An Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) is a license for any Australian businesses involved in the provision of financial services. It is issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as required by the Corporations Act 2001.

You must have an Australian financial services (AFS) license to conduct a financial services business.

If you carry on a business of providing financial services, you must hold an AFS license (unless you are exempt or are authorised to provide those services as a representative of another person who holds an AFS license).

You may need an AFS license if, as part of your business, you:

• Provide financial product advice to clients.
• Deal in a financial product.
• Make a market for a financial product.
• Operate a registered scheme.
• Provide a custodial or depository service.
• Provide traditional trustee company services.