Financial services providers located outside Australia but wanting to provide financial services
in Australia after 31 March 2024 generally fall into one of three groups:
- You need a licence and are eligible for a foreign financial services licence
- You need a licence, although you are eligible for the funds management relief
- You need a full Australian financial services licence to operate in Australia.
You are in one of those groups even if you do not need a licence today because you have a
“limited connection to Australia”, meaning you look for clients in Australia, then provide them
with financial services elsewhere. This form of relief ends on 31 March 2024.
Operating without a licence or relief or operating with the wrong licence can mean significant
penalties in Australia and might also need to be reported in your home jurisdiction. Operating
without the appropriate licence or relief might also entitle your clients to void their contracts
with you.
In just five minutes, our Australian Financial Services Licence Navigator will tell you what
licence or relief you need to apply for.