Short answer
Search the adviser's name on ASIC's Financial Advisers Register on Moneysmart. Check that their status is current and note the licensee they're authorised by. It's free and takes about a minute.
Step by step
- Go to the Financial Advisers Register on Moneysmart.
- Search by the adviser's name. You can also search by postcode to see advisers near you. Moneysmart notes those results are randomised, not ranked.
- Open their entry and check their status is current.
- Note the licensee: the business holding the Australian financial services licence they work under.
- Read the rest of the entry, such as their qualifications, the kinds of products they can advise on, and any bans or conditions.
Other checks worth doing
- Read their Financial Services Guide. It must say who they are, how they're paid and how to complain.
- Check the complaints scheme. Licensed advisers must belong to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
- Look them up on ASIC's registers. ASIC also publishes registers of licensees and of banned and disqualified people.
Why it matters
In Australia only people who meet the legal requirements can call themselves a "financial adviser" or "financial planner". Checking the register is the simplest way to know who you're dealing with. It's also one of the first steps Moneysmart recommends when choosing an adviser.
How Meet My Adviser checks advisers
Before we introduce you to anyone, we check they're listed on the Financial Advisers Register. You're still welcome to check yourself. How we choose advisers.
Questions to ask if something doesn't match
- Why isn't your name on the register, or why is it different?
- Which licensee are you authorised by?
- Can I see your Financial Services Guide?
Common questions
How do I check if a financial adviser is registered in Australia?
Search their name on ASIC's Financial Advisers Register, which you can access through Moneysmart. It shows their status, the licensee they're authorised by and other details.
What if my adviser isn't on the Financial Advisers Register?
Advisers who give personal advice about relevant financial products must be registered. If you can't find them, ask why and check the exact name, or contact ASIC before going ahead.
Can anyone call themselves a financial adviser?
No. In Australia the terms financial adviser and financial planner are restricted by law to people who meet the requirements and are registered.
Want to talk it through with a licensed adviser?
Book a free 30-minute call by phone, Zoom or in person. Advisers pay Meet My Adviser a fee for each introduction. Any advice you later choose to get is charged by the adviser, who must explain their fees first.
Book my free callSources
- Moneysmart: Financial Advisers Register
- Moneysmart: Choosing a financial adviser
- Australian Financial Complaints Authority
This page is factual information only. Meet My Adviser is not licensed to give financial advice and doesn't recommend products. Figures are from the sources listed and can change; check the source for the latest.