Licensing
Know what you need before you launch
Offering financial products or credit in Australia usually needs an Australian financial services licence (AFSL) under the Corporations Act 2001, an Australian credit licence (ACL) under the National Credit Act, or both. New products, payment models and offshore businesses entering Australia often raise hard questions about which authorisations apply and whether an exemption is available.
Our partners have advised some of the world’s largest financial institutions on Australian licensing, including the extra-territorial reach of our laws, payments regulation, AML/CTF and privacy. We give you a clear answer, then handle the application with ASIC.
Who we act for
Licensing advice for new and established businesses
Fintechs and start-ups
Working out what licence you need, or whether you need one at all.
Offshore businesses
Global banks, payments and technology businesses expanding into Australia.
Lenders and BNPL providers
Australian credit licences, including for providers now regulated as credit.
Existing licensees
Variations, new authorisations, key person conditions and ongoing compliance.
How it works
From advice to licence in four steps
- Scope your licenceWe assess your business model, the authorisations you need and any exemptions you can rely on.
- Responsible managersWe assess your proposed responsible managers against ASIC’s knowledge and experience requirements.
- Prepare and lodgeWe prepare the application and supporting proof documents, and lodge it with ASIC on your behalf.
- Deal with ASICWe act as your point of contact with the ASIC assessor through to a decision, then help you set up your compliance framework.
How we help
Our licensing services
- Advice on whether your product or service needs an AFSL, an ACL or both
- Exemptions and relief, including applications to ASIC
- Extra-territorial and cross-border licensing questions for offshore businesses
- New AFSL and ACL applications, from scoping to lodgement
- Assessing responsible managers and preparing proof documents
- Licence variations, including adding authorisations
- Removing key person conditions
- Compliance procedures and frameworks for new licensees
- Payments, stored value and digital asset licensing questions
- Ongoing compliance support for licensees, including breach reporting obligations
Experience
Licensing experience our partners bring
Including experience our partners bring from previous roles.
Digital payments
Advised a large North American bank on launching an industry-first digital payment solution in Australia, including licensing advice and an ASIC relief application.
Cross-border lending
Advised a US bank on its proposed expansion into Australia to offer a business lending product to the film industry.
Crypto assets
Advised PayPal on its 2020 acquisition of a cryptocurrency business, including the regulation of crypto assets under Australian financial services licensing laws.
Retail payments
Advised one of the world’s largest retailers on launching an integrated payment platform in Australia, including reliance on the single-payee exemption in the Corporations Regulations.
Credit exemptions
Advised lenders on exemptions under the National Credit Act and on licensing for buy now pay later products.
Why Hindsight
Why clients choose us
We’ve done it at scale
Our partners have advised global banks, payments businesses and retailers on Australian licensing.
We know how ASIC assesses
We prepare applications that answer the questions ASIC will ask.
Partner-supervised, every matter
Every matter is supervised by one of our Founding Partners.
Clear scope and fees
We agree the scope and fees with you upfront, and charge fixed fees wherever we can.
Our partners
The team behind your licence
Our licensing work is led by our Founding Partners, including a Legal 500 ‘lawyer to note’ in fintech and financial services regulation.
Michael Lazar
Founding Partner
Formerly NAB and Dentons. Advises banks, credit providers and SMSF lenders on regulation and structuring.
AJ Sridaran
Founding Partner
Formerly Macquarie Bank and Dentons. Legal 500 ‘lawyer to note’ in fintech and financial services regulation.
Recognised by the Legal 500 and Lawyers Weekly
Meet our partners →FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an AFSL or an ACL?
An AFSL is generally needed to provide financial services, such as dealing in or advising on financial products. An ACL is generally needed to engage in credit activities, such as providing consumer credit. Some businesses need both, and some can rely on an exemption. We can tell you which applies.
What is a responsible manager?
Responsible managers are the people ASIC relies on to show your business has the knowledge and skills to provide the licensed services. ASIC assesses their qualifications and experience as part of your application.
What is a key person condition?
ASIC may impose one if your business depends heavily on one or more responsible managers. It can usually be removed by a variation application, for example once you add more responsible managers.
Do buy now pay later providers need a licence?
Yes. Since 10 June 2025, buy now pay later contracts are regulated as low cost credit contracts, and providers need an Australian credit licence. See our consumer credit page.
Can an overseas business provide services in Australia?
Often, but it depends on what you’re offering and to whom. Australian licensing laws can apply to services provided from offshore. We advise global businesses on how to enter the Australian market.
Talk to us
Need help with a licence?
Book a call and we’ll tell you what you need, how long it’s likely to take and what it will cost.