AML/CTF …

Online bookmaker bet365 had entered into a legally binding Enforceable Undertaking that will require it to overhaul its systems following …

In a recent speech at the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) risk summit, AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas reflected that over …

AUSTRAC has finalised its enforceable undertaking (EU) with Sportsbet Pty Ltd following the company undertaking a significant uplift to its …

AUSTRAC has provided insights on how it is using data to stop crime, highlighting the important role reporting entities play …

ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland spoke at the MFAA Conference in Melbourne on 22 July 2026 and provided more details about …

ASIC has reviewed the mortgage offset practices of eight banks (representing more than 70% of the home loan market) and …

In Radanov v Australian Financial Complaints Authority [2026] FCA 929, the Federal Court dismissed an appeal brought in relation …

Following ASIC’s extension of its no-action position for digital asset businesses, AFCA has extended the deadline for digital asset firms …

ASIC has made interim stop orders against the Wealthon Vault Development Fund and The People’s Equity Fund due to deficiencies …

CSLR revised levy estimate

The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) has published a revised levy estimate for the 2027 …

The FSCP has issued a written direction for a relevant provider to have their next 10 statements of advice audited …

MWL Financial Services

ASIC has banned Nicole Niu from providing financial services for 5 years on the basis that she …

The OAIC has published its report into the 2025 Qantas Airways Limited data breach incident. The data breach affected approximately …

ASIC cancelled or suspended a number of AFS licences recently for a range of reasons.

Capital Guard AU

ASIC cancelled …

In February 2026, ASIC commenced a review of financial advisers that were relevant providers but who did not have any …

ASIC has made a new legislative instrument for operators of investor directed portfolio services (“IDPS”) and IDPS-like schemes.

The new …

ASIC has penalised Deutsche Bank $2 million for misreporting more than 260,000 foreign exchange and commodities OTC transactions between 21 …