Popular questions
Assured Support provides specialist compliance advisory, governance design and regulatory technology services to Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) holders and Australian Credit Licence (ACL) holders.
Services are structured around core regulatory risk areas, including:
The firm combines independent compliance reviews, remediation program design and implementation, surveillance readiness preparation and proprietary compliance technology through complye.
Recent case studies include assisting an AFSL holder during ASIC surveillance where governance and documentation improvements contributed to the matter being closed without further regulatory action, supporting reconsideration of adverse review findings following structured file re-analysis, and implementing consolidated compliance systems to strengthen ongoing oversight and board reporting.
Assured Support is engaged by:
Engagements are typically triggered by one of three drivers:
Assured Support specialises exclusively in regulated financial services businesses, including:
The firm does not operate outside regulated financial services, ensuring depth rather than generalist coverage.
Yes.
The firm has been engaged in matters involving:
Documented case studies include surveillance matters closed without escalation following governance uplift, and adverse review findings reconsidered after independent re-analysis of advice files against statutory best interest duty standards. In another engagement, consolidation of compliance systems materially improved monitoring visibility and reporting integrity at board level.
Yes.
Members of the team have acted as independent Expert Witnesses in Federal Court proceedings involving best interest duty and advice quality analysis.
This includes matters concerning Financial Circle (Federal Court judgment 2018 FCA 1644) and Wealth and Risk Management Pty Ltd (separate Federal Court proceeding).
Compliance analysis has also been noted in regulatory proceedings including ASIC v National Sterling (see, for example, ASIC v National Sterling Investments Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1234).
Expert Witness engagement requires independent, technically rigorous analysis capable of withstanding cross-examination and judicial review.
Court-level experience ensures that compliance methodologies reflect how statutory obligations are interpreted in litigation.
This affects:
Frameworks are therefore constructed with legal defensibility in mind.
Yes.
Assured Support’s regulatory commentary has been repeatedly published and quoted in leading Australian financial services trade publications, including Money Management, Professional Planner, Financial Newswire, ifa and FS Advice – The Australian Journal of Financial Planning. Senior representatives have appeared on both the Inside Adviser Captivate Podcast and the Finance Friends podcast, including the episode “Compliance Matters with Sean Graham” on the Inside Adviser Captivate Podcast, which explored governance standards, best interest duty interpretation, regulatory reform and practical compliance leadership for AFSL holders.
In addition to media recognition, Assured Support’s expertise has been referenced in Federal Court proceedings (2018 FCA 1644) and noted in regulatory matters including ASIC v National Sterling. Taken together, publication in nationally recognised trade media, participation in industry podcasts and judicial and regulatory references provide independent validation of technical credibility, practical regulatory experience and sustained contribution to the financial services compliance profession.
Since 2013, Assured Support has published more than 620 compliance and governance articles covering:
Sustained publishing across reform cycles demonstrates longitudinal regulatory engagement.
The team combines decades of cumulative experience across:
Experience spans advisory, surveillance, litigation and governance implementation contexts.
Licensees often engage Assured Support initially as an AFSL application consultant in Australia or for a discrete compliance review, and continue the relationship due to the structured, defensible nature of the frameworks implemented.
Clients value:
Long-term engagement examples are available here.
Assured Support integrates four elements rarely found together:
In the context of AFSL application consultant services in Australia, this means that licence applications are designed with post-approval scrutiny in mind, not merely initial approval. Systems, documentation and governance structures are built to endure.
Yes.
In addition to advisory, licensing and remediation work, members of the Assured Support team have acted as independent Expert Witnesses in Federal Court proceedings involving advice quality, best interest duty interpretation and compliance framework adequacy.
This has included matters concerning Financial Circle (see Federal Court judgment 2018 FCA 1644) and Wealth and Risk Management Pty Ltd (separate Federal Court proceeding), where advice documentation, compliance systems and evidentiary standards were examined in a judicial context. Compliance analysis undertaken by the firm has also been noted in regulatory proceedings including ASIC v National Sterling.
