Regulatory Alerts2025-06-16 | RG-176RG 176 Foreign financial services providers
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission issued this guide for foreign financial services providers seeking to offer services to wholesale clients or professional investors in Australia. It outlines the eligibility criteria and application procedures for obtaining a modified foreign AFS licence or specific licensing relief for funds management services. The document also notes that applications for such relief must be submitted via the ASIC Regulatory Portal starting from 27 July 2020.
Issued 10 March 2020
This guide is for foreign financial services providers (FFSPs) that wish to provide financial services to wholesale clients or professional investors in Australia.
It explains:
when an FFSP may be eligible to apply for a modified form of an Australian financial services (AFS) licence, known as a ‘foreign AFS licence’
how to apply for a foreign AFS licence, and
when an FFSP may be eligible for other AFS licensing relief when providing ‘funds management financial services’ to certain types of professional investors in Australia (funds management relief).
Note: From 27 July 2020, applications for relief should be submitted through the ASIC Regulatory Portal . For more information, see how you apply for relief .
Download RG 176 (PDF 699 KB)