This information is based on the law as at 15 March 2021. If the law in Australian or New Zealand changes then our approach to recognising Australian qualifications may be amended1. Terms and expressions in this section have the same meaning as they are given in the Corporations Act.
New Zealand competency standards
Under the FMC Act, all regulated financial advice must be given by or on behalf of a FAP. A person must not give regulated financial advice to retail clients unless they meet the standards of competence, knowledge and skill required by the Code. FAPs must take all reasonable steps to ensure that anyone they engage to give regulated advice to a retail client on their behalf complies with this requirement.
Standards 6 to 8 of the Code require capabilities equivalent to qualification outcomes of the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) version 2. The Code lists certain ways that a person who gives financial advice may demonstrate the required standard (e.g., hold version 1 or 2 of the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) or be an Authorised Financial Adviser immediately before the commencement of the Code).
The Code provides a flexible framework for a person to demonstrate their competence, knowledge, and skill. A person may demonstrate competence, knowledge, and skill in a way that is different from those listed in the Code. If this is done by reference to an alternative qualification or experience then it should be done in an objective, measurable and independently verifiable manner.
Australian professional standards1
We recognise that the qualifications and training under the Australian education and training standards for relevant providers listed below2 collectively meet the standards of competence, knowledge and skill required by standards 6 to 8 of the Code, provided additional training has been completed on the requirements for qualification outcome 4 of the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) version 2.
- Completion of a degree or other qualification listed in the Corporations (Relevant Providers Degrees, Qualifications and Courses Standard) Determination 2020 (Australia) or completion of one or more courses that have been determined by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority Ltd, as the standards body, to give an existing provider equivalent qualifications;
- Passing the exam approved in the Corporations (Relevant Providers Exams Standard) Determination 2019 (Australia); and
- Completion of the work and training professional year set by the Corporations (Work and Training Professional Year Standard) Determination 2018 (Australia)3.
Other overseas qualifications or experience may provide pathway
As noted above, the Code does not limit how you may demonstrate that you meet the required standards of competence, knowledge, and skill. If you have Australian qualifications that meet the former training standards under the Australian Securities & Investments Commission’s Regulatory Guide RG146 for financial advisers who provide personal financial product advice to retail clients on Tier 1 products or you have other relevant overseas qualifications or experience they may still provide an individual pathway for you towards meeting some or all of the competence, knowledge and skill standards in the Code. Your FAP can help you work out whether your overseas qualifications or experience mean you demonstrate some or all of the standards of competence, knowledge, and skill in the Code. There is also an alternative pathway to demonstrating competence, knowledge and skill available through The Skills Organisation. You can find all the information and apply for this through the Skills website.
Continuing professional development
Any person who gives financial advice (including those with overseas qualifications or experience) must also comply with the continuing professional development requirements in standard 9 of the Code. Individuals must, at least annually, plan for and progressively complete learning activities designed to ensure they maintain the competence, knowledge and skill for the financial advice they give as well as (to the extent relevant to that financial advice) an up-to-date understanding of the regulatory framework for financial advice in New Zealand.
Notes:
- Terms and expressions in this section have the same meaning as they are given in the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia) unless the context otherwise requires.
- See s921B (2) to (4) and s1546B(1) of the Corporations Act 2001.
- Completion of the professional year is not required for existing providers.