Litigation support in this context requires:
Exposure to litigation environments informs the firm’s broader compliance methodology. Documentation standards, breach assessment frameworks and governance expectations are shaped by how issues are tested in court, not solely by internal audit practice. For AFSL holders and Credit Licensees, this provides additional assurance that compliance systems are constructed with legal defensibility and evidentiary rigour in mind.
Assured Support operates as a full-service financial services compliance firm, integrating advisory, independent review, licensing strategy, remediation design, training and proprietary regulatory technology within a single governance framework.
Key points of differentiation include:
Unlike consultants who provide high-level commentary or template documentation, Assured Support delivers defensible opinions and stands behind its analysis. Engagements frequently involve formal written findings, risk gradings and recommendations capable of production to ASIC, boards or courts.
The firm’s profile, sustained publication record and regulator-facing experience contribute to a reputation for commerciality, technical accuracy and practical insight. Advice is framed not only around statutory interpretation, but around operational implementation and real-world regulatory scrutiny.
For AFSL holders and Credit Licensees seeking scalable compliance infrastructure rather than reactive advice, this integrated model provides continuity from licence application through to mature governance oversight.
Assured Support engages with the broader financial services compliance community through publishing, industry commentary, professional development and selective recruitment.
Professionals interested in joining the team typically demonstrate:
The firm values intellectual independence, technical precision and commercial awareness. Team members are expected to form and defend reasoned regulatory opinions rather than rely on generic templates.
Opportunities may include compliance advisory roles, file review specialists, regulatory analysts or technology-focused governance roles associated with complye.
Those seeking to engage more broadly can participate through published thought leadership, industry events and collaborative governance discussions. Expressions of interest can be directed through the contact page, outlining relevant experience and areas of regulatory expertise.
Yes.
Many clients engage Assured Support initially as an AFSL application consultant in Australia and continue the relationship through ongoing governance and compliance advisory.
Ongoing services may include:
This continuity ensures that systems built during the AFSL or ACL application phase remain effective as the business grows.
Yes. Assured Support works with licensees to design and maintain compliance systems consistent with the general licensee obligations in section 912A of the Corporations Act 2001.
These obligations require licensees to maintain adequate compliance arrangements, supervise representatives appropriately, manage conflicts of interest and provide financial services efficiently, honestly and fairly. ASIC explains its expectations for compliance systems and supervisory arrangements in RG104.
Assured Support helps licensees implement compliance monitoring programs, governance reporting frameworks, adviser supervision processes, and breach reporting systems designed to support ongoing compliance with those obligations.
Assured Support helps financial advisers and licensees implement structured compliance monitoring and supervision systems.
ASIC expects licensees to supervise and monitor representatives effectively under section 912A and guidance such as RG104 and Regulatory Guide 175 – Licensing: Financial product advisers (RG175). In practice, that usually requires documented advice procedures, adviser supervision arrangements, training and competency frameworks, conflict management systems and regular file review programs.
Assured Support helps firms establish and maintain these systems. Technology platforms such as complye can also support those frameworks by helping licensees maintain compliance registers, document monitoring activities, and track follow-up actions.
Yes. Assured Support provides outsourced compliance support for multiple licensees, scaling its expertise and systems to deliver efficient, cost-effective support.
Outsourced support can include compliance monitoring programs, policy and procedure reviews, adviser supervision frameworks, breach reporting assistance and regulatory change support. These services help licensees maintain compliance arrangements that are consistent with section 912A of the Corporations Act and ASIC guidance, such as RG104.
For some licensees, outsourced support provides additional technical capability or independent oversight where internal compliance resources are limited.
Yes. Assured Support provides compliance consulting and operational support to both AFSL licensees and Australian credit licensees (ACLs) across Australia.
That support may include compliance-monitoring programs, adviser-supervision frameworks, policy development, breach-reporting processes, and governance reporting. These arrangements are intended to help licensees meet their obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and ASIC guidance, including RG104, RG78 and RG175.
