Regulatory Updates

On 16 July 2026, the Australian Privacy Commissioner published a concerning Qantas Airways Limited’s (Qantas) 2025 data breach (Report).[1] …

Streamlining the FAR: ASIC and APRA are consulting on proposed changes to streamline certain aspects of the Financial Accountability …

Banned auditor sentenced for acting while disqualified and falsifying documents

Kristian John Convery was convicted and sentenced in the Melbourne …

AUSTRAC has made updates to several of its program starter kits, including the:

• legal professional program starter kit
• real estate …

AUSTRAC has updated its guidance on the professional designated services. The updates include:

• removing the implication that a business must …

AUSTRAC has warned the public in light of the discovery that scammers have been impersonating AUSTRAC and its staff in …

AUSTRAC renamed its Contact Centre to "AUSTRAC Central" to better reflect the team's role as AUSTRAC's primary contact …

Over the past year, AUSTRAC has removed 45 remittance and virtual asset service provider businesses from its remittance and VASP …

AUSTRAC has started issuing section 167 notices to businesses that are not enrolled with AUSTRAC but that appear to be …

AUSTRAC is investigating Western Union Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd and The Western Union Company (together, Western Union) due …

Fundo Loans Pty Ltd paid a $19,800 infringement notice in relation to alleged misleading claims on its website that it …

The Senate Economics References Committee has been tasked by the Senate to inquire into the following matters:

• the establishment of …

AFCA’s Lead Ombudsman of Investments and Advice, Shail Singh, has published a video providing an update to consumers who …

In a recent speech at the Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers of Australia Commercial Property & Development Finance Summit, ASIC …

ASIC has made interim stop orders against the three private credit products offered by Melbourne Securities Corporation Limited under the …

The Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026 passed both Houses of Parliament on 14 September 2026. The Bill amends the Corporations …

ASIC has issued six infringement notices totalling $118,800 to the trustees of three superannuation funds following a targeted review of …

The Federal Court held that Choosi Pty Ltd (Choosi) breached sections 12DB(1)(a) and (e) of the ASIC Act 2001 when …

The Government has released its new Financial Innovation Strategy, which establishes a Financial Innovation Committee. The Committee will support a …

Businesses that were relying on ASIC’s sector-wide no-action position for digital assets had until 30 September 2026 to apply for …

ASIC released data showing that between 1 January and 30 June 2026, it received 9,807 Reports of Misconduct. Four in …

Following proceedings commenced by ASIC in July 2025, the Federal Court has ordered Venture 5 Group Pty Ltd (trading as …

Following extensive industry consultation, ASIC is amending the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Securities Markets) 2017 and the ASIC Market Integrity …

ASIC has remade the qualified accountant legislative instrument: ASIC Corporations (Qualified Accountant) Instrument 2026/734 has now replaced ASIC Corporations (Qualified …

ASIC has replaced its long-standing MDA relief instrument, registering the ASIC Corporations (Managed Discretionary Account Services) Instrument 2026/720, which …

Two advisers banned for advice failures in relation to the First Guardian and Shield Master Funds have had their bannings …

ASIC is concerned that the move by home insurers to use cash settlements in a significant percentage of claims is …

On 31 August 2026, the Attorney-General released the exposure draft Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026 and accompanying Consultation …

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) has shifted from being, until relatively recently, a theoretical possibility to now a practical reality that is …

Deferred sales model class exemption extension. The Government has released draft regulations to extend for a further 5 years the …

ASIC warns of emails impersonating ASIC

ASIC is warning the financial services industry to be on the lookout for email …

AUSTRAC has released its regulatory priorities for 2026-2027, outlining its plan to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious …

As you are probably already aware, AUSTRAC’s annual compliance reporting period has changed from a calendar year to a financial …

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (“Committee”) issued its report on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment …

AUSTRAC Fintel Alliance’s Operation Claw had identified coordinated mortgage fraud and systemic weaknesses across Australia’s lending sector. The project involved …

AUSTRAC suspended Cryptolink Pty Ltd’s virtual asset service provider registration for three months from Sunday 9 August 2026. AUSTRAC took …

ASIC cancelled the Australian credit licence of Zenoz Enterprises Pty Ltd on the grounds that it had ceased to engage …

ASIC and APRA have urged financial market entities to move from gaining awareness of the risks of frontier AI to …

ASIC has released its 2026-27 Corporate Plan which sets out ASIC’s strategic priorities for the next financial year and beyond. …

From 1 July 2027, companies will be required to provide ASIC with director identification numbers. Director IDs will need to …

ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant spoke recently at the Conexus Retirement Leaders’ Summit held in Canberra.

She observed that:

• ASIC is …

The Federal Court made declarations that Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd and Netwealth Investments Limited contravened the obligation to act …

ASIC has issued a warning to all Australians that a quick online search is not sufficient to verify whether an …

Between March and June 2026, ASIC concluded a targeted surveillance of nine entities offering short-dated exchange traded options, futures and …

Fiducian Investment Management Services Limited was ordered by the New South Wales Supreme Court to pay a $7.3 million penalty. …

Financial reporting misconduct, including the failure to lodge financial reports, is one of ASIC’s 2026 enforcement priorities. (See HN Hub …

AFCA’s Lead Ombudsman Investments and Advice has published a new video answering common questions received from consumers about the …

The government announced a package of reforms aimed at strengthening consumer protection and building resilience in the superannuation and financial …

ASIC suspended a number of AFS licences recently for a range of reasons.

GFA Capital Markets Ltd

ASIC has suspended …

ASIC’s enforcement action against service providers involved in the First Guardian and Shield fund collapses is continuing with proceedings …