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Financial Standard e-newspaper
Date: 24 Aug 2026
The latest issue of the Financial Standard newspaper is out now....
Briggs defends FSC’s proposed $25,000 per-licensee levy
Date: 19 Aug 2026
The Financial Services Council chief executive has defended the group’s proposed minimum $25,000 ASIC levy for licensees, arguing it will fund regulatory supervision and reduce broader industry compliance costs....
Independent AFSLs growing despite ‘campaign’ against them: MDS
Date: 17 Aug 2026
My Dealer Services has said its service – and, by extension, self-licenced practices – are continuing to thrive despite what it perceives as a concerted campaign against the model from larger licensees....
More than half of all AFSLs have just one or two advisers
Date: 04 Aug 2026
More than half of all Australian financial services licensees have less than five advisers operating under them, according to a recent Padua Report, with just 29 licensees employing a large share of the workforce....
Industry reacts to proposed FSC levy
Date: 03 Aug 2026
After the FSC revealed its proposed $25,000 minimum ASIC levy on licensees, the advice industry has received it less than warmly....
AI or die: Why the ‘wait and see’ approach is dangerous
Date: 07 May 2026
Despite the high cost of implementing emerging technology for advice practices, research and industry experts agree that trying to avoid AI now could hurt businesses down the line....
Licensing and responsibility: Flaws in the AFSL framework
Date: 05 May 2026
The overall AFSL licensing system is flawed, believes My Dealer Services’ managing director Alex Euvrard, as recent collapses are leaving licensees forced to impose strict guardrails which undermine the purpose of financial advice....
The winners and losers in AFSL adviser gains
Date: 13 Apr 2026
In the aftermath of the education deadline and another major failure in Shield and First Guardian, Adviser Ratings has shared the top 10 AFSLs who won and lost advisers in Q4....
Self-licensed advice model ‘coming of age’: MDS
Date: 01 Apr 2026
The ongoing fall-out of the Shield and First Guardian Master Fund collapses has driven a surge in both awareness and popularity of the self-licensed advice model, as financial advisers look to shed any risk of liability associated with the dealer group model....
Time for greater self-licensing industry standing
Date: 31 Mar 2026
With the number of financial advisers recognising the benefit of self-licensing exceeding more than 30% and growing awareness of the associative risk of the dealer group model, now is the time for self-licensed financial advisers to have a greater voice and more recognised industry standing, My Dealer Services (MDS) says....
Self-licensing push gains momentum as advisers reassess dealer group model
Date: 31 Mar 2026
Growing interest in self-licensing and shared liability concerns are prompting calls for greater industry recognition, as My Dealer Services prepares to host a dedicated industry summit....
It’s time the myths around self-licensing are debunked once and for all
Date: 16 Feb 2026
Industry research indicates that the number of Australian financial advisers recognising the benefit of the self-licensing value proposition has continued to increase and now stands at more than 30 per cent....
The AI utopia for financial advisers
Date: 13 Feb 2026
AI is already reshaping the delivery of financial advice. Research from the Australian Financial Advice Landscape Report in 2025 reveals that about three quarters of financial advice practices in Australia are using AI or intend to do so, higher than the 60% global average....
More advisers recognising self-licensing benefits
Date: 12 Dec 2025
The number of financial advisers expressing interest in moving to a self-licensed model is expected to soar in 2026 as the profession continues to grapple with the ongoing fallout of the Shield and First Guardian fund collapses and the impact it has had on large licensees. According to self-licensing specialist...
Expect a 2026 surge in self-licencing: MDS
Date: 12 Dec 2025
The self-licencing environment of the advice sector should be expecting to grow due to industry developments in 2025, according to My Dealer Services....
MDS predicts self-licensing growth following AFSL scrutiny
Date: 12 Dec 2025
My Dealer Services is predicting strong growth in self-licensing next year, citing recent ASIC action against Interprac and the desire for independence as key drivers of the self-licensing trend....
Advice from super funds ‘polar opposite’ of vertical integration
Date: 03 Dec 2025
It would be misleading to compare superannuation funds giving advice to the vertical integration activity of the big four banks, according to My Dealer Services (MDS)....
