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.
Recent rural market reporting has pointed to firmer cattle values across parts of eastern Australia, with improved seasonal confidence, restocker demand and tighter supply helping support prices in a number of saleyards. For producers, stronger prices are welcome after a period of difficult seasonal and cost pressures. But there is also a quieter insurance issue sitting behind the market lift: if livestock values rise, the financial exposure carried by the farm may rise with them. - read more
Recent commercial insurance market commentary points to a more favourable pricing environment for many Australian business buyers, with competition returning in some lines after several years of tougher renewal conditions. For consultants, this is welcome news, but it should not be mistaken for a signal that professional risk has become simple or low-cost to insure. - read more
Cyber insurance has moved from a specialist add-on to a mainstream business risk issue. Recent industry commentary points to a more selective market: insurers are examining security controls, data handling and outsourced technology dependencies before offering terms. For many Australian small businesses, that means a renewal is no longer just a price conversation. It is a test of whether the business can show how it prevents, detects and recovers from an incident. - read more
Recent rental market commentary is again highlighting a practical issue for Australian landlords: tenant affordability is becoming a stronger force in how rental demand behaves. While many areas remain tight by historical standards, rising living costs and stretched household budgets are changing what renters can absorb, where they look, and how long they stay. - read more
Recent transport and fleet industry coverage continues to point to a steady increase in electric and low-emission heavy vehicles across Australian logistics operations. For many operators, the attraction is clear: quieter vehicles, lower tailpipe emissions, potential fuel savings and stronger alignment with customer sustainability targets. But the insurance conversation is now becoming more detailed than simply replacing a diesel truck with an electric one. - read more
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on public liability insurance, an essential safeguard for businesses across Australia. Navigating the complexities of liability insurance can be a daunting task for many business owners, but it’s a critical component of your business protection plan. If incidents such as accidents or property damage occur, liability insurance is the barrier that stands between your business and financial calamity. - read more
For tradesmen and trade professionals, venturing into the world of business comes with its set of challenges and risks. Among the myriad of precautions to consider, one critical safeguard stands out for its ability to protect both the tradesperson and their clients: Public Liability Insurance. This form of coverage is not just a safety net; it is a cornerstone of a responsible business practice within the trade industry. - read more
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on public liability insurance. If you run a business, you've probably heard this term thrown around quite often. But what exactly is public liability insurance? - read more
Public liability insurance is designed to protect your business from financial loss if you are found liable for causing injury or property damage to a third party. This type of insurance covers legal costs and any compensation claims that might arise from accidents or incidents involving your business operations. - read more
Liability insurance can cover different business risks depending on whether a claim involves third-party injury, property damage, professional advice or products supplied. This guide explains the main types of liability insurance in Australia and how they differ. - read more
Start Here !
Knowledgebase
Whole Life Insurance: A type of life insurance that provides coverage for the insured's entire lifetime, with a savings component that builds cash value.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.