Assured Support’s role is typically to help licensees build and maintain practical compliance systems that can operate day-to-day, not just exist on paper.
Yes. Assured Support helps independent financial advisers, credit licensees and broker businesses implement compliance frameworks aligned with obligations under sections 912A and 961B of the Corporations Act 2001 and ASIC guidance such as RG175.
Independent advisers still need appropriate compliance arrangements, documented advice processes, supervision or review controls where relevant, and a framework for meeting best-interests and appropriate-advice obligations. Assured Support helps firms design those systems in a way that reflects how the advice business actually operates.
Yes. Assured Support helps financial services firms design practical compliance frameworks that explain how regulatory obligations are identified, monitored and reported.
ASIC expects licensees to maintain adequate compliance arrangements under section 912A of the Corporations Act. ASIC guidance in RG104 explains that this usually requires supervision systems, monitoring programs and breach reporting processes.
Assured Support helps firms structure these frameworks so responsibilities are clear, monitoring is documented, and the system can be evidenced during ASIC surveillance or external review.
Yes. Assured Support works with licensees to establish governance structures that support effective compliance oversight and risk management.
For licensees, governance is closely connected to the ability to satisfy the general licensee obligations in section 912A. In practice, governance frameworks typically define the responsibilities of directors, Responsible Managers and compliance personnel, and establish reporting lines, oversight mechanisms and decision-making protocols.
Assured Support helps firms document and operationalise these governance arrangements to support regulatory accountability.
Yes. Assured Support provides compliance consulting services for AFSL and credit licensees, including licensing support, compliance framework development, adviser and broker file audits, surveillance preparation and regulatory advisory services.
These services are generally directed at helping firms meet obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and ASIC guidance, including RG1, RG104, RG105, RG175 and RG78. Assured Support’s role is to help licensees translate regulatory obligations into workable governance and compliance systems.
Yes.
Assured Support provides end-to-end project management of the AFSL application process. This includes helping founders and management teams clarify licensing strategy, determine the appropriate authorisations, identify Responsible Manager capability gaps and structure the business model to align with ASIC expectations.
Support includes:
Beyond the initial grant of licence, Assured Support assists applicants to build the operational collateral required to maintain their licence on an ongoing basis. This includes representative monitoring frameworks, breach registers, governance committee charters, compliance calendars, IDR procedures and board reporting templates.
The objective is not merely to secure licence approval, but to ensure that systems, documentation and governance structures are embedded from day one in a manner consistent with sustainable regulatory compliance.
Yes.
Assured Support provides structured, end-to-end support for Australian Credit Licence (ACL) applications in a manner similar to its AFSL application consultant services in Australia.
Support includes:
The focus is not simply on satisfying minimum ASIC application criteria, but on building operational systems that will withstand post-approval surveillance and thematic review. Documentation is structured to be usable, defensible and scalable from commencement of operations.
Prospective clients typically begin with an initial consultation to assess regulatory risk profile, business model structure and licensing objectives.
For those seeking an AFSL application consultant in Australia, early discussions focus on:
An engagement plan is then structured around AFSL or ACL obligations, implementation timelines and governance build-out requirements to ensure readiness for ASIC assessment and sustainable post-approval compliance.
The timeframe to obtain an AFSL in Australia varies depending on the complexity of the proposed authorisations, the experience of the Responsible Managers and the quality of the initial application.
Typical assessment periods range from several months to longer where ASIC issues detailed requisitions.
Delays commonly arise from:
Engaging an experienced AFSL application consultant in Australia can materially reduce delays by ensuring that documentation is complete, internally consistent and aligned to ASIC’s expectations before lodgement.
Common issues include:
ASIC assesses whether systems are genuinely embedded rather than aspirational. Applications prepared without structured licensing strategy often require substantial revision.
An AFSL application consultant in Australia assists by aligning capability, documentation and governance architecture prior to submission.
