Risk and Compliance

The SPF creates world leading protections against scams. It creates new obligations and rules for certain businesses in sectors targeted by scammers.

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The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has imposed additional licence conditions on Diversa Trustees Limited (Diversa) to address prudential concerns relating to its investment governance frameworks and practices, including oversight of platform investment options made available to members.

Diversa acts as trustee for 10 registrable superannuation entities and has approximately 291,000 member accounts and over $15 billion in funds under management.

The additional licence conditions follow APRA’s recent thematic review of the investment governance, strategic planning and member outcomes practices of superannuation trustees that offer platforms (Platform Trustees). Broadly, the review identified deficiencies in Diversa’s onboarding processes and practices, investment option monitoring and reporting, and management of conflicts of interest.

Specifically, APRA’s review of Diversa identified concerns regarding the:

• onboarding of new investment options, including the lack of sufficiently rigorous, well-defined and consistently applied investment selection criteria;
• adequacy of operational due diligence undertaken in relation to new investment options; and
• adequacy of Diversa’s investment monitoring and reporting framework.

APRA requires assurance, with appropriate oversight by an independent expert, that Diversa’s investment governance framework and practices are fit for purpose in their design and operation.

So called ‘pump and dump’ operators – unscrupulous actors who start rumours about small cap securities to inflate the share price in the hope of making a quick profit, are increasingly targeting Australian investors ahead of the holiday period, with a notable rise in reports to the regulator.

ASIC is warning the public to be vigilant about widespread, coordinated pump and dump schemes targeting retail investors, including Australians trading in overseas markets, who can be tricked into buying thinly traded overseas stocks that are then rapidly sold down by the promoters once the price has been inflated.

ASIC has also observed scammers fraudulently using the identity of Australian celebrities to lure victims into messaging apps like WhatsApp where they are directed to buy shares.

This warning comes as four people involved in a coordinated scheme to pump up Australian share prices, before dumping them at inflated prices were sentenced today in Downing Street Court.

The Federal Court has ordered Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) pay $250 million in penalties for widespread misconduct and systemic risk failures affecting the Australian Government, taxpayers and at least 65,000 retail bank customers.

These are the largest combined penalties ASIC has ever secured against a single entity.

His Honour Justice Jonathan Beach increased the penalty for ANZ’s inaccurate reporting of secondary bond market turnover data by $10 million, bringing the penalty in relation to that misconduct to $50 million.

The outcome is in relation to four separate court proceedings spanning misconduct across ANZ’s Institutional and Retail divisions, announced in September 2025 (25-201MR).

The Federal Court has ordered Australian financial services licensee RM Capital Pty Ltd to pay a $575,000 penalty and its authorised representative The SMSF Club Pty Ltd to pay a $350,000 penalty over conflicted remuneration breaches.

The penalties follow a Federal Court finding in February 2024 that RM Capital had failed to take reasonable steps between August 2013 and August 2016 to ensure that SMSF Club did not accept conflicted remuneration.

The Court also made findings that on multiple occasions between November 2014 and July 2016 SMSF Club accepted conflicted remuneration. It found that SMSF Club received a total of $135,863.65 in referral fees from real estate agent Positive RealEstate Pty Ltd (for assisting SMSF Club clients to set up a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) and purchase property from Positive RealEstate.

The referral fees were paid as part of a referral agreement between SMSF Club and Positive Real Estate. On each occasion it accepted a referral fee, SMSF Club breached the provision of the Corporations Act which prohibits an authorised representative from accepting conflicted remuneration.

As the licensee that authorised SMSF Club to provide financial services, RM Capital contravened s963F of the Corporations Act by failing to take reasonable steps to ensure SMSF Club did not accept the payments.

ASIC has banned Melbourne-based financial adviser Louis Van Coppenhagen from providing financial services, controlling an entity that carries on a financial services business or performing any function involved in the carrying on of a financial services business for 7 years.

