Regulatory Updates

The New South Wales Supreme Court ordered Macquarie Securities (Australia) Limited to pay a $35 million penalty for multiple systems-related …

The FSCP issued a reprimand after it determined that it reasonably believed that a relevant provider contravened sections 961B(1), 961G …

ASIC launched civil penalty proceedings against Auto & General this month alleging that the insurer made representations which were false …

ASIC has continued its extensive work in relation to the Shield and First Guardian fallout. Shield Master Fund and the …

ASIC released its latest round-up of regulatory developments and issues affecting financial advice licensees.

Review of lead generation services

ASIC …

Senior Executive Leader of ASIC’s Fintech team, Dr Rhys Bollen, presented his paper “When History Rhymes: Regulating Digital Assets” …

ASIC released a consultation paper seeking feedback on options for increasing the net tangible assets requirement for responsible entities. The …

Treasury released a discussion paper to seek feedback on ways to prevent perpetrators of family and domestic violence from receiving …

Treasury launched a consultation on proposed changes to the education standard for financial advisers. The proposed new standard would require …

On 11 March 2026, Treasury released the full package of Tranche 1 exposure draft legislation, which sets out a …

Holley Nethercote’s AML/CTF Implementation Plan Template is now available on HN Hub.

The Template is available to subscribers with access …

Greenwashing is a term often used across the financial services industry, yet is frequently misunderstood. At its core, it refers …

CS 44 Proposed extension of relief for intra-fund transfers. This Simple Consultation by ASIC seeks feedback on a proposal …

ASIC takes action against SMSF auditors

ASIC took action against 28 SMSF auditors in the first half of the 2025-26 …

AUSTRAC has released its Program Starter Kits to support sole practitioner and small low complexity businesses which will be required …

AUSTRAC recently consulted on proposed amendments to the new Anti‑Money Laundering and Counter‑Terrorism Financing Rules 2025 that were finalised in …

The Fintel Alliance along with subject matter experts from AUSTRAC recently completed three days of targeted action to identify individuals …

As well as preparing for reforms due to take effect from 31 March 2026, current reporting entities should ensure that …

The clock is ticking for existing reporting entities to get their affairs in order by 31 March 2026.

New AML/CTF …

AFCA recently rolled out system improvements to its member portal. As part of the improvements, AFCA requests that members use …

The latest deadline for six monthly IDR reporting was 28 February 2026. ASIC has a webpage explaining how to meet …

The OAIC has released a statement following the Administrative Review Tribunal’s decision on Bunnings Group Limited’s use of facial recognition …

Following an investigation and referral by ASIC, former finance director Brendan Gunn has pleaded guilty to dealing with more …

ASIC has released CS 45 Proposed remake and sunset of financial reporting-related legislative instruments, seeking feedback on its proposal …

The Federal Court has ordered FIIG Securities Limited to pay $2.5 million in pecuniary penalties after ASIC brought a case …

ASIC has updated Regulatory Guide 26 Resignation, removal and replacement of auditors (RG 26) to reflect changes to …

Fundhost Limited has paid its ASIC-issued infringement notice of $19,800. The notice followed ASIC alleging that, as responsible entity …

This month, ASIC cancelled the following AFS and ACL licences:

• Centre Capital Securities Pty Ltd, for failing to pay …

ASIC has commenced a new review of advice licensees using lead generation services as part of its ongoing program of …

ASIC has continued its extensive work in relation to the Shield and First Guardian fallout. Shield Master Fund and the …

ASIC has permanently banned financial adviser Patrick Nong from providing financial services, controlling an entity that carries on a financial …

The Markets Disciplinary Panel has fined stockbroking firm Petra Capital Pty Ltd $205,350 for misreporting regulatory data on more than …

ASIC has imposed additional licence conditions on the AFS licence of Cambridge Mercantile (Australia) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Corpay …

The Federal Court has ordered Australian Unity Funds Management Limited to pay a penalty of $7.125 million for breaching design …

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

Several years on from the introduction of the design and distribution obligations (“DDO”) regime in October 2021, the central challenge …

Scams Prevention Framework – Draft law package and position paper. Treasury is seeking feedback on the draft instruments and …

“Pump and dump” scam warning

ASIC has received increased reports about “pump and dump” scams, also known as “market rigging” …

The Airwallex Designated Business Group has been ordered by AUSTRAC to appoint an external auditor to assess its compliance with …

In the coming weeks, an exposure draft of the AML/CTF transitional rules will be released by the Department of Home …

The OAIC has conducted a desktop review of 23 government agencies’ websites for transparency around automated decision-making (“ADM”), and published …

ASIC’s regulatory action against BPS Financial Pty Ltd has reached its conclusion with the determination of penalties by the Federal …

ASIC has sued BDO Audit (WA) Pty Ltd and its director, Mr Dean Just, in relation to audit reports prepared …

ASIC Chair, Joe Longo, published the Key issues outlook 2026 on ASIC’s website. ASIC’s intention in publishing the key issues …

ASIC has suspended the ACL of Transitional Funding Pty Ltd for six months. The suspension is due to the licensee’s …

Financial adviser, Milutin Petrovic, appealed ASIC’s previous six-year ban to the Administrative Review Tribunal, and has been partially successful …

ASIC conducted a review of 52 licensed CFDs issuers’ compliance with the Design and Distribution obligations during the period from …

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

Whether you describe it as the ‘AI revolution’,[1] ‘AI bubble’,[2] or an ‘industry reshape’,[3] 2025 has seen artificial intelligence affect …

CS 36 Proposed remake of relief for fundraising and mergers and acquisitions. ASIC is seeking feedback on its proposal …