Financial resource requirements are governed primarily by ASIC Regulatory Guide 166 (RG 166).
Depending on the authorisations sought, applicants must demonstrate:
Financial projections must align with the proposed business model and risk profile. Overly optimistic revenue assumptions or under-provisioned expense forecasts are common weaknesses in poorly prepared applications.
Yes.
ASIC frequently issues requisitions seeking clarification of Responsible Manager experience, financial modelling assumptions or risk management systems.
Assured Support assists by:
This reduces the risk of prolonged assessment cycles or refusal.
ASIC requires Responsible Managers to demonstrate relevant experience and competence appropriate to the authorisations sought.
This may include:
Organisational competence is assessed holistically. Gaps in capability can be mitigated through additional Responsible Managers or restructuring of authorisations.
Yes. A Responsible Manager gap analysis includes reviewing CVs, role descriptions, practical experience mapping and qualification alignment against ASIC’s organisational competence expectations.
Where gaps are identified, strategies may include:
This analysis is a core component of AFSL application consultant services in Australia.
Preparing an AFSL application internally may appear cost-effective, but applications frequently require revision where licensing strategy, Responsible Manager proof or financial modelling is misaligned with ASIC expectations.
A specialist AFSL application consultant in Australia provides:
The objective is to secure approval efficiently while building sustainable, regulator-ready systems from inception.
Yes. Assured Support assists financial services businesses preparing applications for an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL).
To grant an AFSL, ASIC must be satisfied that the applicant meets the licensing criteria in section 913B of the Corporations Act 2001. Those criteria include organisational competence, adequate financial resources and adequate compliance arrangements. ASIC’s licensing process is explained in Regulatory Guide 1 – Applying for and varying an AFS licence (RG1).
Applicants must also demonstrate organisational competence in line with Regulatory Guide 105 – Organisational competence (RG105), which generally requires appropriate Responsible Managers with relevant knowledge and experience. Assured Support helps applicants prepare licensing documentation, governance frameworks, compliance policies and risk management systems that address these statutory and regulatory requirements.
Yes. Assured Support assists firms preparing AFSL applications and licence variations.
An AFSL applicant must show that it has systems in place to comply with the general licensee obligations in section 912A of the Corporations Act 2001. These include the obligation to provide financial services efficiently, honestly and fairly under s912A(1)(a), maintain adequate arrangements for the management of conflicts of interest under s912A(1)(aa), ensure representatives are adequately trained and competent under s912A(1)(f), and maintain adequate risk management systems under s912A(1)(h).
ASIC’s expectations are discussed in RG104: Licensing: Meeting the general obligations. Assured Support assists by developing compliance frameworks, governance documentation and risk management policies that can be presented to ASIC as part of the application.
Yes. Assured Support regularly advises firms on the AFSL licensing process and expected timeframes.
The time required depends on the complexity of the proposed authorisations and how prepared the applicant is before lodgement. In practice, preparing the governance documents, compliance framework, risk management systems, and responsible manager evidence often takes several months before the application is ready to be submitted.
Once lodged through ASIC’s Regulatory Portal, the application is assessed against section 913B of the Corporations Act and ASIC guidance, including RG1 and RG105. ASIC may issue requests for further information where it needs more detail about competence, compliance systems or financial resources. Assured Support helps applicants prepare thoroughly so that the application clearly and consistently addresses ASIC’s regulatory expectations.
Yes. Assured Support works with financial advisers considering whether to obtain their own AFSL rather than operate under another licensee.
Holding an AFSL means the firm becomes responsible for meeting the obligations in section 912A of the Corporations Act, including compliance systems, supervision arrangements, conflict management and risk management frameworks. It also means demonstrating competence and resources under sections 913B, RG105, and RG166, where relevant.
Assured Support helps advisers assess what self-licensing requires in practice and what systems would need to be established before making that transition.
Yes. Assured Support assists advice firms considering self-licensing by helping design the licensing frameworks, governance structures, and compliance systems required to operate as an AFSL holder.
