Superannuation & Financial Services
Capabilities
The highly complex and constantly evolving regulatory landscape in the financial services sector presents myriad regulatory and compliance challenges to those who operate within it.
Our highly skilled team supports various leading superannuation funds, trustees, responsible entities, fund managers and Australian financial services (AFS) licence holders in Australia to navigate these challenges.
Our superannuation clients include industry, retail and corporate funds and exempt public sector schemes. We also support ancillary service providers, and also employers who need advice on how to meet their superannuation obligations.
Our financial services clients include responsible entities, trustees including ‘trustee for hire’ businesses, global and Australian product issuers of managed funds and exchange traded funds, index and active managers.
We have excellent working relationships with key sector regulators including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). We also work with the Australian Securities Exchange and Cboe Australia.
Our team’s superlative knowledge of the regulatory framework, coupled with our deep industry expertise and experience, means we are ideally positioned to provide commercially adept advice and support to our clients.
Recognition
Our Superannuation & Financial Services team is recognised in leading international ranking directory, Legal 500 Asia Pacific, in the financial services regulatory category (2022 & 2023). The team is also recognised in the Best Law Firms in Australia (2025, 2026 editions) for superannuation law, financial institutions law, corporate/governance practice, funds management and investment law.
CASE STUDIES
INSIGHTS
Super Alert – 15 May 2026: Treasury consultation on proposed changes to performance testing, Bill on providing access to super for victims of child sexual abuse
Super Alert – 8 May 2026: ASIC letter on AI risks, ATO speech re Payday Super reforms, update to disclosure requirements for reporting portfolio holding information
Super Alert – 1 May 2026: APRA Prudential Standard CPS 230 update, industry-wide letter on AI use, life insurance stats released
Super Alert – 24 April 2026: ATO updated SG rates, FC dismisses claim seeking TPD benefit under insurance policy
Super Alert – 17 April 2026: new ASIC tools for retirement planning, ATO and Ahpra guidance warning against predatory compassionate release practices
Super Alert – 10 April 2026: Treasury consultations, member protections in super switching, CSLR future funding
Super Alert – 2 April 2026: ASIC first 3 modules for sustainability reporting, APRA decommissions Direct to APRA’ or ‘D2A’ data submission system
Super Alert – 27 March 2026: New Bill to provide access to super for victims of child sex abuse, Bill passes banning advertising of superannuation products to new employees
Super Alert – 20 March 2026: ASIC launches new complaints data dashboard, Division 296 tax settings and LISTO changes released, Payday Super reforms
Super Alert – 13 March 2026: Bills re Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset and tax concession settings for large super balances, APRA quarterly statistics
Super Alert – 6 March 2026: OAIC privacy guidance under AML/CTF reforms, superannuation death benefits, insurer genetic testing ban
Super Alert – 27 February 2026: Payday Super regulations, APRA quarterly super stats, Treasury principles for retirement income solutions
Super Alert – 20 February 2026: ATO information re transfer balance cap, ASIC review into financial advice licensees engagement in lead generation
Super Alert – 13 February 2026: New Bills introduced to Parliament, ASIC report re FC decision on AFS licensee cybersecurity failures, ATO published reminders for super trustees
Super Alert – 6 February 2026: ASIC & APRA enforcement priorities, access to super for abuse victims, Federal Court decision re breach of DDO
Super Alert – 30 January 2026: ASIC relief for trustees, FC decision re penalties for conflicted remuneration, ATO practical guidance
ASIC updates conflicts of interest guidance for AFSLs
Super Alert – 19 December 2025: SFTS and changes of trustee exempt from the ACCC’s merger reforms, ASIC conflicts of interest guidance, FC considers section 54 of ICA
Super Alert – 12 December 2025: APRA consultation on CPS 230, FWC proposed updates to modern awards
Super Alert – 5 December 2025: ASIC whistleblower report, updates to RG 168, fee disclosure changes proposed
Super Alert – 28 November 2025: merger reforms, regulatory guidance re advertising, life insurance genetic testing ban, FY27 initial levy estimate
Super Alert – 21 November 2025: APRA System Risk Outlook, ASIC extends existing relief for RSE licensees re disclosure obligations
Super Alert – 14 November 2025: ASIC 2026 enforcement priorities, APRA updated super data reporting FAQs, OAIC new data breach reporting dashboard
Super Alert – 7 November 2025: Payday Super reforms, ASIC proposed legislative instrument for financial calculators, Supreme Court decision re TPD benefits
Funds and investment platforms: Will your transactions be caught by the competition law reforms?
