This notice, which comes into force on 24 February 2018, amends the Financial Advisers (Australian Licensees) Exemption Notice 2011 (the principal notice).

The principal notice exempts certain Australian-regulated financial services firms (Australian licensees) and their representatives from various provisions of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 and Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 that would otherwise have the effect of requiring the Australian licensees to act only through registered or authorised individual advisers and their representatives to register as financial service providers and be authorised as authorised financial advisers. The exemption applies only in relation to personalised financial adviser services that meet the definition of Australian personalised services for retail clients in clause 4 of the principal notice.

The principal notice is due to expire on 31 May 2018. This notice amends it so that it will remain in force until 31 May 2021.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA), after satisfying itself as to the matters set out in section 148(2) of the Financial Advisers Act 2008, considers it appropriate to amend the principal notice because—

• the relevant services are subject to the regulations of an overseas jurisdiction; and

• the protection of the New Zealand public is unlikely to be prejudiced because of—

  • the protections offered under the Australian financial service providers regulatory regime; and

  • the FMA’s relationship with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the regulator of Australian financial advisers) which involves sharing of information and co-operation arrangements; and

  • the scope of the exemption being limited to certain categories of New Zealand clients and certain services; and

  • the conditions imposed, including notices to New Zealand clients so that they are aware of the nature of the exemptions, and disclosure being made in accordance with Australian requirements; and

  • the requirement that Australian licensees must be registered on the New Zealand financial service providers register and be members of a New Zealand dispute resolution scheme; and

• the exemption provides a cost-effective basis on which Australian licensees regulated by Australian law can offer limited services in New Zealand without incurring the costs of full compliance with the Financial Advisers Act 2008.