The US Securities and Exchange Commission may have approved bitcoin ETFs, but financial advisers in Australia will still face restrictions on advising on them.

A proposal for ASIC criminal trials to be introduced to the Federal Court has received backlash from the Law Council of Australia, which argues the judges lack sufficient expertise for these types of trials.

The FAAA expects to see a reduced fee to sit the financial adviser exam once the proposed changes are implemented, with the current cost sitting steep at $1,500 per attempt.

The Treasury has opened a consultation on the final policy design of corporate climate-related financial disclosure requirements, outlining what companies will need to do.

2023 has been a year of mergers and acquisitions for licensees as firms take advantage of the improved landscape for financial advisers.