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Financial Licensing · Australia

ASIC Australian Financial Services Licence

An Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) from ASIC is required for any business providing financial product advice, dealing in financial products, making a market, or managing investments to Australian clients.

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Overview

The AFSL — Gateway to Australian Financial Markets

The Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), is the primary regulatory authorisation for financial services in Australia. AFSL holders can provide personal and general financial product advice, deal in financial products (securities, derivatives, managed investments), operate a managed investment scheme, and make a market — subject to the specific authorisations granted on the licence.

Marensa Advisory advises on AFSL strategy for international financial services businesses entering Australia — coordinating the application process, compliance programme design, and responsible manager identification through licensed Australian counsel.

Apply for an Australian AFSL
What We Cover
  • AFSL application to ASIC via Connect portal
  • Authorisation scope: advice, dealing, market making, managed investments
  • Responsible Manager (RM) identification and qualification
  • Compliance framework: RG 104 obligations
  • Financial requirements: AUD 50K–5M net tangible assets
  • Professional indemnity insurance
  • AML/CTF programme: AUSTRAC registration
  • ASIC ongoing compliance: Annual review, breach reporting
  • Australian entity requirement: domestic company or ARBN
Key Considerations

AFSL — Key Authorisation Types

AFSL authorisations must specifically match the financial services to be provided.

General and Personal Advice
Authorisation to provide financial product advice — general advice or personal advice tailored to the client's situation. Personal advice triggers Best Interests Duty and Statement of Advice requirements.
Dealing in Financial Products
Authorisation to deal in financial products — as principal or agent. Covers buying, selling, applying for, and issuing financial products including securities, derivatives, and managed fund interests.
Managing a Managed Investment Scheme
Authorisation to be the responsible entity of a managed investment scheme (MIS) registered with ASIC. Australian retail MIS must be ASIC-registered with a licensed RE.
Market Making
Authorisation to make a market — providing continuous or regular buy/sell quotes in Australian exchange-traded products.
Responsible Managers
Each AFSL holder must have one or more Responsible Managers who meet ASIC's qualification criteria (RG 105) — qualified individuals responsible for day-to-day AFSL compliance.
AUSTRAC (AML/CTF)
AFSL holders providing designated services are reporting entities under AUSTRAC — AML/CTF programme and AUSTRAC registration is required alongside the AFSL.
Our Process

How We Work

01
Authorisation Scoping
We define the precise AFSL authorisations required for your business model.
02
RM Identification
We assess Responsible Manager qualifications against ASIC RG 105 requirements.
03
AFSL Application
We prepare the complete AFSL application and coordinate filing via the ASIC Connect portal.
04
Compliance Framework
We design the AFSL compliance framework — policies, breach reporting, and annual review.
05
AUSTRAC Registration
We prepare the AUSTRAC AML/CTF programme alongside the AFSL.
Why Marensa

AFSL. Licensed for Australia.

Australia's financial services market — a sophisticated, highly regulated, A$3 trillion+ superannuation-driven economy — rewards early and correctly structured market entry.

Marensa Advisory advises on AFSL strategy for international financial services businesses entering Australia.

Start the Conversation
ASIC
Regulator
AUD 3T+
Super AUM
AUSTRAC
AML Regulator
6-12 Months
AFSL Timeline
FAQ

Common Questions

How long does ASIC AFSL application take? +

ASIC targets a 150-day decision period. In practice, well-prepared AFSL applications are typically processed in 6–18 months depending on the complexity of authorisations sought.

Can a foreign company hold an AFSL? +

A foreign company registered with ASIC (as a foreign company with an ARBN) can hold an AFSL — without establishing a full Australian subsidiary. ASIC requires sufficient Australian presence and governance.

What is the financial requirement for an AFSL? +

Financial requirements vary by authorisation: A$50,000 net tangible assets for advice-only licences, up to A$5 million for dealing and market-making licences. Professional indemnity insurance is also required.

Does an AFSL holder need to register with AUSTRAC? +

Yes — AFSL holders providing designated services must register with AUSTRAC and maintain an AML/CTF programme.

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