Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has urged Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees to review and correct information about their financial advisers on the Financial Advisers Register following a spot check that revealed errors and inconsistencies in the recorded data.

This move also has significant implications for FX/CFD brokers, as ASIC's spot checks have revealed widespread inaccuracies.

ASIC Calls on AFS Licensees to Rectify Financial Adviser Records

The regulator identified several issues, particularly concerning qualifications and training courses incorrectly marked as “approved” on the register. Common errors included mismatched qualification wording, listing professional designations as approved qualifications, and marking bridging courses or non-approved qualifications as approved.

ASIC emphasized the importance of accurate record-keeping, stating, "It is a serious offense to knowingly provide false or misleading information to ASIC or to fail to take reasonable steps to ensure that the information provided to ASIC ASIC The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the prime regulator in Australia for corporate, markets, financial services, and consumer credit. It is empowered under the financial service laws to facilitate, regulate, and enforce Australian financial laws. The Australian Commission was set up and is administered under the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act of 2001. ASIC was initially the Australian Securities Commission based on the 1989 ASC Act. Initially, the The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the prime regulator in Australia for corporate, markets, financial services, and consumer credit. It is empowered under the financial service laws to facilitate, regulate, and enforce Australian financial laws. The Australian Commission was set up and is administered under the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act of 2001. ASIC was initially the Australian Securities Commission based on the 1989 ASC Act. Initially, the Read this Term is true and correct."

The regulator has called on AFS licensees, including FX/CFD brokers, to immediately verify all information about their financial advisers on the register, with a focus on approved qualifications, tax advice service capabilities, and contact details. Licensees are required to rectify any inaccuracies by lodging a “maintain” transaction via ASIC Connect.

We are calling on Australian financial services licensees to immediately check the accuracy of records on the #FinancialAdvisers register https://t.co/ZZ8srTX1ke pic.twitter.com/znxVRBJMC1

— ASIC Media (@asicmedia) July 1, 2024

In response to these issues, ASIC has announced changes to the public-facing Financial Advisers Register. From July 1, 2024, the register will no longer display whether a financial adviser's education and training meet the requirements of an “approved'” qualification. This change aims to reduce confusion and minimize risks to consumers.

Moreover, AFS licensees must now inform ASIC upon receiving a written declaration from a financial adviser who qualifies for the experienced provider pathway. This pathway permits seasoned advisers to comply with qualification standards without further education.

New Initiatives

ASIC plans to launch a compliance Compliance In finance, banking, investing, and insurance compliance refers to following the rules or orders set down by the government regulatory authority, either as providing a service or processing a transaction. Compliance concerning finance would also be a state of being following established guidelines or specifications. This designation can also encompass efforts to ensure that organizations are abiding by both industry regulations and government legislation. Understanding ComplianceCompliance is a In finance, banking, investing, and insurance compliance refers to following the rules or orders set down by the government regulatory authority, either as providing a service or processing a transaction. Compliance concerning finance would also be a state of being following established guidelines or specifications. This designation can also encompass efforts to ensure that organizations are abiding by both industry regulations and government legislation. Understanding ComplianceCompliance is a Read this Term program on August 1, 2024, to ensure the accuracy of approved qualification information on the register. The regulator warned it will consider enforcement action where necessary, particularly in the lead-up to January 1, 2026, when all financial advisers must comply with the qualification standard.

Additionally, ASIC urged market intermediaries to enhance their oversight of business communications. In response to concerns over the use of unmonitored and encrypted communication channels in business transactions, the regulator published a new information sheet.