ASIC found that Mr Van Coppenhagen, while authorised by MWL Financial Services Pty Ltd (MWL), gave inappropriate advice to certain clients which was not in their best interests. Mr Van Coppenhagen recommended certain MWL clients invest most of their superannuation into the ‘High Growth’ or ‘Growth’ class of the Shield Master Fund (Shield) which were high risk investments.

ASIC also found that Mr Van Coppenhagen, while authorised by United Global Capital Pty Ltd (UGC), was instrumental to the implementation of UGC’s advice model including preparing a template Advice Proposal Document. ASIC cancelled UGC’s licence for providing conflicted personal advice concerning highly speculative investments.

ASIC has reason to believe that Mr Van Coppenhagen is not a fit and proper person, is not competent and is likely to contravene a financial services law.

The banning order took effect from 16 December 2025.

Macquarie Securities (Australia) Limited (MSAL) has admitted to misleading conduct in relation to the misreporting millions of short sales over several years, caused by repeated failures in its systems and processes.

Netwealth has agreed to pay over $100 million in compensation to more than 1,000 Australians who invested their superannuation in the First Guardian Master Fund and has admitted it contravened the Corporations Act.

ASIC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd (NSS) and Netwealth Investments Limited (NIL), as trustees of the Netwealth Superannuation Master Fund (NSMF).

NSS and NIL have admitted they failed to obtain and therefore did not assess sufficient information about the First Guardian Master Fund, or make sufficient independent enquiries, to understand or evaluate the investment risk in the First Guardian Diversified Class and Growth Class prior to or while offering them as investment options to NSMF members.

ASIC will seek orders that NSS and NIL failed to do all things necessary to ensure that the financial services covered by their financial services licences were provided efficiently, honestly and fairly.

ASIC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from NSS and NIL to ensure members are compensated 100% of the amounts they invested in First Guardian less any amounts withdrawn. The compensation payments will be made by 30 January 2026.

ASIC has today released a series of updates to improve and simplify its regulatory guidance on complying with technological and operational resilience rules for market participants and market operators.

Resilient market participants and market operators are essential to the integrity of our securities and futures markets and to the efficient functioning of the economy.

The updates are the third stage of ASIC’s work to review and clarify guidance relating to Chapters 8A and 8B of the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Securities Markets) 2017 and the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Futures Markets) 2017 (Resilience Rules) set out in:

• Regulatory Guide 265 Guidance on ASIC market integrity rules for participants of securities markets (RG 265)
• Regulatory Guide 266 Guidance on ASIC market integrity rules for participants of futures markets (RG 266), and
• Regulatory Guide 172 Financial markets: Domestic and overseas operators (RG 172).

The updates align with ASIC’s commitment to regulatory simplification and include changes to reduce repetition and the length of guidance, as well as structural improvements. Further, the updates:

• incorporate guidance on arrangements for identifying critical business services previously shared in September 2024 in a letter to participants
• give certainty that critical business services arrangements may leverage existing resilience frameworks, including service provider’s business continuity plans and redundancy arrangements for outsourcing arrangements, where suitable
• confirm that, in some situations, full redundancy arrangements may not be required for all critical business services
• clarify thresholds for identifying and reporting major events to ASIC
• remove referenced to superseded APRA standards and guidance.

The updates also incorporate class waivers ASIC granted in August 2025 to provide relief from some requirements for outsourcing arrangements where supply of energy or communications services were identified as critical business services.

APRA and AUSTRAC have both announced actions to address weaknesses in Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s (Bendigo Bank) money laundering risk management, non‑financial risk management practices and risk culture.

It follows the findings of an independent review undertaken by Deloitte into suspected money laundering at a Bendigo Bank branch, which the bank reported to AUSTRAC. This independent review found significant deficiencies with Bendigo Bank’s approach to the identification, mitigation and management of money laundering and terrorism financing risk.

APRA is concerned that the weaknesses identified by that investigation may be applicable across the bank’s operations more broadly. AUSTRAC shares APRA’s concerns.

