Commentary
Plain-English commentary on Australian regulatory developments. Drafted against primary sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.
ASIC's no-action position for digital asset businesses expires on 30 June 2026, requiring firms dealing in digital asset financial products to hold or apply for an AFS licence by that date or face serious civil and criminal penalties.
The eSafety Commissioner and OAIC signed an MOU on 23 April 2026, creating a coordinated regulatory framework where online safety and privacy obligations now intersect — with direct consequences for digital platforms operating in Australia.
APRA finalised targeted amendments to CPS 230 Operational Risk Management on 30 April 2026, introducing limited contractual exemptions for certain non-traditional service providers such as central banks. Banks, insurers, and superannuation funds must review their Material Service Provider Registers
APRA is consulting on amendments to life insurer reporting standards to transition data collections from the legacy D2A system to APRA Connect. Written submissions are due by 3 July 2026.
ASIC accepted the cancellation of registered company auditor Douglas Trood's registration on 24 April 2026 after raising concerns about decades-long independence failures — signalling that its data-driven surveillance program is actively targeting auditor-client relationships across the profession.
ASIC is consulting on remaking two legislative instruments that provide relief from dollar disclosure and AFS licensing requirements, both expiring 1 October 2026. One substantive change would extend dollar disclosure exemptions to discretionary mutual funds issuing risk products.