Super Alert – 31 October 2025: APRA updates re changes to longevity products, ATO guidance ahead of Paid Parental Leave Superannuation Contribution changes
Super Alert – 24 October 2025: AUSTRAC guidance re changes to AML/CTF regime, Treasury updated ‘Regulatory Initiatives Grid’
Super Alert – 17 October 2025: ATO draft compliance guidelines re Payday Super, warning re inappropriate super releases, landmark ruling re civil penalties under the Privacy Act
Super Alert – 10 October 2025: Payday Super reforms, ASIC annual report, APRA, ASIC and Treasury statements to Senate Economics Legislation Committee
Family law’s superannuation splitting rules no longer so familiar
Super Alert – 3 October 2025: APRA Annual Report, consolidation of asset test exemption instruments, draft legislation re banning adverse genetic testing results in life insurance
Super Alert – 19 September 2025: superannuation roundtable, ASIC auditing of sustainability reports, ASIC remake of disclosure instruments
Super Alert – 12 September 2025: remake of financial advice instruments, revocation of reporting standard, quarterly super statistics
Super Alert – 5 September 2025: new AML/CTF rules registered, draft merger notification waiver form, super splitting, new Bills
Super Alert – 29 August 2025: warning re early access to super, Payday Super update, prudential guidance update
Super Alert – 22 August 2025: ASIC enforcement update; APRA FY26 corporate plan; Treasury consultation re climate-related transition planning guidance
Super Alert – 15 August 2025: review re RG97 disclosures, retirement income strategies, cybersecurity roundtable
Super Alert – 8 August 2025: 3 consultations, proposed remake of MIS instrument, new Bill re payments regulatory framework
Super Alert – 25 July 2025: ATO personal transfer balance caps, ASIC proceedings in relation to cybersecurity failures
Super Alert – 18 July 2025: AUSTRAC 2025/26 priorities, ASIC infringement notices for unlicensed financial advice
Super Alert – 11 July 2025: ASIC proposed amendments to guidance on PDS & electronic disclosure, AUSTRAC expectation in relation to AML/CTF reforms
Super Alert – 4 July 2025: finalised industry levies for APRA, estimated industry levies for ASIC, superannuation contributions on Government-funded Paid Parental Leave
Super Alert – 27 June 2025: CPS 230 notification forms, exemptions for ASIC breach reporting, APRA expenditure practices review
Super Alert – 20 June 2025: ASIC infringement notices, ATO updates, amended Victorian Crimes Act
Super Alert – 13 June 2025: Paid parental leave superannuation regulations, ASIC legal action on alleged target market breach
Super Alert – 6 June 2025: APRA licensing FAQs, ATO updates on SG rate, ASIC infringement notice
Super Alert – 30 May 2025: New ASIC podcast series, ATO Practical Compliance Guideline, quarterly super statistics
Super Alert – 23 May 2025: ASIC’s areas of focus for 2025/26 financial reports, consultation in relation to AML/CTF Rules, APRA performance test benchmark fees
KHQ Super Alert – 16 May 2025: ATO media release, APRA reporting standards
Super Alert – 2 May 2025: Systemic Issues Insights Report, unclaimed super money, avoiding common errors in MAAS and MATS reporting
Super scams and fraud: Trustees to act now
Super Alert – 11 April: ASIC fines licensees, ATO on management of financial abuse in tax system, proposal to publish breach reporting data
Super Alert – 4 April 2025: ASIC report on death benefit claims, financial services-related bills lapse, regulatory guide for sustainability reporting
Super Alert – 28 March 2025: Federal Budget released, ASIC virtual meeting guidance, ‘tipping-off’ prohibition
Super Alert – 21 March 2025: Penalties for greenwashing, draft legislation for payday super, appeal against AFCA determination
Super Alert – 14 March 2025: ASIC commences proceedings in relation to alleged cybersecurity failures, critical infrastructure rules registered, APRA FAQ’s
Super Alert – 7 March: Changes to governance standards proposed, ASIC enforcement update
Super Alert – 28 February 2025: APRA and ASIC Priorities, Updated transfer balance cap, Family Law Superannuation
Super Alert – 21 February 2025: Senate report on the enquiry into Australia’s retirement system, additional breach reporting relief proposed
Super Alert – 14 February 2025: Scams Prevention Framework, Treasury and ASIC media releases on financial advice
Super Alert – 7 February 2025: Treasury publishes response, proposed increase SG for firefighters and paramedics, review of the CSLR
Super Alert – 31 January 2025: ASIC focus areas for 2025, industry to increase anti-scam practices, APRA releases new set of expenditure data
Super Alert – 20 December 2024: Regulatory Initiatives Grid, valuation governance & liquidity risk management review findings
Super Alert – 13 December 2024: Quarterly superannuation statistics released, Amendments to ATO ruling, AUSTRAC upcoming reforms
Super Alert – 6 December 2024: response to Modern Slavery review, Quality of Advice Review reforms, Speech by ASIC Commissioner on retirement outcomes
Super Alert – 29 November 2024: AML/CTF Bill passes, privacy & cyber security reforms, family law reforms, NALE/NALI consult
Super Alert – 22 November 2024: retirement phase super reforms, Payday Super, cybersecurity, AML/CTF reform
Super Alert – 15 November 2024: ASIC enforcement priorities, APRA climate risk self-assessment survey, scams prevention Bill
Super Alert – 8 November 2024: ASIC sustainability reporting regime, Quality of Advice Review reforms
Super Alert – 1 November 2024: ASIC breach reporting stats, OAIC AI guidance, ASIC report on AI adoption by licensees
Super Alert – 25 October 2024: new ORFR guidance, FSG disclosure rules amends, updates to RG 51 & RG 108, scams prevention remit expanded
Super Alert – 18 October 2024: amended SPS 114, APRA material service provider template, ATO data re early release of super
Private: ‘Chameleon ETFs’ – still groundbreaking and here to stay?
