How to check an Australian financial services licence
Learn how to search ASIC's official registers and check the legal entity, licence status, authorisations, and representative relationships.
This is general consumer education, not legal or financial advice. Rules and register entries can change; check the current official record for the relevant service and jurisdiction.
Search ASIC's register
Start from ASIC's official register search page. Search by the exact business or legal name and, where available, the licence or Australian company number. A trading brand can differ from the licensee named in the record.
Read the authorisations
Review the licence status, authorised financial services, product types, and any conditions. A licence for one activity does not automatically cover another. If an authorised representative is involved, check the relationship and scope shown in the official record.
Confirm the channel
Compare the website and contact information you were given with independently obtained company details. A register entry does not establish that a particular email, social account, or website belongs to the listed entity.
Official sources
- ASIC official register searchAustralian corporate and financial-services regulator
These links are starting points for checking current records. Their inclusion is not an endorsement and does not verify a particular company or offer.
Frequently asked questions
Does ASIC registration mean every product is licensed?
No. Check the specific licence and authorisations against the service being offered.
Is an Australian company registration the same as an AFS licence?
No. Company registration and financial-services licensing are different records with different purposes.