FBAA Membership Guidelines

FBAA Membership Criteria

Finance Brokers Association of Australia

The FBAA have two main membership types: Accredited member and a Corporate Membership.

Accredited Member

  • Completed and signed membership application form forwarded to FBAA together with certified copies of the requested accompanying documentation.
  • Evidence of a minimum of 2 years proven experience in finance industry. If less than two years with the appropriate experience they must be mentored by another member who has the experience and time in the industry of finance/mortgage broking. Mentoring to continue until the completion of the two year requirement and the Mentor is satisfied that they have met the requirements and experience necessary.
  • Evidence of completion of Certificate 4 in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking) FNS40815 or the equivalent.
  • National Police Check: Applicant must provide a National Police Check with their application. This document must be dated no later than three months prior to this application. In the instance where the applicant is a company, partnership, business or firm, all directors, partners and principals directly engaged in the business must provide this document. This can be the original document that can be returned to you on request, or a Certified Copy. NB: On legal advice original and copies of police documents are not kept on file and are destroyed after processing of application.
  • Nomination of four lenders to provide written or verbal references. N.B. Referees are contacted personally by FBAA staff to confirm references.
  • Declaration of any pending charges or convictions for fraud or dishonesty.
  • Declaration of current bankruptcy or Directorship of a company under previous or current External Administration, Receivership or Involuntary Liquidation.
  • Certificate of Incorporation where applicable.
  • ASIC Search – in the instance where the Applicant is a Company:
    This search must be dated no later than three months prior to this application and must list all current Directors and Shareholders.
  • Copy of Business Name Registration where applicable.
  • Full Resume of Individuals/Directors/Partners.
  • Photographic identification (Drivers Licence or Australian Passport number) of individuals for membership or nominees of company applicants
  • Evidence of any prior learning or training:
    N.B. FBAA members are required to accrue 25 CPD points per annum as evidence of continued learning.
  • Evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance by way of a Certificate of Currency.
  • Evidence of membership of an ASIC approved External Dispute Resolution Scheme.
    N.B. The FBAA’s preferred scheme is Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) formally BFSO and can be found at www.fos.org.au
  • Evidence of an acceptable ‘individual’ AML/CTF (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006) compliance training.
  • A copy of your Credit Report / or that of Nominee of the business – which is dated no earlier than three months prior to application for membership.
  • Copy of your registration details with ASIC if you are conducting consumer lending (i.e. ACL or ACR).

Corporate Membership is available to approved non-broking entities associated with the finance industry and includes:

  • Credit Providers (Banks, Building Societies, Credit Unions)
  • Mortgage Insurers
  • Mortgage Managers
  • Fund Managers
  • Trustee Companies etc.

Do I need a credit licence?

  • A credit licence is required if you provide credit by way of credit contracts or consumer leases, or where you benefit, for example, from a mortgage related to a credit contract, or, provide credit services. Broadly this covers  two categories – credit providers (lenders and lessors) and providers of credit services (finance brokers, mortgage managers and aggregators).
  • There are some exemptions, e.g. lawyers, registered tax agents provided certain criteria are met.
  • A credit licence is not required by authorised credit representatives or employees/directors of a licensee (or one of its related bodies corporate) who are engaging in credit activities on behalf of the licensee.
  • Credit representative authorisation must be in writing and the licensee is liable for representatives’ conduct and competence.

Applying for and varying a credit licence

  • You can apply for a licence online on the ASIC website. Paper applications will only be accepted with pre-approval, but will take longer to process and cost more.
  • Ongoing access to the application will be via a user name, password and reference number.
  • The application will be tailored to the entity type and some information may be pre-filled.
  • Information sought will include:
    • entity type (company, partnership, multiple trustee or natural person)
    • address and contact details
    • business names
    • credit activities authorisations sought
    • size and nature of business activities
  • Information sought about compliance with general obligations will include the identification of ‘fit and proper people’ and ‘responsible managers’ and their competence and attributes, and confirmation of adequate compliance plans including written plans, monitoring and reporting and the people responsible. If functions are outsourced, the applicant must also confirm appropriate processes exist to ensure due care and skill in selection and monitoring of the provider’s performance. Other confirmation sought will include:
    • arrangements for supervision and training of representatives
    • dispute resolution and hardship applications processes
    • adequate risk management systems
    • satisfactory compensation arrangements (PI insurance for most)

Supporting documentation required will include:

    • Statements of Personal Information for fit and proper people
    • Evidence of adequate knowledge and experience for responsible managers (eg details of qualifications)
    • Background checks for fit and proper people including criminal history checks, bankruptcy checks and credit history reports
    • Summary of business description including how the business will operate in practice (eg number of offices, distribution model, remuneration structure)
  • ASIC must offer a hearing prior to refusal. If unhappy with the outcome, applicants may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
  • You may apply for a variation of your credit licence if your business changes or you want to change a licence condition. This will be an online process like the original application.

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