AFS License Requirements in Australia: Eligibility, Documents & Criteria in 2026 

• Tetra Consultants provides detailed and practical information about the AFS License requirements in Australia that are required for business entities wanting to provide financial services in 2026. The regulatory environment in Australia can be quite difficult to navigate, and the experts at Tetra Consultants make it easy through their licensing specialists. 

• Whatever kind of assistance you need in terms of obtaining an authorization, understanding the conditions and compliance framework, our licensing and legal experts will work together with our accounting and tax experts to create an integrated solution. 

• The clients of Tetra Consultants receive customized help with application preparation and document assembly, as well as regulator liaison by the experts in our accounting and tax division. If you need reliable assistance in meeting your compliance requirements, the Australia AFS License advice provided by Tetra Consultants can prove invaluable. 

• For any firm that needs advice on AFS licenses, Tetra Consultants is ready to provide it with all the licensing and post-license compliance to help it needs. 

AFS License eligibility requirements in Australia in 2026 

• Carry out a financial services business in Australia, provided you are not exempted or representing a licensee’s business. 

• Engage in providing the financial service that is licensed, like provision of advice regarding financial products, dealing in financial products, market making, running a registered scheme, custodial or depository services, or claim handling and settling. 

• Get the license before commencing the financial services business, or be authorized by another licensee’s AFS license to do so. 

• Ensure the business structure and compliance framework used can facilitate the provision of those services, as well as responsible management. 

• Prepare yourself to submit the application and supporting documents for your business including details about the business, organization, and the services being offered. 

• Evaluate whether a limited AFS license is applicable in your case because your business requires authority for certain financial services. 

• Be aware of the continuous obligations following licensing, since meeting the requirements for eligibility is just the beginning. 

Documents required to fulfill AFS License requirements in Australia in 2026 

Documents of the company 

• Details on ASIC application form along with the business profile, which should include the type of financial services, business operations and licensing scope. 

• Certificate of Incorporation and the Constitution of the company, if applicable. 

• Details on Australian Business Number and Australian Company Number. 

• An organization chart indicating the ownership, management structure, and organizational reporting lines. 

• Business plan that identifies target customers, business model, operational model and compliance structure. 

• Financial statements along with the financial information. 

• Compliance framework and Risk Management framework. 

• Manual of policies and procedures that include complaint handling, dispute resolution, record keeping, and conflict management. 

• Proof of office address of the company. 

Documents of the key personnel 

• Proof identity of each of the key personnel such as passport and proof of address. 

• Curriculum vitae giving detailed accounts of qualifications, employment history, and experience in the financial services industry. 

• Certificates of academic qualifications and professional qualifications relevant to the license authorizations sought. 

• Competence of responsible managers, demonstrating knowledge and experience in the relevant service areas. 

• Police clearance or background check documents, as may be applicable to assessment of fitness and propriety of key personnel. 

• Undertaking or statutory declarations by key personnel on accuracy of the information provided in the application form. 

• Contact details and responsibilities of each of the key personnel involved in governance or supervision. 

Documents relating to the compliance arrangement 

• Matrix of Responsible Managers demonstrating how each of the services proposed to be authorized is covered by personnel meeting ASIC’s knowledge and competence criteria. 

• Compliance manual demonstrating monitoring, review, escalation, and corrective actions. 

• Risk management policy and controls register. 

• Complaints handling and external dispute resolution process. 

• Conflict management policy, if the business engages in provision of advice or dealing with clients, which might give rise to conflicts of interest. 

• Document management policy and records retention process. 

• Third-party service providers’ agreement, if any part of the business is outsourced. 

Criteria for obtaining the AFS license in Australia 

• ASIC will decide whether the applicant is competent enough to conduct the financial service business sought. 

• The applicant should prove that he/she has sufficient financial resources to conduct the proposed business. 

• The applicant should prove that he/she is capable of fulfilling all the requirements of being an AFS licensee. 

• The application should be complete and accurate. 

• The business should lodge its applications using ASIC’s Regulatory Portal. 

• The applicant should be prepared to provide all the necessary details required by ASIC to complete the application process. 

• In case the application does not comply with the requirements of ASIC, it can either be returned, rejected, or delayed. 

Conclusion 

• Obtaining an AFS License requirement in Australia will be a strategic step for any company that wants to offer financial services in 2026. The process requires proper preparation, regulation of knowledge, and excellent compliance planning, hence the reason why many companies opt to work with Tetra Consultants. 

• The firm offers a range of services, such as eligibility assessment, license scope planning, corporate structure analysis, nominee director and shareholder services, assistance with a corporate bank account opening, application process, documentation process, and coordinating with the relevant parties during the process. In addition, we also help our clients with setting up compliance frameworks and license maintenance to ensure that the company complies with the local requirements. 

• Through the support of Tetra Consultants’ licensing experts, licensing and legal experts, and accounting and tax experts, companies will have an easier time applying for the license. Our accounting and tax expert department also helps in ensuring that financial documents and requirements are in line with the license application process. 

• For companies that want to apply for the AFS license in 2026, working with Tetra Consultants would be the best option. 

• Contact us and we will respond within 24 hours.