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How to Search and Verify an AFSL Number

Before you deal with a financial services provider, it pays to check their licence. Here is how to search an AFSL number, confirm the licence is current, and understand what it authorises.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-30

What you can search by

You can identify a licensee in several ways. AFSL Search lets you look up records by:

  • Company or business name
  • AFSL number
  • ABN (Australian Business Number) or ACN (Australian Company Number)
  • Authorised representative number

How to search step by step

  • Enter the provider's name or AFSL number in the search box
  • Open the matching record to see the licensee's details
  • Check the licence status — for example Current, Suspended or Cancelled
  • Review the authorisations to confirm the licence covers the service being offered
  • Note any authorised representatives or related licences linked to the entity

Why verifying matters

A current licence that covers the right authorisations is a basic protection: it means the provider is subject to ASIC oversight and the conduct obligations that apply to licensees. If a provider has no licence, or a licence that does not cover the service offered, that is a red flag.

Status can change over time — licences are granted, varied, suspended and cancelled. If you rely on a licence for an important decision, it is worth re-checking, and confirming against ASIC's official register.

Keep watch for changes

If you need to track a provider over time, you can subscribe to licence monitoring and be notified when a licence's status changes, rather than checking manually.

Search by name, AFSL number, ABN or ACN across the AFSL, Credit, DCE and Remittance registers.

Search the register

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if an AFSL is valid?

Search the AFSL number or company name, open the record, and check that the licence status is Current and that the authorisations cover the service being offered. For critical decisions, confirm against ASIC's official register.

Can I search by ABN or ACN?

Yes. AFSL Search supports lookups by company name, AFSL number, ABN and ACN, as well as authorised representative numbers.

Is AFSL Search the official ASIC register?

No. AFSL Search is an independent tool built on public ASIC and AUSTRAC register data. It is not affiliated with ASIC or AUSTRAC, and important decisions should be verified with the official source.

This guide is general information about Australian financial licensing, not legal, financial or compliance advice. AFSL Search is independent and not affiliated with ASIC or AUSTRAC. Always confirm current requirements with ASIC or a qualified professional.