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ASIC

Australian Securities and Investments Commission - Australia's top-tier financial regulator.

Quick answer

ASIC is Australia's financial regulator and one of the strictest Tier-1 licences a broker can hold. It caps retail forex leverage at 30:1 and requires client funds in segregated accounts.

Definition

ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) is Australia's corporate, markets, and financial services regulator. It's considered a Tier-1 regulator with strict requirements for brokers including leverage caps (30:1 forex) and negative balance protection. ASIC backs those rules with a public licence register, a supervision program, and enforcement action against brokers that breach client-money rules. An ASIC licence is one of the strongest signals that a broker operates to a real standard, though it does not cover every product a broker may offer you.

How It Works

  • Regulates financial services companies in Australia
  • Requires brokers to hold client funds in segregated accounts
  • Leverage capped at 30:1 for forex retail clients
  • Mandatory negative balance protection

Trading Tips

1

ASIC-regulated brokers offer strong consumer protection

2

Check the ASIC register to verify broker licenses

3

Complaints can be made to AFCA (Australian Financial Complaints Authority)

Sources

  • ASICAustralian regulator, licence register
  • MoneysmartASIC consumer education site
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