Australian Regulator Issues 290 New AFS Licenses in FY25, Revokes 215 Others

Sydney – The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) approved 290 new Australian Financial Services (AFS) licenses during the financial year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, while revoking or suspending 215 existing ones, according to the agency's latest figures. AFS licenses are required for entities offering financial services, including contracts for difference (CFD) brokers operating in the country.

Surge in Applications and Processing Efficiency

ASIC handled 1,531 licensing and registration applications over the period, finalizing 1,176 for new and varied AFS and credit licenses. This included 450 approvals for license variations. New AFS applications rose 10 percent year-over-year, though cancellations and suspensions fell 20 percent.

The regulator processed 77 percent of new AFS applications and 76 percent of variations within 150 days. ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland commented, “Our licensing team plays an important role in assessing applications for licenses and professional registration across the financial services and credit sectors.”

Growing Interest from Digital Asset Providers

Applications from digital asset firms increased, reflecting sector expansion. Kirkland noted, “Applications from digital asset operators are on the rise, underscoring the growing interest in the crypto sector.” This follows ASIC's October 2025 guidance clarifying how existing financial laws cover digital assets, anticipating more AFS applications from crypto providers.

Anti-Scam Measures Remain a Priority

Beyond licensing, ASIC removed 6,900 investment scam and phishing websites in the year to June 30, demonstrating continued enforcement against online threats. The agency also proposed comprehensive licensing for crypto operations to enhance consumer protections under current frameworks.

Staying Updated with Broker Verification Tools

WikiFX serves as a global broker review platform, aggregating regulatory records, user complaints, and risk ratings for thousands of firms. With licensing changes happening rapidly—like the recent uptick in AFS approvals and revocations—traders can use WikiFX for quick searches to confirm a broker's current status and avoid potential issues.