Australian Financial Services Licence Advisory
Specialist advisory for AFSL applications, acquisitions and ongoing compliancee — for domestic and international financial services businesses seeking to operate in Australia.
A considered approach to Australian financial services licensing
AFSL Advisory is a specialist advisory practice focused exclusively on Australian Financial Services
Licence matters. We advise domestic and international businesses on AFSL applications, licence
acquisitions, compliance frameworks and ongoing regulatory obligations.
Our work is grounded in a thorough understanding of the Corporations Act 2001, ASIC’s regulatory
expectations and the practical realities of operating a licensed financial services business in Australia.
We provide clear, structured advice that enables our clients to make well-informed decisions about
their licensing pathway and to build compliance arrangements that function effectively in day-to-day
operations.
We act for fintechs, broker-dealers, financial advisers, fund managers and international firms
establishing an Australian presence. Each engagement is scoped to the client’s specific authorisation
requirements, operating model and commercial objectives.
Our services
AFSL Applications
End-to-end advisory support for de novo AFSL applications. We define the appropriate licensing scope, prepare the required documentation and manage the process through to the grant of the licence.
AFSL Acquisitions
Regulatory due diligence, licence scope assessment and transition planning for businesses acquiring an existing AFSL. We identify risks, prepare transition plans and support an orderly transfer of control.
Compliance and Ongoing Support
Design, implementation and maintenance of compliance
frameworks for operating licensees. We provide proportionate, practical governance arrangements that
satisfy regulatory obligations and support commercial operations.
Regulatory Strategy for Fintech
Regulatory mapping and licensing pathway design for
technology-led financial services businesses. We assist clients to identify which financial services require authorisation and to plan a sequenced approach to market entry.
Industries We Advise
Fintech
Regulatory strategy, licensing pathways and compliance foundations for businesses deploying technology-driven financial products and services.
Broker-Dealers
AFSL scope definition, dealing controls, governance frameworks and ongoing compliance support for businesses providing dealing services in securities, derivatives and foreign
exchange.
Financial Advisers
Licensing, compliance and governance advisory for personal advice businesses, including authorisation scoping, responsible manager arrangements and ongoing
monitoring obligations
Managed Accounts
Specialist advisory for businesses operating managed discretionary account services, including MDA-specific AFSL authorisations, investment governance and client
disclosure requirements.
How we work
We approach each engagement with a clear methodology. We begin by understanding the client’s
business model, intended product and service offering, target client base and commercial objectives.
We then identify the AFSL authorisations required, assess regulatory risks and obligations, and design a
practical compliance framework that can be implemented and maintained within the client’s existing
operations.
Our advice is structured, evidence-based and designed for implementation. We produce documentation
that is drafted to withstand regulatory scrutiny and that provides a sound operational foundation for
the licensed business.
The Australian Financial Services Market
~150
Approximate number of AFSLs in Australia with FX dealing authorisation
12–24 month
Typical ASIC processing time for a new AFSL application
$4.1 trillion
Australian superannuation assets under management (APRA, 2025)