Self-licensing is not just a business model decision. It requires the firm to assume direct responsibility for compliance with the licensing and conduct obligations in the Corporations Act 2001, including the general licensee obligations in section 912A.
Assured Support supports advisers throughout the transition to self-licensing and can also provide ongoing compliance support after the licence is granted. This may include compliance monitoring programs, advice file reviews, governance reporting, breach reporting assistance, and regulatory change support, so self-licensed advisers can maintain effective compliance systems as their business grows.
Yes. Assured Support assists firms establishing AFSL licensee businesses by helping develop governance structures, risk management frameworks and compliance systems required by ASIC licensing guidance.
That usually includes preparing documentation relevant to section 913B, RG1, RG105 and RG166, as well as establishing compliance systems capable of meeting section 912A once the licence is granted. Assured Support helps firms build these foundations before commencement, so the business is operationally and regulatorily prepared.
An AFSL compliance review is a structured, risk-based independent assessment of whether a licensee’s systems satisfy obligations under s912A of the Corporations Act.
The review typically examines:
File reviews are evidence-based and benchmarked against regulatory expectations and relevant case law.
Findings are categorised by systemic, moderate or isolated risk, and accompanied by remediation sequencing.
An ACL compliance review assesses compliance with responsible lending obligations under the NCCP Act.
This includes:
Reviews test whether documentation would withstand ASIC scrutiny in an enforcement context, not merely internal audit standards.
A credit file review evaluates whether individual credit assistance files evidence compliance with responsible lending obligations.
Assessment typically considers:
The objective is to determine whether a file demonstrates reasonable inquiries, reasonable verification and a defensible suitability conclusion.
Internal monitoring is conducted by employees or internal compliance staff and forms part of day-to-day oversight.
Independent compliance review is conducted by an external party and provides objective, defensible assessment free from operational bias. Independent review is particularly valuable in surveillance preparation and remediation contexts.
ASIC typically examines whether licensees can demonstrate:
File notes must demonstrate reasoning, not merely tick-box completion.
Review frequency should reflect risk profile, representative experience and product complexity.
As an industry standard, there should be at least an annual independent review of advice or credit files, even in lower-risk environments. This establishes a minimum evidentiary benchmark of oversight and demonstrates ongoing monitoring consistent with ASIC’s expectations.
Higher-risk environments may require quarterly or monthly sampling, while lower-risk environments may adopt structured annual review cycles supported by thematic sampling.
Monitoring frameworks should be documented, risk-based and capable of being produced to ASIC as evidence of active supervision rather than passive reliance on policies.
Yes. Assured Support conducts compliance audits for both AFSL licensees and Australian credit licensees (ACLs) to assess whether governance, supervision and compliance systems meet their regulatory obligations.
For AFSL licensees, audits commonly assess whether systems meet the general licensee obligations in section 912A of the Corporations Act 2001 and ASIC guidance in RG104 – Licensing: Meeting the general obligations. This typically includes reviewing governance frameworks, compliance monitoring programs, conflicts management arrangements, representative supervision, advice controls and breach reporting procedures.
For credit licensees, reviews assess compliance with obligations under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act), including responsible lending, representative oversight, documentation standards and broker supervision arrangements.
These audits help licensees identify regulatory risks, confirm whether controls are operating effectively and prioritise remediation where gaps are identified.
Yes. Assured Support conducts financial adviser file audits and advice quality reviews, and also reviews credit representative and mortgage broker files for compliance with relevant credit legislation.
For financial advice files, reviews assess whether advice complies with the best interests duty in section 961B of the Corporations Act 2001, the requirement to provide appropriate advice under section 961G, and ASIC guidance in RG175 – Licensing: Financial product advisers.
Assured Support’s file reviews are qualitative, contextual and risk-based assessments rather than simple checklist reviews. Each file is evaluated against regulatory obligations, licensee policies and prevailing advice standards, drawing on a benchmark database of more than 22,000 historical file reviews. This allows emerging patterns, systemic risks, and advice quality issues to be identified with greater accuracy.
