This page contains answers to frequently asked questions about issues impacting the financial advice industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to visit this page regularly to stay up to date.
Last updated 14 April 2020
ASIC has announced temporary relief measures to improve access to financial advice for consumers that have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (see 20-085MR ASIC grants relief to assist industry to provide affordable and timely financial advice during the COVID-19 pandemic).
ASIC Corporations (COVID-19 – Advice-related Relief) Instrument 2020/355 provides temporary relief to:
Each of these relief measures are detailed in further FAQs below.
ASIC has also issued a temporary no-action position for superannuation trustees to expand the scope of personal advice that may be provided by, or on behalf of, the superannuation trustee as ‘intra-fund advice’. Intra-fund advice is provided free of charge to the recipient of advice.
Many Australians are currently seeking assistance from their financial advisers, superannuation funds and registered tax agents to make decisions about their finances due to the impact of COVID-19, including financial product advice on whether to access the Government’s $20,000 early release of superannuation scheme (see here for more details about the scheme).
ASIC Corporations (COVID-19 – Advice-related Relief) Instrument 2020/355 provides relief in relation to the early release of superannuation scheme from the requirements to:
These relief measures are temporary and are subject to the following conditions:
Any means of contact with a client will be unsolicited unless it takes place in response to a positive, clear and informed request from the client for financial product advice about the early release of superannuation scheme.
As a condition of relying on these relief measures, the advice provider must keep, and give to their client, an ROA that meets content requirements in the Instrument. This ROA must be given to the client when the advice is provided, or as soon as practicable after the advice is provided.
The ROA content requirements are as follows:
The advice provider must also give the client the following:
ASIC Corporations (COVID-19 – Advice-related Relief) Instrument 2020/355 modifies the requirement under s946C of the Corporations Act by requiring an SOA to be given as soon as practicable after the advice is given, but no later than 30 business days (instead of 5 business days).
This measure is intended to assist financial advisers who are finding it difficult to comply with the 5 business day requirement to give an SOA in time-critical cases.
An advice provider may only rely on this temporary relief measure in circumstances where:
In addition to these conditions, the existing disclosure requirements in s946C of the Act still apply. For example the disclosure about conflicts and product replacement advice in subsection 946C(2) of the Act that must be provided at the time the advice is provided to the client.
ASIC Corporations (COVID-19 – Advice-related Relief) Instrument 2020/355 provides targeted relief to financial advisers to allow the provision of an ROA to existing clients even though:
This relief measure is temporary and subject to the following conditions:
A financial adviser may only rely on this relief if they keep a record of the advice and give this ROA to the client.
The ROA must set out:
The client must receive the following when the advice is provided:
(i.e. the information required by paragraphs 947B(2)(d) and (e), or 947C(2)(e) and (f), as the case requires, and by section 947D of the Corporations Act, if applicable)
We will continue to monitor the appropriateness of the relief measures, having regard to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. ASIC will consider market developments and consult with key stakeholders before revoking the Instrument of relief and provide 30 days’ notice to the industry. The no action position for superannuation trustees expires when applications for early release can no longer be made.
To reduce the regulatory burden on financial advisers, ASIC is:
ASIC is also are also considering whether to provide limited relief from some regulatory obligations.
ASIC released Consultation Paper 329 Implementing the Royal Commission recommendations: Advice fee consents and independence disclosure (CP 329) for feedback until 7 April 2020. We understand that industry may have difficulty responding in current circumstances. We are happy to take feedback more informally (e.g. by phone) or consider a request for an extension for the formal submission.
Financial advisers play a role in helping their clients in uncertain times and periods of significant share market volatility. This includes reassuring clients about their investment strategies as well as providing personal advice in response to their changing circumstances. These changes may involve employment status or external factors, such as legislative changes arising out of the economic stimulus package.
The current period is an opportunity for the financial advice industry to proactively support clients and reestablish trust within the community. ASIC encourages you to remain available and responsive to your clients.
