The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
Financial advisers in Australia are finding themselves under increased financial pressure as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) seeks to raise additional funds through heightened levies for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
A substantial part of this increase is attributed to the establishment of new regulatory frameworks and compliance measures.
The bulk of the additional levy is directed towards the funding of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR), a mechanism aimed to ensure consumers receive compensation owed by financial firms that have failed. Additionally, costs related to the adviser exam and the creation of a single disciplinary body for advisors add to the financial burden.
Further driving up costs is ASIC’s oversight activities regarding choice superannuation products. This has raised eyebrows within the financial advisory community as to why advisers should bear this specific administrative cost, which arguably involves superannuation funds as a key component of the equation.
ASIC has broken down these costs, itemizing the components being billed to advisors. This includes:
CSLR implementation
Choice superannuation products oversight
Adviser examination and registration
Compliance for SMSF (Self-Managed Super Funds) establishment advice
The newly structured single disciplinary body system
Moreover, financial advisers will share additional regulatory costs with other financial advice sub-sectors. These costs encompass several areas including ASIC’s cyber resilience initiatives, breach reporting mechanisms, the employment of artificial intelligence, dispute resolution processes, penalties for the non-lodgement of financial reports, enforcement against unlicensed financial advice, and restrictions on cold-calling for superannuation switching.
Critics argue that the levy structure places an undue financial load on advisers for areas where other stakeholders, such as superannuation funds and accountants, significantly contribute and should possibly share responsibility. For example, the costs associated with SMSF establishment advice compliance are shared more equitably between accountants and advisers, reflecting their respective roles.
On a positive note, costs associated with combating unlicensed financial advice and cold-calling superannuation switching will be distributed across all financial advisory sub-sectors rather than being shouldered solely by individual advisers.
Financial advisers looking to understand the reasoning behind their increased ASIC levy can refer to the detailed breakdown provided by ASIC. According to ASIC's figures, the overall regulation cost for the financial advice sector for 2022-23 sat at $47.6 million, which is poised to rise to $48.4 million in 2023-24.
The need for these measures, while increasing costs in the short term, is part of an effort to create a more robust and fairer financial advisory industry, aiming to benefit consumers and professionals alike by ensuring higher standards and better protection mechanisms.
Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.
Fresh industry attention on insurance affordability in northern Australia has reinforced a message many strata communities already understand: premium relief is not delivered by a single reform, even where government-backed risk sharing is in place. For apartment buildings, townhouse complexes and mixed-use strata schemes exposed to cyclone, storm surge, flood or severe rainfall, insurers are still looking closely at the physical characteristics of each building before deciding price, excesses and available cover. - read more
The agenda for the 2026 AFR Insurance Summit points to an insurance sector that is increasingly focused on affordability, technology, trust and operational resilience. While much of the summit is framed around the broader insurance market, the themes are highly relevant for employers, CFOs and directors reviewing corporate life insurance, group salary continuance, key person cover and executive protection arrangements. - read more
Fresh complaint trends across the Australian insurance market are another reminder that the real test of any policy often comes after something has gone wrong. While many disputes involve household cover, the same pressure points can affect tradies who rely on tools, vehicles, plant, public liability cover and income protection to keep work moving. - read more
The review of Australia’s Life Insurance Code of Practice has moved from a broad governance discussion into a more practical question for households: what should good insurer behaviour look like when people apply for cover, update a policy or make a claim? - read more
Australia’s financial advice reform agenda has moved from broad policy debate into the more practical question of how advice will be delivered, documented and accessed. For business owners, this matters because life insurance decisions are rarely isolated personal choices. They often intersect with debt facilities, director guarantees, shareholder agreements, succession plans and family wealth protection. - read more
Estate planning is a process that involves the management and distribution of an individual's assets and responsibilities in the event of their passing or incapacitation. It is an essential part of financial planning that ensures your assets are managed according to your desires and your loved ones are taken care of. - read more
Shareholder agreements lay the cornerstone for stable business relationships and continuity in Australia. Acting as a contract among business owners, these agreements set forth the expectations, rights, and obligations of all parties involved. They are particularly vital in delineating clear paths for dispute resolution, succession planning, and the transfer of ownership shares under varied circumstances, including the untimely death or departure of a shareholder. - read more
Life insurance serves as a crucial safety net, guarding your loved ones against the unforeseen. Just as you would take care of your health through regular check-ups, it is equally important to ensure that your life insurance policy remains in sound condition to provide the necessary protection. - read more
Many Australians have life insurance through their super fund, often by default. This guide explains how insurance in super works, what it may cover, key limitations, beneficiary nomination issues and what to check before relying on it. - read more
Life insurance might not be at the forefront of your mind, especially when you're young and healthy. However, understanding the essence of life insurance early on can significantly impact your financial future and provide much-needed peace of mind. - read more
Knowledgebase
Policyholder: The individual or entity who owns the insurance policy.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.