Australia's Leading AFSL & Financial Services Lawyers
- Expert Guidance for AFSL Compliance Success
- Tailored Compliance Solutions for Your Business
- Ongoing Support for Peace of Mind
- Proven Track Record with 100% Success Rate
Our award-winning lawyers provide end-to-end legal services for Australian financial services compliance & AFSL applications.
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Market-Leading Legal Support from Award-Winning AFSL Lawyers
Australia's Leading AFSL Firm
Experienced Legal Support for AFSL Compliance
What is an AFSL?
An Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), issued by ASIC, is a legal requirement for businesses providing financial services (products or advice) to retail and wholesale clients.
It ensures only competent and well-resourced businesses operate in the sector, protecting consumers and maintaining industry integrity.
Why Legal Support is Crucial for AFSL Compliance
Legal support is essential for navigating AFSL compliance. Compliance maintains the integrity of financial service providers.
AFS licensees must adhere to the obligations in Section 912A of the Corporations Act 2001, ensuring efficient, honest, and fair financial services. Legal experts guide businesses in understanding and implementing these requirements.
Ongoing AFSL Compliance Obligations
Maintaining ongoing AFSL compliance is crucial. All representatives must comply with financial services laws and manage conflicts of interest.
Robust compliance frameworks are essential. Legal support helps develop and maintain these, including required dispute resolution systems for retail clients. Legal professionals ensure these documents meet regulatory standards.
Get Your Free Initial Consultation
Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.
Comprehensive Legal Support for AFSL Holders
AFSL holders require ongoing legal support to navigate the complexities of compliance with regulatory obligations and effective risk management.
At AFSL House, we provide a range of services designed to assist our clients in maintaining their Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and ensuring adherence to the legal framework governing the financial services sector.
95%
Reduction in Compliance Breaches
80%
Improvement in Internal Compliance Audit Scores
#1: Ongoing Compliance Guidance
We provide continuous legal advice to maintain AFSL compliance through:
- Regular monitoring of regulatory changes and ASIC guidelines
- Compliance audits to identify potential issues early
- Risk assessment strategies to address vulnerabilities
#2: Governance Audits & Competency Assessments
Our governance audit services ensure operational integrity by delivering:
- Structural evaluations to identify governance gaps
- Responsible Manager assessments for regulatory compliance
- Strategic recommendations for governance enhancement
#3: Legal Representation in Regulatory Matters
We offer comprehensive ASIC representation focusing on:
- Professional response management to ASIC inquiries
- Defence strategies for enforcement actions
- Expert guidance through regulatory investigations
#4: Drafting & Reviewing Compliance Documents
We assist with essential compliance documentation through:
- FSG development aligned with regulatory standards
- PDS creation meeting legal requirements
- Policy frameworks promoting compliance culture
#5: Training & Development
We deliver targeted compliance training via:
- Regular updates on regulatory changes
- Practical workshops for implementation strategies
- Continuous education to maintain compliance standards
Get Your Free Initial Consultation
Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.
Core AFSL Obligations
Key obligations for all AFSL holders include:
- Provide efficient, honest, and fair financial services.
- Manage conflicts of interest effectively.
- Comply with all financial services laws.
- Ensure staff competence and training.
- Maintain robust risk management systems.
- Establish a compliant dispute resolution system.
Reporting to ASIC
Stay compliant by fulfilling these reporting requirements to ASIC:
- Notify ASIC of business changes (e.g., responsible managers, address).
- Report significant breaches and investigations promptly.
- Report on financial adviser compliance with professional standards.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
potential repercussions of failing to meet your AFSL obligations include:
- Financial penalties and fines.
- AFSL suspension or cancellation.
- Reputational damage and loss of client trust.
Expert Compliance Support
AFSL House provides the tools and resources you need to stay compliant:
- Tailored compliance plans & resources.
- AI-powered Compliance GPT portal.
- Staff training on best practices.
Your AFSL Licensee Obligations: What You Need to Know
After AFSL approval, maintaining a robust compliance framework is crucial for continued success and avoiding penalties.
AFSL House provides comprehensive support to navigate these requirements.
Why Choose AFSL House?
Our point of difference is simple: we specialise in working exclusively with financial services companies, offering solutions that combine best practice processes with full legal compliance.
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Deep Industry Understanding
We have an intimate understanding of the issues financial services companies face and how leading businesses in your industry are addressing them.
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Best Practice + Legal Compliance
Our solutions marry best practice processes with legally compliant strategies to ensure your business operates efficiently and effectively.
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Broader Perspective
We apply a different perspective to your challenges, going beyond the narrow focus of traditional law firms or compliance providers to deliver holistic, practical solutions.
Get Your Free Initial Consultation
Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.
Rated 5-Star By Our Clients
Erina W
"AFSL House made our license application process incredibly smooth. Peter's expertise and hands-on guidance helped us secure our AFSL faster than expected, and his ongoing compliance support has been invaluable."
Marcus O
"Having AFSL House manage our application meant we could focus on building our business. Their team was responsive and explained everything clearly without drowning us in regulatory jargon."
Omar M
"They understood both regulations and business realities. When we faced challenges with our structure, they proposed practical alternatives that worked both commercially and regulatory-wise."
Maeve S
"AFSL House focused on what was actually needed rather than unnecessary complications. The compliance framework they designed continues to work well as we grow."
J K
"An absolute pleasure working with Peter and the team at AFSL House. Peter's expert knowledge and experience in the field, made for a swift process in obtaining our AFSL. Thank you- looking forward to our ongoing work together."
Free & Practical AFSL Guides & Checklists
Free 90-seconds Assessment
Are you complying with your AFSL?
We understand the challenges of complying with your AFSL obligations. That’s why we created this free 90-second assessment.
Quickly check your status and get the insights you need. Take the test now.
101 Guide to Applying for AFSL
A practical guide covering the key steps and requirements for obtaining an Australian Financial Services License.
AFSL Roadmap
An illustrative chart with key milestones and steps in applying for an AFSL and ongoing compliance.
AFSL Compliance Checklist
Easy-to-use checklist to assess compliance with key AFSL obligations.
Market-Leading, Comprehensive AFSL Services
AFSL House offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of financial services companies seeking Australian Financial Services Licences (AFSLs) and compliance support.
Get Your Free Initial Consultation
Request a Free Consultation with one of our experienced AFSL Lawyers today.
Insights Library
Practical AFSL Guides & Insights
Unlock free AFSL guides, checklists, and insights in our regularly updated Insights Library, written by our legal experts.
Who We Are
Founded in 2020 by senior financial services lawyer Peter Hagias, AFSL House specialises in regulatory and legal services for AFSL holders. Our expert team serves fintech companies, fund managers, and financial planners both locally and internationally, delivering compliance solutions that withstand regulatory scrutiny.
Under Peter’s leadership as an industry consultant and compliance committee chair, we continue to provide outstanding support to Australia’s financial services sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is an Information Memorandum required?
An Information Memorandum is not legally required but is often used for wholesale offers of financial products like managed funds and debentures. It can be a useful tool to disclose key terms, features, benefits, costs, and risks, and to clarify the offer terms.
What are some common issues when preparing an Information Memorandum?
How often should AFSL policies and procedures be reviewed?
How often should you review a FSG, PDS, or IM?
Disclosure documents like FSGs, PDSs, and IMs should generally be reviewed at least annually, and more frequently if there have been material changes to the business, its arrangements, or the product structure.