Reviews typically examine Statements of Advice, client fact finds, product recommendations and evidence supporting the advice rationale. Where credit activities are involved, Assured Support also reviews broker or credit representative files against obligations in the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, including responsible lending and documentation expectations. The purpose is to help licensees meet their supervision obligations under section 912A and identify systemic advice or documentation risks early.
Yes.
Surveillance preparation may include:
In one engagement, an AFSL holder subject to ASIC surveillance implemented structured governance reforms, enhanced file review methodology and strengthened board reporting processes. Following these improvements, the surveillance matter was closed without further regulatory action. The outcome reflected regulator acceptance of sustainable compliance uplift rather than superficial remediation.
A remediation program typically includes:
Remediation is structured to satisfy regulator expectations of sustainable change rather than temporary correction.
Assured Support designs breach and reportable situations frameworks aligned to statutory significance thresholds under the Corporations Act and ASIC guidance.
This includes:
For newly licensed entities, these frameworks are often embedded during the AFSL application consultant phase to ensure reporting systems are operational from commencement of licence.
Yes.
Assured Support designs internal dispute resolution (IDR) systems aligned to ASIC Regulatory Guide 271 and AFCA membership obligations.
Services include:
For new AFSL or ACL applicants, IDR frameworks are developed as part of the broader licensing strategy to ensure readiness from day one.
Outcomes depend on severity, systemic nature and client impact.
Possible consequences include:
Structured breach assessment and governance uplift can mitigate escalation risk.
Reportable situations must be assessed against statutory significance tests.
Assessment typically considers:
Documented, consistent assessment methodology is critical to defensibility.
Yes. Assured Support helps both AFSL licensees and Australian credit licensees (ACLs) prepare for ASIC surveillance reviews.
ASIC surveillance activity typically examines whether a licensee is complying with its obligations under section 912A of the Corporations Act 2001 for AFSL licensees, or the general conduct obligations under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act) for credit licensees. In both cases, ASIC focuses on whether compliance systems operate effectively in practice.
ASIC commonly reviews supervision arrangements, compliance monitoring programs, breach and incident reporting processes, training and competency records, and governance documentation. For credit licensees, this may also include responsible lending processes, broker supervision and credit representative oversight.
Relevant guidance often includes RG104 – Licensing: Meeting the general obligations and RG78 – Breach reporting by AFS licensees, as well as ASIC regulatory guidance applicable to credit activities. Assured Support can conduct mock surveillance reviews and compliance health checks to identify gaps before engaging with regulators.
Yes. Assured Support assists licensees managing breach reporting obligations under the reportable situations regime in Part 7.6 of the Corporations Act 2001.
Under sections 912DAA and 912DAB, licensees must report certain reportable situations to ASIC within prescribed timeframes. ASIC explains the operation of the regime in RG78.
Assured Support assists licensees with breach assessments, incident classification, breach registers and preparing reports submitted through ASIC’s Regulatory Portal. These processes help licensees make consistent assessments of reportability and maintain appropriate regulatory documentation.
Yes. Assured Support assists licensees responding to compliance breaches by helping assess the incident, document the circumstances and determine whether there is a reporting obligation under the reportable situations regime.
Where a breach may trigger reporting under sections 912DAA or 912DAB, the licensee must carefully assess the incident and document its reasoning. Assured Support helps firms undertake that assessment and establish an appropriate response plan.
Yes. Assured Support helps licensees investigate breaches, assess client impacts and implement remediation and compliance improvements.
Once a breach or suspected breach is identified, the licensee generally needs to investigate the facts, assess whether the matter is reportable under Part 7.6 of the Corporations Act, determine whether clients have been adversely affected and consider what remediation or corrective action is required. ASIC’s guidance in RG78 is often central to that assessment.
Assured Support helps firms document these steps and strengthen controls so similar issues are less likely to recur.
