ASIC has today released its annual licensing report. Report 738 Licensing and professional registration activities: 2022 update (REP 738) outlines ASIC’s licensing and professional registration activities, discusses new and proposed changes to our licensing processes, and notes other work that affects licensees.

Between July 2021 and June 2022 ASIC:

• received 1,469 Australian financial services (AFS) and Australian credit licence (licences) applications;
• finalised 1,859 licence applications (35% more than last year);
• approved 578 new licences (26% more than last year);
• approved 867 licence variation applications from existing licensees (61% more than last year); and
• approved the registration of 89 company auditors, 40 SMSF auditors and note that the liquidator registration committee approved the registration of 21 liquidators.

In the same period 416 licence applications were withdrawn or rejected for lodgement, 558 licences were cancelled and 12 licences were suspended. In addition, 21 professional registration applications were withdrawn and 11 were refused.

Regulatory reforms related to insurance claims handling and settling services, debt management and corporate collective investment vehicles (CCIVs) impacted ASIC’s licensing activities and regulatory guidance in the period covered by the report.

ASIC Commissioner Danielle Press said, ‘The report outlines our important licence assessment work and gatekeeping role to maintain high standards in the financial services and credit industries. Our gatekeeping role is highlighted by our assessment of debt management firm licence applications. Fourteen debt management firm applicants withdrew their applications following questions and concerns raised by ASIC during assessment. This was at a rate nearly three times higher than a typical credit licensing application.’

Since releasing our last licensing update, the Financial Regulator Assessment Authority (FRAA) has completed its first review of ASIC, which included an assessment of ASIC’s licensing function. FRAA’s overall assessment is that ASIC’s licensing function is broadly effective, and the licensing team is capable, although somewhat constrained by limited resourcing and technology.

In response to the recommendations, Commissioner Press added, ‘We are implementing changes to update our licensing portal to make it easier and more efficient for applicants to apply for a licence. We are also making changes to how we interact with licensees to enhance our engagement with and responsiveness to applicants.’

Licensing Liaison Events

Register for ASIC’s Licensing Liaison Events to be held in Melbourne and Sydney. These events will be held in person:

• Melbourne – 11 October
• Sydney – 13 October

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Report 738 Licensing and professional registration activities: 2022 update (REP 738)

Background

ASIC’s licensing report is released annually to increase transparency and provide guidance to licensees, professional auditor registrants and prospective applicants about ASIC’s licensing and professional registration decision making. The report outlines factors ASIC considers when reviewing an application, why certain information is required, and factors that may increase the time taken to assess an application.