The Corporations Act is neutral about technology and the way financial advice is delivered. You can give factual information and advice by telephone, email, internet, video conferencing or a combination of these. For example:
It is very important that you continue to keep records of the financial services you provide during the COVID-19 period. Your records should, for example, allow you to demonstrate that you have complied with the best interest duty and related obligations, which will be critical in the future if you receive a client complaint or if your file is audited. Records include more than just the fact find and SOA. They include other documents that support your advice such as working papers, research and file notes.
Further information about your record keeping obligations is set out in Regulatory Guide 175 Licensing: Financial product advisers – Conduct and disclosure (RG 175) and ASIC Class Order [CO 14/923].
The Corporations Act permits the delayed provision of FSGs and SOAs to the client in time-critical cases.
For example, you may be able to rely on the time-critical exception and provide advice to the client without first giving the client a SOA where:
In these circumstances, please see RG 175 (paragraphs 164-165) for further detail on complying with these requirements. ASIC considering whether it should provide relief in relation to the timing of SOAs in time critical cases and we will provide updates as soon as possible.
More information about providing time‑critical advice and the associated specific requirements for FSGs is set out in RG 175 (paragraphs RG 175.100-103).
ASIC is currently monitoring developments in the life insurance industry, including the possible introduction of exclusions for pandemic cover for new policies.
The situation is moving rapidly, so you should be cautious about recommending replacement cover to your clients during this time. Most consumers that currently hold retail policies should be covered for pandemics.
The Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) recently announced some changes to adviser exam arrangements and provided guidance on compliance with continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. We encourage you, in conjunction with your advice licensee, to consider how these changes will affect existing or intended arrangements. For example, video conferencing and/or webinar technology options are appropriate alternatives to face to face CPD offerings. Many courses are also offered as online courses.
As difficult as the operating environment currently is, advice licensees must remain focused on meeting their general obligations. You should review existing measures and adapt processes and procedures as required. This includes those relating to the oversight of advice.
For example, if your audit program involves on-site visits, you should put measures in place that allow you to conduct audits remotely.
Important information about your general obligations is set out in Regulatory Guide 104 Licensing: Meeting the general obligations.
ASIC is committed to working constructively and pragmatically with the advice industry in this period to support the provision of good-quality financial advice to clients.
ASIC is in regular discussions with industry associations about the issues and challenges that financial advisers are facing. We encourage you to engage early with your industry association or with ASIC if there is a problem or emerging issue. This could include cash flow concerns, difficulty in obtaining professional indemnity insurance coverage, challenges in meeting financial reporting obligations or human resource difficulties due to ill health, including that of key persons and responsible managers.
ASIC is monitoring developments in the professional indemnity insurance market that may impact some advice licensees and will provide further information on this, if required.
You should engage with ASIC via the standard breach reporting framework, as required. You can also raise problems, issues and challenges through your industry association.
ASIC may grant exemptions from or modifications to the law in certain situations. You can apply to ASIC for relief from some parts of the Corporations Act, where ASIC has the relevant exemption and modification powers.
To apply for relief, you need to provide a detailed application addressing the requirements in Regulatory Guide 51 Applications for relief (RG 51) and Regulatory Guide 167 Licensing: Discretionary Powers (see RG 167.22). Note paragraphs RG 51.58 to RG 51.60 in particular when applying for relief.
We will scrutinise any argument that the ordinary costs associated with, or the ordinary inconvenience of compliance with the Corporations Act or existing published ASIC policy are excessive. Applicants that claim to be particularly affected by compliance costs will need to explain why the effect of the law in their circumstances is anomalous.
Further details on how to apply are set out in Information Sheet 82.
ASIC will not tolerate any conduct that seeks to exploit current share market conditions or vulnerable consumers. If you become aware of any scams or bad behaviour that relates to financial products, we strongly encourage you to report this to us via our website.
