When choosing someone to help manage your finances, it’s important to know you’re working with a licensed professional. The Financial Advisers Register, managed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), is a free online database that allows you to confirm whether a financial adviser is properly authorised to provide personal advice on financial products in Australia.
You can search the register by name, adviser number, business name, or Australian Business Number (ABN). The results show helpful details that you can use when determining the best financial adviser for your needs. This public register helps you make informed choices and verify that your adviser meets the standards required under Australian law.
What You Should Know About the Financial Advisers Register
Before you engage a financial adviser, it’s important to understand what the Financial Advisers Register actually is and how it’s maintained. This official database is designed to give consumers an accurate picture of who they’re working with, including their professional background, licensing status, and any disciplinary history. The register exists to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the financial advice industry across Australia.
Managed by ASIC for Consumer Protection
As mentioned, the ASIC manages and maintains the Financial Advisers Register as part of its broader responsibility for regulating financial services in Australia. This register lists individuals who are authorised to provide personal financial advice on relevant financial products, making sure that only qualified, licensed professionals appear.
ASIC’s oversight provides a transparent and trustworthy system for consumers to verify an adviser’s credentials and track their compliance with industry standards. Under Australian law, maintaining accurate, up-to-date information on the register is a non-negotiable to protect consumers from unlicensed or unqualified advisers.
Information You’ll Find in the Register
The Financial Advisers Register contains a detailed snapshot of each authorised adviser’s professional background. Each listing includes the adviser’s name, registration number, and ABN, along with their current and previous Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees.
You’ll also see information about their qualifications, training, and professional memberships, giving insight into their expertise. The register records employment history, authorised financial products, and notes any disciplinary actions or banning orders issued by ASIC.
Together, these details help consumers assess an adviser’s experience and legitimacy before making financial decisions.
How to Access and Use the Financial Advisers Register
So, just how do you use the register to check for qualifications and licenses? The process is simple and can be completed in just a few minutes. Whether you’re researching someone you’ve been referred to or comparing professionals before choosing a financial adviser, the Financial Advisers Register gives you direct access to verified data from ASIC.
It’s an easy way to confirm that your adviser is properly authorised and has the right experience to provide personal financial advice.
Simple Search Options
The Financial Advisers Register allows users to search using several identifiers, depending on what information they have available. You can look up an adviser by:
- Full name
- Australian Business Number (ABN): The ABN is a unique 11-digit identifier issued to businesses operating in Australia
- Adviser number: An adviser number is a distinct code assigned to each licensed financial adviser or the financial services licensee they operate under, helping identify who is officially authorised to provide advice.
- Business name
Each search returns results that link directly to ASIC’s website, where you can view official, up-to-date details about the adviser’s credentials, employment, and licensing status. This direct access to verified records ensures the information you rely on is both accurate and current.
Step-by-Step Guide
We’ve created some simple steps that you can follow to confirm an adviser’s legitimacy before moving forward.
- Visit the Financial Advisers Register on the ASIC website.
- Enter the adviser’s name, adviser number, or ABN.
- Review the results for licensing status, employment details, and qualifications.
- Check the adviser’s authorisations and note any disciplinary actions listed.
- Use this information to confirm their credentials and reputation before choosing a financial adviser to work with.
This process can help you be assured that your adviser is officially registered and compliant with Australian financial services regulations.
AFS Licensees and Their Responsibilities
Behind every licensed financial adviser is an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensee. This is the entity responsible for authorising, supervising, and reporting on their activities. Understanding the duties of these licensees helps explain how adviser information stays accurate and how consumer protections are upheld under Australia’s financial regulations.
What Is an AFS Licensee?
An Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensee is an individual or organisation authorised by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to provide financial services or to appoint financial advisers to act on their behalf. AFS licensees play a central role in maintaining trust across the industry.
They oversee their advisers’ conduct, verify that advice is delivered within the boundaries of the law, and make sure their representatives hold the required training and qualifications. In short, they are the gatekeepers who link professional accountability with consumer protection.
Maintaining the Register
AFS licensees are responsible for registering their relevant providers, including financial advisers and time-share advisers, with ASIC. They must also update the Financial Advisers Register whenever details change, such as authorisations, employment history, or qualifications, to keep the database accurate and reliable.
Importantly, provisional relevant providers cannot be registered until they meet ASIC’s requirements for full authorisation. If an AFS licensee fails to maintain these records or breaches reporting obligations, ASIC can impose penalties, restrict their licence, or suspend their authorisations. This ongoing responsibility prioritizes that the register remains a trustworthy resource for both consumers and professionals.
Why the Financial Advisers Register Matters
The Financial Advisers Register is a safeguard for Australians seeking trustworthy financial advice. By checking the register, consumers can confirm that their adviser is qualified, authorised, and accountable under Australian law. It helps protect against unlicensed operators and provides visibility into an adviser’s training, background, and conduct history.
For the financial advice industry, it reinforces professional standards and builds confidence between advisers and clients. Whether you’re verifying credentials before your first consultation or reviewing your adviser’s ongoing status, the register remains one of the most reliable tools for making informed financial decisions.
Sources:
- AFS licensees. ASIC. (n.d.-a). https://www.asic.gov.au/for-finance-professionals/afs-licensees/
- ASIC Home. ASIC. (n.d.-c). https://www.asic.gov.au/
- Financial Advisers Register – moneysmart.gov.au. (n.d.). https://moneysmart.gov.au/financial-advice/financial-advisers-register