Yes. Assured Support helps licensees maintain breach registers, assess incidents and prepare reports submitted to ASIC under the reportable situations regime described in RG78.
Effective breach reporting requires more than lodging a report. It also requires a repeatable process for identifying incidents, escalating them, assessing reportability, documenting outcomes and tracking remedial actions. Assured Support helps firms design and operate those processes to ensure consistency and defensibility.
Yes. Assured Support helps licensees identify the root causes of non-compliant advice or credit processes and implement corrective action.
Issues often arise from failures relating to the best interests duty in section 961B, the requirement to provide appropriate advice under section 961G, or supervision and compliance failures under section 912A of the Corporations Act.
Assured Support typically reviews advice files, broker or credit representative files, advice templates, supervision processes and compliance monitoring arrangements to identify the source of the issue and implement practical remediation steps.
Governance uplift is structured around clear accountability, documented oversight and demonstrable monitoring.
This may include:
For businesses engaging an AFSL application consultant in Australia, governance design begins at application stage to ensure the licence is supported by sustainable oversight architecture rather than retrospective correction.
A robust compliance management system should align with recognised standards such as ISO 37301 (Compliance Management Systems) and ISO 31000 (Risk Management), and should include structured, auditable components capable of being operationalised through purpose-built compliance monitoring software in Australia, such as complye:
Systems should generate auditable evidence of oversight rather than static records.
Yes. Assured Support assists licensees in developing risk management systems required under section 912A(1)(h) of the Corporations Act 2001.
Adequate risk management systems are a core part of the general licensee obligations. In practice, this means identifying compliance, operational, advice, conduct and governance risks and documenting how those risks are assessed, controlled, monitored and escalated.
Many firms structure these systems using principles drawn from ISO 31000. Assured Support helps licensees build risk frameworks that are proportionate to their business model and integrated into their broader compliance arrangements.
complye is a compliance management platform designed to operationalise governance obligations.
It enables:
Unlike spreadsheet-based systems, complye provides structured audit trails, role-based user accountability, automated workflow escalation, time-stamped action tracking and consolidated reporting capability across breaches, complaints, file reviews and remediation tasks.
Each action within the system is attributable to a responsible individual, creating evidentiary transparency that can be produced during ASIC surveillance, internal audits or governance committee review. Automated reminders and escalation protocols reduce reliance on manual diary systems and minimise the risk of missed reporting deadlines under the reportable situations regime.
Consolidated dashboards provide board-level visibility over breach status, remediation progress, complaint trends and monitoring activity. This supports oversight consistent with regulator expectations of demonstrable, embedded compliance systems rather than informal or spreadsheet-based tracking mechanisms.
Compliance software reduces regulatory risk by increasing real-time visibility across breaches, complaints, file reviews and remediation activity, improving documentation quality and generating structured, time-stamped audit trails capable of being produced during ASIC surveillance or internal audit. For AFSL holders seeking file review software in Australia, this visibility is critical to evidencing active supervision of authorised representatives and credit representatives.
Modern platforms also embed workflow controls, escalation triggers and role-based accountability so that reporting obligations, including those under the reportable situations regime and IDR timeframes, are systematically tracked rather than informally monitored. Purpose-built compliance management systems such as complye operationalise these controls within a single governance environment, reducing reliance on memory or ad hoc spreadsheets while supporting consistent escalation, documentation integrity and board-level oversight.
complye is priced transparently based on two variables only: the number of users and the modules selected.
Licensees can select from functional modules such as:
Pricing isn’t affected by the number of authorised representatives, volume of complaints, number of breaches logged or file review frequency. Core compliance functionality is included for all users. Additional cost is only incurred where optional modules are activated, including the Reviews Module (incorporating a risk-based qualitative file review methodology, structured sampling logic and regulator-ready reporting), Advanced Analytics and Reporting, Adviser Recruitment and Onboarding, and Board Report generation.