As a result, APRA and AUSTRAC are today announcing the following actions, which are coordinated to ensure Bendigo Bank intensifies its efforts to strengthen its non-financial risk management systems and practices:

• APRA will require Bendigo Bank to undertake a root cause analysis to understand the extent of non-financial risk management issues at the bank, going beyond money laundering and terrorism financing;
• APRA will require Bendigo Bank to hold an operational risk capital add-on of $50 million; and
• AUSTRAC has commenced an enforcement investigation which will focus on whether Bendigo Bank has complied with its obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has imposed additional licence conditions on Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) to address prudential concerns relating to its investment governance frameworks and practices, including oversight of platform investment options made available to members.

ETSL acts as trustee for 11 registrable superannuation entities (RSEs) and has approximately 649,000 member accounts and over $37 billion in funds under management.

The additional licence conditions follow APRA’s recent thematic review of the investment governance, strategic planning and member outcomes practices of superannuation trustees that offer platforms (‘Platform Trustees’). Broadly, the review identified deficiencies in ETSL’s onboarding processes and practices, including adequacy of investment selection criteria and due diligence, as well as investment option monitoring and reporting frameworks, and management of conflicts of interest.

Specifically, APRA’s review of ETSL identified concerns regarding:

• onboarding of new investment options to ensure they are assessed consistently, are in the best financial interests of members, and appropriately manage conflicts of interest;
• adequate knowledge, operational and investment due diligence undertaken in relation to new investment options;
• identifying key risks, and ensuring independent analysis of information received from investment managers and external research and rating agencies; and
• the adequacy of investment monitoring and reporting to identify and manage higher risk investment options.

Under the additional licence conditions, effective 18 December 2025, ETSL is required to:

• appoint an independent expert to undertake separate reviews of its platforms’ investment menus and investment governance framework;
• develop and implement an uplift plan to address identified gaps, and provide APRA with assurance or attestation that the remediation actions are complete and effective; and
• undertake a further review of its investment menu against the enhanced investment governance requirements to determine ongoing suitability of each investment option.

ETSL must also refrain from onboarding certain new high-risk investment options to its platform until an independent expert confirms the option has gone through the uplifted onboarding process and an accountable person attests that all reasonable steps were taken to ensure the option is in members’ best financial interests.

Share your views on the review of the Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox (ERS).

This consultation asks for views on:

• sources of and barriers to financial innovation in Australia
• how effective the ERS is
• how the ERS could better support financial innovation.

Your feedback will inform the review’s final report to government.

The ERS allows individuals or businesses to test innovative financial services or credit activities. They do not need an Australian financial services licence or Australian credit licence to use the ERS.

The ERS was introduced in 2020. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) administers it.

ASIC has today updated its regulatory guidance on managing conflicts of interest for Australian financial services businesses.

The changes align our guidance with developments in law and policy and draw on ASIC’s regulatory experience and insights from its surveillance of private markets.

‘Conflicts of interest aren’t just ethical dilemmas. They pose real threats that erode trust, tarnish reputations, and cause lasting harm to consumers, investors, and the entire financial ecosystem,’ ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said.

‘Effective conflict management is more than a regulatory checkbox—it’s the cornerstone of trust in financial services.

The updated Regulatory Guide 181 AFS Licensing: Managing Conflicts of Interest (RG 181) sets out clear, principles-based guidance for Australian financial services (AFS) licensees.

It aims to help licensees fulfil their licensing obligation to have robust arrangements and tailored conflict management strategies in place.

Key updates include:

• how the law applies to conflicts of interest, including the scope of the conflicts management obligation and links to other related obligations
• the types of conflicts AFS licensees should identify and manage
• the need for robust, tailored arrangements to manage conflicts
• practical steps for effective conflict management, and
• a non-exhaustive ‘catalogue’ of related legal obligations and information.

The revised RG 181 replaces guidance issued in August 2004 and is part of ASIC’s ongoing regulatory maintenance and simplification agenda—making it easier for businesses to access regulatory information and understand their obligations.

