ASIC Licence: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Verifying Forex Brokers

If you trade forex or CFDs, you‘ve probably seen brokers claim “ASIC regulated” or “AFSL authorised.” That claim matters. An ASIC licence (AFSL) ties a firm to rules on client-money handling, disclosure, reporting, and dispute resolution. It’s not a marketing badge; its a set of obligations that lowers counterparty risk.

Below is a plain-English, copy-ready walkthrough showing exactly how to verify an ASIC licence yourself—followed by a faster way to run the same checks on WikiFX.

Why an ASIC Licence Matters in Forex

An AFSL permits defined services (e.g., dealing in derivatives/CFDs, making a market, providing advice). Those permissions shape what a broker can offer and how it must operate (segregation of client funds, audit trails, complaints handling via AFCA, etc.). If a website says “were ASIC regulated,” you should be able to match three things: the legal entity name, the AFSL number, and a current status on the official register.

Common mix-ups to avoid:

1. Being “registered in Australia” ≠ holding an AFSL.
2. Re-using a real AFSL number on a different brand/domain is a classic clone tactic.
3. “Authorised Representative (AR)” status must link to a principal AFSL and can be suspended or revoked.

How to Verify an ASIC Licence (AvaTrade Example)

Step 1 – Capture the legal details from the brokers footer

Scroll to the bottom of the brokers website and note the exact legal entity and AFSL number the brand claims.

Example from AvaTrades footer: “Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd is regulated by the ASIC (No. 406684).”

(Insert Screenshot 1: broker footer with the entity name and AFSL number)

Step 2 – Go to the official ASIC website

Open asic.gov.au (the Australian Securities & Investments Commission).

(Insert Screenshot 2: ASIC home page)

Step 3 – Open the Professional Registers

On the homepage, choose Search ASIC registers → Professional registers.

(Insert Screenshot 3: Professional Registers search page)

Step 4 – Search and match

In the search box, enter the exact entity name (e.g., Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd) or the AFSL number(406684). Open the record.

You should see fields like Status (Current/Cancelled), Licence number, Commenced date, ABN/ACN, and principal business address.

For the example above, the ASIC page shows the AFSL as Current, Licence No. 406684, plus matching ABN/ACN and address.

(Insert Screenshot 4: ASIC record details showing “Current” and matching data)

What to confirm before you fund

1. Entity name on the ASIC record is an exact match to the website footer.
2. Status is Current (not Suspended/Cancelled).
3. The AFSL number on the broker site matches the ASIC record.
4. The services authorised align with what the broker markets (e.g., derivatives/CFDs).
5. If the site mentions Authorised Representative, confirm the AR link on ASIC and that its active.

Faster Route: One-Click Checks on WikiFX

When you want the same validation with less digging, WikiFX is a specialised broker-verification platform built for the forex/CFD industry. Two quick ways to use it:

A) Check all brokers under the ASIC regulator

Open the dedicated ASIC page on WikiFX (the regulator hub). You‘ll see the current roster of ASIC-authorised brokers, totals, and quick access to each firm’s profile.

(Insert Image A: WikiFX ASIC regulator page showing the total number of members)

Link for convenience: https://www.wikifx.com/en/regulatory/0362262880.html

B) Check a specific brokers complete licence stack

Search the brokers name (e.g., “AvaTrade”) on WikiFX. Open the profile and tap Licenses to view every licence and status across jurisdictions (ASIC, CBI, ADGM, FSA/FFAJ, etc.), the licence type (MM/STP), numbers, and current/expired flags.

(Insert Image B: WikiFX broker profile → Licenses pop-up for AvaTrade)

What makes this useful:

1. One screen, many regulators – See ASIC plus other licences side-by-side, so you know exactly which entity youre onboarding with.
2. Status clarity – “Regulated,” “Revoked,” “Exceeded,” or “Unverified” labels help you spot risks quickly.
3. Cross-checking tools – Compare multiple brokers, read field-survey notes, and browse user exposures to catch warning signs before you deposit.
4. Time savings – For routine checks, WikiFX typically gets you to the answer faster; use ASICs register for the final legal confirmation when needed.

Verifying ASIC Forex Broker Licences with WikiFX

In the fast-paced world of forex and CFD trading, skipping due diligence on a broker's credentials can turn a promising opportunity into a costly lesson. While the ASIC register remains the gold standard for irrefutable proof, WikiFX streamlines the process into a trader-friendly toolkit that uncovers hidden risks across borders—saving you hours of manual sleuthing and arming you with real-world insights from verified users and field reports. Whether you're vetting a single broker or building a shortlist, start your next check on WikiFX today: it's not just verification, it's vigilance.