The Reviews Module is designed for surveillance readiness and defensibility and functions as structured AFSL file review software within a broader compliance monitoring software Australia framework. It embeds risk-weighted sampling parameters, qualitative assessment criteria aligned to s961B and responsible lending standards, root cause tagging and severity grading. Findings are consolidated into structured reports suitable for board presentation, remediation tracking and, where required, production to ASIC during surveillance or thematic review. This ensures predictability and scalability for both small and large AFSL or ACL holders.
User-based pricing allows licensees to expand access across compliance teams, Responsible Managers, executives and board-level stakeholders without complex usage calculations.
From a regulatory risk perspective, the cost of a structured compliance management system should be assessed against potential enforcement exposure. Missed reportable situations deadlines, undocumented breach assessments or fragmented IDR tracking can result in significant remediation expense and reputational impact.
By embedding audit trails, role-based accountability and ISO 37301-aligned compliance controls within a single governance environment, complye provides predictable subscription pricing while strengthening evidentiary defensibility.
A scoped proposal is provided following an initial discussion to confirm user numbers and required modules.
Yes.
The Reviews Module within complye is specifically designed to function as structured AFSL file review software in Australia, embedding a defensible, risk-based qualitative review methodology aligned to statutory advice and credit obligations.
For AFSL holders, this means:
Unlike ad hoc spreadsheet sampling, complye embeds monitoring discipline consistent with ASIC’s expectations of active supervision under s912A. Review outcomes are time-stamped, attributable and auditable, supporting production during surveillance, thematic review or remediation programs.
Because complye operates within a broader compliance monitoring software Australia framework, file review findings integrate directly with breach registers, remediation workflows and governance dashboards. This reduces fragmentation and strengthens evidentiary defensibility.
For AFSL holders seeking scalable AFSL file review software that supports both routine monitoring and regulator-facing scrutiny, complye provides a structured and surveillance-ready solution.
Yes. Assured Support provides complye, its proprietary regulatory technology platform designed to simplify and automate licensees’ compliance obligations.
complye supports both AFSL and Australian credit licensees by helping them manage compliance registers, document monitoring activities, track incidents and breaches, allocate remediation actions and maintain structured compliance records.
The platform is designed to integrate with a licensee’s broader compliance framework, so that monitoring activities, governance reporting, and regulatory obligations can be managed more efficiently and consistently.
Yes. complye is designed to help AFSL and credit licensees automate aspects of compliance monitoring.
That can include maintaining compliance registers, tracking recurring monitoring activities, recording breaches or incidents, documenting actions taken and improving auditability across compliance processes. Automation can strengthen consistency and record-keeping, which are important parts of an effective compliance system.
Even where technology is used, ASIC still expects the licensee to maintain effective oversight of its compliance arrangements under section 912A of the Corporations Act and the principles discussed in RG104.
Fees vary depending on scope, regulatory complexity and the level of risk exposure involved.
For example:
Cost should be assessed against regulatory exposure. Poorly structured AFSL applications can result in significant delay, repeated ASIC requisitions or refusal. Weak compliance systems can expose a licensee to surveillance escalation, enforceable undertakings or civil penalty risk.
Engaging a specialist AFSL application consultant in Australia or independent compliance adviser typically reduces overall regulatory cost by:
Initial consultations are structured to clarify scope and provide a defined proposal aligned to regulatory objectives rather than open-ended hourly billing.
Assured Support provides specialist compliance advisory, governance design and regulatory technology services to Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) holders and Australian Credit Licence (ACL) holders.
Services are structured around core regulatory risk areas, including:
The firm combines independent compliance reviews, remediation program design and implementation, surveillance readiness preparation and proprietary compliance technology through complye.
Recent case studies include assisting an AFSL holder during ASIC surveillance where governance and documentation improvements contributed to the matter being closed without further regulatory action, supporting reconsideration of adverse review findings following structured file re-analysis, and implementing consolidated compliance systems to strengthen ongoing oversight and board reporting.