Super Alert – 11 October 2024: Commonwealth penalty unit increase, new cyber security Bills, ATO’s updated SFT protocol
Super Alert – 4 October 2024: APRA industry stats, updated AUSTRAC guidance, Treasury issues draft amends to super laws
Super Alert – 26 September 2024: Reissue of RG 121, APRA Comprehensive Product Performance Package, inquiry into collapse of wealth management companies
Court finds superannuation trustee engaged in greenwashing
Super Alert – 20 September 2024: superannuation on paid parental leave, first home super saver scheme, privacy reforms, payday super
Super Alert – 13 September 2024: sustainability reports, adverse genetic test ban, timing re ATO reporting obligations
Super Alert – 6 September 2024: CPS 230 registered; derivative transaction rules amendments
Super Alert – 30 August 2024: ASIC greenwashing crackdown; APRA annual performance test results; latest super stats
Super Alert – 23 August 2024: climate-related financial disclosure Bill passed; new Bill re super on paid parental leave
Super Alert – 16 August 2024: APRA cybersecurity weakness insights; ASIC v ASX; new fraud/scam standard
Super Alert – 9 August 2024: ASIC instruments extension; ATO remedial power; AASB climate-related financial disclosure standards
Super Alert – 2 August 2024: AFCA FY24 complaints data; disclosure methods for ETFs & quoted ED securities
Super Alert – 26 July 2024: First Home Super Saver changes; second DDO prosecution; Payment Times Reporting Scheme
Super Alert – 19 July 2024: adviser permanently banned; ASIC guide re virtual-only meetings; extra conditions imposed on RSE licensee
Super Alert – 12 July 2024: Final rules for FAR; changes to NALI rules; Quality of Advice changes; mFund closure
Super Alert – 5 July 2024: Quality of Advice reforms; SPS 515 updates; updated AFCA rules & guidelines
Super Alert – 28 June 2024: new Treasury consultation; ATO income stream ruling; Bill re NALI/NALE exemption for large funds
Breaking down Braz
Super Alert – 21 June 2024: sustainable finance reforms; new APRA ‘prudential handbook’; tax withholding instrument
Super Alert – 14 June 2024: CPS 230 guidance; Your Future Your Super FAQs; amended SRS 101; new Treasury consultation
Super Alert – 7 June 2024: greenwashing judgement; Payment Times Reporting Scheme; AG’s miscell measures Bill passed
Super Alert – 31 May 2024: Quality of Advice Review Bill amends; latest APRA super stats
Super Alert – 24 May 2024: regulatory focus on scam risk; AI; guidance re financial adviser registration
Super Alert – 17 May 2024: financial reporting reminders; Federal Budget; access to super for first home buyers
Super Alert – 10 May 2024: ASIC review re member protection processes; ALRC webinar re legislative review
Super Alert – 3 May 2024: AML/CTF reform; death benefit claims review; new SFT reporting form
Super Alert – 26 April 2024: mandatory climate reporting; new ATO materials for release authorities
Super Alert – 19 April 2024: illegal early access to super; unclaimed money reporting; new SDT FAQs
Super Alert – 12 April 2024: Federal Court decision re penalty for s912A non-compliance; reminders re Govt consultations
Super Alert – 5 April 2024: Quality of Advice Review; modern awards super clause; court decisions & new Bills
Super Alert – 22 March 2024: Treasury releases draft regulations re tax rates for high super balances
Super Alert – 15 March 2024: FAR info package; super splitting; consultation re annual performance test
Super Alert – 8 March 2024: FAR instruments registered; paid parental leave; court decisions re death benefits & defined benefit pensions
Super Alert – 1 March 2024: AFSL guidance re conflicted remuneration; greenwashing infringement notice; updated super stats
Super Alert – 23 February 2024: ASIC choice investment options report; APRA ORFR standards amendments
Super Alert – 16 February 2024: Judicial advice in relation to “single trust” deed clause