ASIC has banned Sydney-based mortgage broker Ms Thi Hoa Trieu from engaging in credit activities, controlling another person who engages in credit activities, and performing any function involved in the engaging in of credit activities for a period of ten years.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published the Annual Superannuation Bulletin for the year ended 30 June 2025.

The annual superannuation bulletin provides an overview of the superannuation industry, and is published on an annual basis. These statistics contains information on funds and membership profile, key financial performance metrics, financial position, fees and expenses.

The publication is available on APRA’s website at: Annual superannuation bulletin

ASIC has released the first set of educational materials to help smaller companies and report preparers in understanding and applying the foundational concepts behind the new sustainability reporting requirements.

The sustainability reporting requirements are new for Australia and impose new obligations on directors and reporting entities but can also affect small and medium-sized companies that support reporting entities.

ASIC partnered with the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) to develop eight learning modules on the sustainability reporting framework, and the PDF versions of the first three modules were released today.

ASIC has obtained commitments from ASX Group (ASX) on a package of reforms including:• Strengthening the independence and governance of ASX’s Clearing and Settlement Facilities Boards
• A strategic reset of ASX’s transformation program ‘Accelerate’, with clear milestones and accountability for delivery
• The imposition of an additional $150 million capital charge on ASX Limited to ensure ASX maintains robust financial resources until remediation is complete
• A commitment to stronger leadership

In addition, ASIC and the RBA will step up their review to uplift their joint supervisory model.

The package will strengthen confidence in ASX and Australia’s critical market infrastructure, provides certainty about the market operator’s reset, and responds to the Interim Report released today by the panel of the Inquiry into the ASX Group.

The Inquiry, announced in June 2025 and led by an expert panel, has identified shortcomings in ASX’s governance, capability, risk management and culture that required urgent attention and response. Due to the urgency of the reset required, the insights of the Report were shared with ASIC, and ASIC engaged with ASX.

The report finds that, while some progress has been made, more of the same is not an option. The scale of transformation required is significant and cannot be achieved through current tactical, incremental measures or business as usual.

Business lender Green County Pty Ltd and its loan introducer, Max Funding Pty Ltd, have been ordered to pay combined penalties of $515,000 by the Federal Court in relation to four loans provided by Green County to two consumers in breach of consumer credit laws.

Green County was fined $405,000 for engaging in unlicensed credit activity and breaching consumer protection provisions. Max Funding was fined $110,000 for engaging in unlicensed credit activity.

The Court earlier found Green County and Max Funding, neither of which have ever held an Australian credit licence allowing them to engage in consumer lending, failed to make reasonable inquiries or otherwise establish that the loans provided to the two consumers were business loans.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has imposed additional licence conditions on H.E.S.T Australia Ltd (HESTA) to address concerns regarding HESTA’s risk management and board governance during its recent transition of outsourced administration providers.

HESTA is one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds with 1.1 million members and approximately $100 billion in funds under management.

The conditions follow the transition of HESTA’s administrative services to a new provider, finalised in June 2025, which resulted in a severe, prolonged disruption to member services and caused direct harm to members.

APRA has identified deficiencies in HESTA’s board governance and management of risks which rendered HESTA inadequately prepared to effectively oversee and manage the transition.

Under the conditions, HESTA is required to conduct separate independent reviews of its risk management framework and board effectiveness. The reviews will be comprehensive in scope and will consider HESTA’s management of the transition.

ASIC has suspended the Australian financial services (AFS) licence of MW Planning Pty Ltd until 8 June 2026.

ASIC suspended MW Planning’s licence for not meeting its organisational competence and human resources obligations when it failed to appoint a new responsible manager following ASIC’s banning of its existing responsible manager, Robert John Tohill, on 25 August 2025.

ASIC also found that MW Planning had failed to:

• lodge required financial statements and an auditor opinion for the 2024 financial year, and
• report its failures to ASIC.

ASIC has specified that MW Planning must remain a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and maintain professional indemnity insurance cover during the suspension period.

MW Planning has the right to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for a review of ASIC’s decision.