Australian Regulatory Updates

ASIC has banned two former NextGen Financial Group directors from financial services for three years after the company failed to comply with AFCA rulings.

Vickie Vella sentenced to 18 months imprisonment as an Intensive Corrections Order after withdrawing $1.2 million from company accounts for personal use.

NSW Local Court sentences Brendan Gunn over $181,000 suspected proceeds of crime from an offshore cryptocurrency scam targeting Australians via Mormarkets/Coins

ASIC is consulting on cutting Regulatory Guide 264 from 42 pages to 8 pages. Submissions from AFS licence holders are due by 21 August 2026.

The Federal Court found former Noumi CEO Rory Macleod breached the Corporations Act over financial reporting for 2019. Penalties to be addressed 27 August 2026.

The ATO issued and withdrew certain tax rulings on 22 July 2026. Details are recorded on the Federal Register of Legislation under reference F2026N00518.

Petroleum Production Licence VIC/L16 has been surrendered, effective 22 July 2026, under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registers) Instrument 2026 was registered on 22 July 2026, amended two instruments, and is now repealed.

The Tasmanian Freshwater Eel Fishery has been declared an Approved Wildlife Trade Operation under federal law, effective 22 July 2026.

A notifiable instrument registered on 22 July 2026 authorises a minister to exercise powers relating to Treasury portfolio rules and instruments.

A new notice registered on 22 July 2026 declares Rockhampton Airport a security controlled airport and replaces the previous declaration from April 2026.

The Department of the Treasury has issued a formal disqualification notice against Andrew Moakes under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993.

ASIC has cancelled the registered agent status of Registry Australia Pty Ltd (registry.com.au) for breaching ASIC's Registered Agent Terms and Conditions.

ASIC has banned Queensland property developer Jack Gould from financial services for 4 years, effective 8 July 2026, over misuse of investor funds.

ATO Class Ruling CR 2026/44 covers scrip for scrip rollover for Toro Energy shareholders who exchanged shares for IsoEnergy Ltd shares on 25 June 2026.

The ATO has withdrawn TD 2020/5, covering reasonable travel and meal allowance amounts for 2020-21. The withdrawal takes effect 23 July 2026.

Services Australia and the Department of Finance have published a data matching notice linked to the Spectrum Medical Imaging November 2024 breach.

Technical amendments to the Family Law (Superannuation) Regulations 2025 were registered on 22 July 2026, covering trustee information rules and related provisi

APRA has granted Revolut Payments Australia Pty Ltd an authority to carry on banking business in Australia, effective 22 July 2026.

The federal government approved a party to hold more than 20% ownership in Revolut Payments Australia Pty Ltd on 21 July 2026 under federal legislation.