Australian Securities and Investments Commission
ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets, and financial-services regulator. An Australian Financial Services Licence is a strong signal, but product protections and eligibility still depend on the account entity.
Trust tier
Strong regulator
Strict supervision, mature enforcement, and stronger client-money or compensation frameworks.
Australian Financial Services Licence for securities, derivatives, forex, CFDs, or advice/dealing services.
Australia does not work like an unlimited broker guarantee; dispute and compensation paths depend on entity and rules.
Asia-Pacific
What it means
How to read ASIC regulation
- A verified AFSL under ASIC is a strong trust signal for the Australian entity.
- ASIC-regulated retail CFD providers must follow retail product-intervention conditions.
- Users should confirm the AFSL number, legal entity, and authorized activities.
Limits
What this license does not guarantee
- It does not guarantee profits, good pricing, or suitability.
- It may not cover a user onboarded under a non-Australian entity in the same broker group.
- Compensation and dispute outcomes depend on rules, facts, and eligibility.
Verify
How to check this license
Search the legal entity or AFSL number on ASIC registers.
Check the broker website and account terms for the exact entity handling your account.
Confirm the licensed activities include the product you plan to trade.
Red flags
When to be careful
- AFSL details point to a different brand or unrelated entity.
- International users are routed to an offshore entity while the site highlights ASIC.
- The license is presented without an AFSL number or register link.
Compare regulators
Other license guides
Important disclosure
Broker research, not investment advice
Availability, fees, investor protection, and regulation can vary by country and legal entity. Verify the broker and regulator details directly before opening an account.