Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Overview and How to Search
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
1. What is ASIC?
ASIC is Australia’s independent regulator of companies, markets and financial services. It regulates companies and the financial services industry under Australian law. Its responsibilities include company registration, financial services licensing, market conduct and consumer protection; other functions, such as prudential regulation of banks, are handled by the relevant authorities.
2. Key responsibilities
- Maintaining company registers and certain financial services records.
- Regulating financial services providers, market conduct and related disclosure obligations.
- Investigating and addressing breaches of the laws it administers, and improving consumers’ understanding of financial services.
3. How to search for a company or licence
ASIC official search portal: Search ASIC registers
- Search by company name, Australian Company Number (ACN), Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) details.
- In the financial services licence record, check the licence holder, authorised representative relationships and the services permitted.
- Compare the registered address and official contact details. Do not rely on a licence number or logo alone to establish an organisation’s identity.
4. What to verify in ASIC register information
ASIC records may include company registrations, Australian Financial Services Licences (AFSLs), Australian Credit Licences and authorised representatives. These records have different legal meanings: a company’s appearance in the company register confirms only its company registration status; it does not establish that the entity is authorised to provide investment services. A representative’s authority should also be checked against the relevant licence holder and the specific terms of the authorisation.
When searching, note the company’s ACN/ABN, then consult the relevant professional register to review the licence holder, status, authorised products or services, representative relationships and any additional conditions. If marketing materials show only a parent company’s, group company’s or affiliate’s licence number, verify whether the legal entity that contracts with you and receives your funds is the registered entity, and whether it is permitted to conduct the advertised business.
5. Identifying impersonation and changes to information
Scammers may copy the name and licence details of a genuine licensed organisation while directing customers to a different domain, phone number or bank account. Independently open the organisation’s website from the ASIC official register and call the listed number. If the name, website or contact details differ, pause account opening or payment and verify directly with ASIC or the licence holder. Register information can change, so search again before important transactions and retain the search date and relevant records.
6. Important points
Company registration is not the same as holding the licence required to provide financial products, and the existence of a licence does not mean every business activity is authorised. Investors should verify the actual contracting legal entity and the risks of the product.
7. Official information
ASIC website and register search: https://asic.gov.au/
This article is for general information only. Refer to ASIC’s latest public records for current regulatory information.
How to use search results in practice
Open the ASIC search results alongside the other party’s account agreement and compare the AFSL holder, service provider, authorised representative and product category item by item. If an authorised representative solicits customers, confirm the representative’s authorisation relationship with the licence holder and whether it covers the products and services offered. An ACN or ABN can help distinguish companies with similar names, but verify the number in the official register rather than relying solely on a document supplied by the other party.
The ASIC company register, financial services licence information and warning notices are separate sources of information; select the relevant register for the question at hand. Company name changes, licence variations or changes to representative relationships may make old marketing materials out of date. Before paying, independently contact the licence holder using official details and confirm the website and payment arrangements. If the platform cannot identify the legal entity providing the service, or asks you to transfer funds to a third-party account, pause and verify with ASIC.