Super Alert – 9 February 2024: updated SDT & member outcomes assessment FAQs; amended AFCA rules; super stats
Super Alert – 2 February 2024: ASIC & APRA enforcement priorities, legislative updates, exposure drafts & court decisions
Super Alert – 15 December 2023: annual super stats; increase in financial hardship requests; new consultations
Super Alert – 8 December 2023: Quality of Advice review; concessional tax rates; Senate inquiry
Super Alert – 1 December 2023: APRA data collection proposal; genetic testing – life insurance; updated SDT FAQs
Super Alert – 24 November 2023: ASIC 2024 enforcement priorities; APRA revises SPS 510; legislation update
Super Alert – 17 November 2023: objective of superannuation Bill; cyber security; financial advice reforms
Super Alert – 10 November 2023: ASIC supervisory cost recovery levy; extension to s29QC relief; AFCA complaints guide
Super Alert – 3 November 2023: sustainable finance strategy; data breaches and AML/CTF; reportable situations regime insights
Super Alert – 27 October 2023: superannuation CEO roundtable; downsizer contributions; NALI/NALE reforms
Super Alert – 20 October 2023: ASIC breach reporting rules re M&D conduct; CPS 900 & CPS 190; PayDay Super
Super Alert – 13 October 2023: APRA annual report; ‘Payday Super’ consultation; SDT strategic forum
Super Alert – 6 October 2023: SDT FAQs; quarterly super stats; FAR information package; privacy; NSW Court of Appeal TPD decision
Super Alert – 28 September 2023: ATO ruling; RG 277; AFCA appeal re TPD benefit decline
Super Alert – 22 September 2023: SPS 515 reforms; FAR Bill enacted; FLS Regs; NSW Crimes Act re SFTs
Super Alert – 15 September 2023: affordable housing package; Bill re NALI/NALE exemption for large funds
Super Alert – 8 September 2023: FAR Bills; Treasury consultations; 4 x ASIC instruments registered re MIS
Super Alert – 1 September 2023: super performance test results 2023; APRA & ASIC corporate plans
Unfair contract terms: new civil penalties & deemed significant breaches for AFSL holders
Super Alert – 25 August 2023: June super stats; information security; SFTs & NSW Crimes Act
Super Alert – 18 August 2023: DDO complaints reporting; RSE licensee class exemption; ASIC enforcement priorities
Super Alert – 11 August 2023: MySuper Information Paper; greenwashing prosecution; retirement income covenant; managed investment schemes
Super Alert – 4 August 2023: annual performance test changes; CPS 511 (Remuneration); Report 767
Super Alert – 28 July 2023: ATO first home super saver scheme statistics; AFCA updated trust deeds fact sheet
Super Alert – 21 July 2023: CPS 230, SPG 530, updated SDT FAQs, retirement income covenant
Super Alert – 14 July 2023: FRAA report, Chapter 2M, greenwashing, CSLR regulations
Super Alert – 7 July 2023: Compensation Scheme of Last Resort; cyber security assessment findings; consultation re NALI & CGT
Super Alert – 30 June 2023: SFT Crimes Act; Chapter 2M reporting; Interim Report C; climate related disclosure matters
Super Alert – 23 June 2023: financial adviser registration, CSLR, SDT, FRAA, NALI/NALE
Super Alert – 16 June 2023: ALRC recommendations; Quality of Advice Review; ASIC cyber survey; SDT forum
Super Alert – 9 June 2023: ESG considerations re investing; financial advisor registration; greenwashing
Super Alert – 2 June 2023: cyber security; consumer data right; modern slavery; updated reporting standards
Super Alert – 26 May 2023: APRA March super stats; super data project FAQs; AFCA jurisdiction expansion
Super Alert – 19 May 2023: new APRA Prudential Standard & Practice Guides; ASIC v HCF re unfair contract terms
Super Alert – 12 May 2023: Federal Budget; ASIC greenwashing report; SG Act; SDT FAQs
Super Alert – 5 May 2023: IDR reporting obligations; ASIC report re DDO compliance; green investing; introduction of ‘payday super’
Super Alert – 28 April 2023: APRA choice product heatmap; ASIC guidance on breach reporting.