Interprac reputational risk prompts self-licensing consideration
Date: 02 Dec 2025
ASIC’s court case with Interprac is causing advisers to explore the possibility of self-licensing, according to My Dealer Services (MDS), as they observe the reputational damage it can bring to a practice....
Digital advice could help ‘unserviceable’ clients
Date: 22 Sep 2025
Though it remains a “grey area” for many advisers, integrating digital advice could help close the advice gap, allowing them to reach otherwise unserviceable clients....
MDS rolls out tranche of new service offerings
Date: 27 Aug 2025
The self-licensing service has been steadily growing its offering since the start of the year, including launching a new compliance portal in February and announcing a partnership with Colonial First State a month later. According to My Dealer Services (MDS), it has been able to successfully add 15 new Australian...
My Dealer Services notches new partnerships to support members
Date: 27 Aug 2025
Self-licensing services provider, My Dealer Services (MDS), has rolled out a chunk of new enhancements strengthened by five new partnerships to better support its member network....
MDS partners with Morningstar amid service offering expansion
Date: 26 Aug 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has announced new partnerships with five businesses to expand its offerings amid a period of growth....
My Dealer Services boosts AFSL growth with new partnerships
Date: 26 Aug 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has continued its strong growth, adding 15 new AFSLs since January 2025....
Minimising key person risk for solo AFSLs
Date: 15 Aug 2025
With a third of Australian Financial Services Licences (AFSLs) being solo advisers, how can they ensure they are still attractive propositions for buyers when it comes to their succession planning?...
‘Advocacy has to come from within’: Why advisers need to help grow the profession
Date: 25 Jul 2025
It’s easy to get bogged down in the negativity, but if financial advisers want the profession to thrive and grow, they need to become positive advocates, according to the head of a licensee services firm....
‘Who cares’: Higher average client fees don’t guarantee profitability
Date: 03 Jun 2025
Average client fees are a poor indicator of profitability and success as higher fees don’t guarantee increased margins, according to Peloton Partners principal Rob Jones....
Unqualified NCAs pose ‘dangerous’ risk, says MDS head
Date: 02 Jun 2025
Though there is potential value of simple advice, an industry head has emphasised the need for regulatory guardrails to be in place before super funds are officially welcomed back....
Guard rails critical to DBFO super advice delivery
Date: 02 Jun 2025
No one should be ignoring the potential role and possible dangers entailed in industry superannuation fund advice models over the next five years and the need for suitable guard rails, according to the My Dealer Services managing director, Alexander Euvrard....
Removing ‘policy brick wall’ critical to raising adviser numbers
Date: 30 May 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has argued the only way to improve numbers in the financial advice sector is to further slash red tape, which is preventing a greater flow of new entrants....
Advisers need ‘to be Beyoncé’ and spend more time performing
Date: 29 May 2025
Advisers need to be more like Beyoncé and spend the majority of their time in front of their audience, rather than backstage....
Associations urge returned Labor government to move quickly on advice
Date: 06 May 2025
Progress on advice reform was slow in the government’s first term, but industry stakeholders are optimistic it could happen quicker now the foundation has been laid....
Returned Govt urged to help grow adviser numbers
Date: 06 May 2025
Removing the barriers to entry for financial advisers has emerged as a key consensus issue for financial planner groups before the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has even hinted at the name of his next Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services....
Advice community looks to Jones’ successor for ‘decisive action’
Date: 05 May 2025
The advice community has reacted to the re-election of the Labor Party for a second term....
My Dealer Services inks CFS deal to boost technical support
Date: 26 Mar 2025
More than 400 financial advisers part of My Dealer Services’ (MDS’) network are set to receive improved and high quality technical support after the self-licensing provider secured an educational partnership with Colonial First State (CFS)....
My Dealer Services expands educational offerings
Date: 26 Mar 2025
My Dealer Services (MDS), a provider of self-licensing support for financial advisers, has announced a significant partnership with Colonial First State (CFS), leveraging the expertise of CFS’s acclaimed FirstTech team....
My Dealer Services inks educational partnership with CFS
Date: 26 Mar 2025
My Dealer Services (MDS) has teamed up with Colonial First State (CFS) to deliver technical support to its network of over 400 self-licensed financial advisers....
