ASIC has cancelled the Australian financial services licence (AFS licence) of DOD Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (DOD) following a payment of compensation by the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR).
On 29 March 2024, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) made a determination against DOD, which DOD failed to pay. Subsequently, on 23 October 2024, the CSLR paid $64,860.05 to a person for the AFCA determination and notified ASIC. As a result, on 7 November 2024, ASIC cancelled DOD's AFS licence.
Where the CSLR pays compensation to an eligible consumer in relation to an AFCA determination and notifies ASIC of the details of the firm that failed to pay the compensation, ASIC must cancel the AFS licence or credit licence of the firm.
The cancellation is not subject to discretion or merits review.
Background
This decision is not ASIC's first regulatory action in relation to DOD, which is now in liquidation. On 17 May 2021, ASIC commenced proceedings against DOD for allegations of breaching the prohibition against conflicted remuneration, and failed to provide appropriate financial advice and discharge its bests interests duty in relation to financial advice to selected clients. The matter was heard on 2 and 3 December 2021. The judgement has been reserved (21-106MR).
ASIC's decision to cancel the AFS licence of DOD follow previous ASIC decisions. On 16 October 2024, ASIC cancelled the AFS licence and the Australian credit licence of Ultiqa Lifestyle Promotions Limited (24-233MR). On 19 August 2024, ASIC cancelled an AFS licence of Libertas Financial Planning Pty Ltd (in liquidation) following a CSLR payment (24-181MR). Similarly, on 10 September 2024, ASIC cancelled Australian credit licences of Ultimate Credit Management Pty Ltd (in liquidation) and Worry Free Finance Pty Ltd (24-210MR), and finally, Ferratum Australia Pty Ltd on 4 October 2024 (24-223MR).
More information
- The AFCA website contains more information about the AFCA complaint process.
- The CSLR website contains more information about the CSLR claims process.