TPD claims – when must a trustee form an opinion?
Super Alert – 21 April 2023: tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms; financial adviser standards; APRA life insurance stats
‘Layered advice’ & hawking leads to cancellation, banning and fine – floggers flogged!
Super Alert – 14 April 2023: first home saver super scheme; update re CPS 230; updated SDT FAQs
ASIC consults on IDPS class orders – It’s easier when investors say what goes!
Super Alert – 6 April 2023: Your Future, Your Super review; super performance test regulations; concessional tax rate for large balance holders
ASIC consults regarding managed investment scheme class orders – re removal/equal treatment
Super Alert – 31 March 2023: crypto currency regulation Bill; AFCA – Rules & Operational Guidelines; IDPS class orders
Super Alert – 24 March 2023: ASIC urges trustees to improve insurance outcomes; Full Court overturns decision re historic fraudulent misrepresentations
Treasury begins review of managed investment schemes regulation – funds fast forward!
Super Alert – 17 March 2023: Treasury Bill for consultation, regulatory framework for managed investment schemes
Super Alert – 10 March 2023: Financial Accountability Regime; Treasury consultations re reducing complexity; SDT minor amendments
Super Alert – 3 March 2023: concessional tax rate increase; OAIC data breaches report; quarterly super stats; unclaimed super
Super Alert – 17 February 2023: financial advisor registration, greenwashing, APRA policy & supervision priorities
Super Alert – 30 September 2022: ASIC regulatory guide for customer remediation, AUSTRAC threat report for super industry
Super Alert – 16 September 2022: Financial Accountability Regime Minister Rules 2022, planned changes to prudential framework
Super Alert – 2 September 2022: MySuper performance test results; target market determinations; Superannuation Data Transformation project; financial advice reforms; modern slavery
Super Alert 26 August 2022: Treasury consultation packages; APRA super statistics; APRA Superannuation CEO Roundtable notes
Super Alert 19 August 2022: retirement income covenant; ATO 22/23 corporate plan
Super Alert 12 August 2022: ASIC update re breach reporting; ASIC’s surveillance of internal dispute resolution; legislation deferring the performance test
Super Alert 29 July 2022
The ‘FAR101’ – an introduction to the Financial Accountability Regime for superannuation lawyers
Super Alert 22 July 2022: Annual members’ meetings regulations consultation; performance test for faith-based products; amendments to prudential standards
Super Alert 15 July 2022: ATO update re viewing contribution caps online; ASIC annual member statements advice
Super Alert 8 July 2022
Super Alert – 1 July 2022
Super Alert – 24 June 2022
Super Alert – 17 June 2022
Super Alert – 10 June 2022
Super Alert – 3 June 2022
Super Alert – 27 May 2022
Super Alert – 20 May 2022
Super Alert – 13 May 2022
Super Alert – 6 May 2022
Super Alert – 22 April 2022
Super Alert – 14 April 2022
Super Alert – 8 April 2022
KHQ Super Alert – 1 April 2022
KHQ Super Alert – 25 March 2022
KHQ Super Alert – 11 March 2022
Super Alert – 4 March 2022
Super Alert – 25 February 2022
Super Alert – 18 February 2022
Super Alert – 11 February 2022
Super Alert – 4 February 2022
Super Alert – 28 January 2022
Super Alert – 21 January 2022
Super Alert – 17 December 2021
KHQ Super Alert – 10 December 2021
Super Alert – 26 November 2021
Super Alert – 19 November 2021
Super Alert – 12 November 2021
Super Alert – 5 November 2021
Super Alert – 29 October 2021
Super Alert – 22 October 2021
Super Alert – 15 October 2021
Super Alert – 8 October 2021
Super Alert – 1 October 2021
Super Alert – 23 September 2021
Super Alert – 17 September 2021
Super Alert – 10 September 2021
SUPER ALERT – 3 SEPTEMBER 2021
Super Alert – 20 August 2021
Super Alert – 13 August 2021
Super Alert – 6 August 2021
Super Alert – 30 July 2021
Super Alert – 23 July 2021
Super Alert – 16 July 2021
Super Alert – 2 July 2021
Super Alert – 28 May 2021
Super Alert – 14 May 2021
KHQ Super Alert – 7 May 2021
Super Alert – 23 April 2021
Super Alert – 26 March 2021
Super Alert – 26 February 2021
Super Alert – 19 February 2021
Super Alert – 12 February 2021
Super Alert – 18 September 2020
Super Alert – 14 August 2020