MDS continues service expansion with CFS partnership
Date: 26 Mar 2025
The self-licensing specialist group has secured a partnership with Colonial First State to provide its adviser network with high-quality technical support....
My Dealer Services inks educational partnership with CFS
Date: 26 Mar 2025
My Dealer Services (MDS) has teamed up with Colonial First State (CFS) to deliver technical support to its network of over 400 self-licensed financial advisers....
My Dealer Services partners to enhance adviser education
Date: 25 Mar 2025
The Sydney-based firm has secured access to Colonial First State's (CFS) FirstTech division for the more than 400 financial advisers within its network....
My Dealer Services partners with Colonial First State to enhance member education
Date: 26 Feb 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has secured access to Colonial First State’s (CFS) award winning FirstTech technical services team to provide its network of more than 400 financial advisers operating under 110 AFSLs with high quality technical support across a broad range of advice areas....
My Dealer Services introduces suite of new offerings
Date: 13 Feb 2025
The self-licensing specialist group has announced several new or enhanced service offerings for its adviser network as part of a strategic growth initiative....
My Dealer Services rolls out new service offerings
Date: 13 Feb 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has rolled out three new or enhanced service offerings to its network of more than 400 financial advisers operating under 110 AFSLs as part of a strategic growth initiative....
My Dealer Services launches new tools to boost adviser support
Date: 12 Feb 2025
My Dealer Services (MDS), which provides self-licensing support for financial advisers, has introduced three new or improved services as part of its expansion strategy....
My Dealer Services launches new tools to boost adviser support
Date: 12 Feb 2025
My Dealer Services (MDS), which provides self-licensing support for financial advisers, has introduced three new or improved services as part of its expansion strategy....
My Dealer Services welcomes former GBST client head
Date: 21 Oct 2024
Head of client partnerships at GBST, Ashley Mahadeea, has left the business after seven years to join My Dealer Services, which helps advisers become self-licensed....
We don’t always vote in complainants’ favour: AFCA
Sydney, 01 Jun 2026
By Matthew Wai The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) addressed a crowd of financial advisers at the MDS Self Licensing Summit 2026, busting the myth the ombudsman is always targeting them. Speaking at a discussion panel at last Thursday, AFCA senior ombudsman Nicholas Battaerd said based on the latest AFCA data,...
My Dealer Services expects surge in self-licensing interest in 2026
Sydney, 11 Dec 2025
Sydney, 11 December 2025 – Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) expects even stronger growth in 2026 as more financial advisers look to take control of their businesses and come to understand the associative risk of working under large licensees following ASIC suing Interprac Financial Planning over the failure of two...
My Dealer Services continues growth spurt; rolls out more new service offerings
Sydney, 26 Aug 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has continued its strong growth spurt, successfully adding 15 new AFSLs as members since January 2025, increasing the number of self-licenced practices it supports by more than 10 percent to 110 AFSLs. MDS has also rolled out a tranche of five additional service offerings...
Advice industry at an inflection point – opportunity and danger need to be carefully managed: My Dealer Services
Sydney, 30 May 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has welcomed the prospect of industry change under the returned Labor Government but says potential dangers need to be managed beside positive potential regulatory developments. Speaking at MDS’ inaugural One Day Event for its members at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney yesterday, Director and...
My Dealer Services urges decisive industry action from victorious Labor government
Sydney, 05 May 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has called on the Labor government to start its second term with a period of decisive action, focused on growing the number of advice industry professionals and giving the industry clear rules within which it could decide its own destiny. “With the outgoing Minister...
My Dealer Services rolls out new service offerings
Sydney, 11 Feb 2025
Self-licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has rolled out three new or enhanced service offerings to its network of more than 400 financial advisers operating under 110 AFSLs as part of a strategic growth initiative. MDS supported more than 20% of all Australian financial advisers who achieved self-licensing last year...
My Dealer Services appoints head of strategy
Sydney, 21 Oct 2024
Self licensing specialist My Dealer Services (MDS) has appointed Ashley Mahadeea as Head of Strategy as the company looks to significantly grow the depth of services it provides as well as the number of self-licensed advisers it equips and supports. MDS was established 12 years ago and since then has...