Review of expiring class exemption notices, and designations

Update on the review in September 2025

After considering submissions, we have decided to grant continued exemption relief for the two matters listed below. Relief will be on substantially the same basis as under the existing notices.  For more information on the existing exemptions please see the consultation paper.

1. Financial Markets Conduct (Requirement to include Climate Statements in Annual Report) Exemption Notice 2023
2. Financial Markets Conduct (Australian Licensees) Exemption Notice 2020

These existing notices are due to expire in December 2025 and April 2026, respectively. We will therefore aim to finalise the new notices to give effect to these decisions before the current exemption notices expire.  

Review of the remaining exemption notices that will expire in 2026 continues, and we aim to announce decisions on some of these in December 2025, with others to follow around the middle of next year. 

Update in May 2025

We are seeking feedback on our review of 14 class exemption notices that support the regime under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. These notices will expire between December 2025 and November 2026. At the same time, we are reviewing our three class designation notices.

We would like feedback to inform our review of these class notices:

Exemptions

1. Financial Markets Conduct (Requirement to include Climate Statements in Annual Report) Exemption Notice 2023
2. Financial Markets Conduct (Australian Licensees) Exemption Notice 2020
3. Financial Markets Conduct (Catalist Public Market) Exemption Notice 2021
4. Financial Markets Conduct (Employee Share Purchase Schemes) Exemption Notice 2021
5. Financial Markets Conduct (Forestry Schemes) Exemption Notice 2021
6. Financial Markets Conduct (Property Schemes-Custody of Assets) Exemption Notice 2021
7. Financial Markets Conduct (Equine Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2021
8. Financial Markets Conduct (Disclosure Using Overseas GAAP) Exemption Notice 2022
9. Financial Markets Conduct (Overseas FMC Reporting Entities) Exemption Notice 2021
10. Financial Markets Conduct (Overseas Registered Banks and Licensed Insurers) Exemption Notice 2021
11. Financial Markets Conduct (Climate-related Disclosures-Overseas Banks and Insurers) Exemption Notice 2024
12. Financial Markets Conduct (Incidental Offers) Exemption Notice 2021
13. Financial Markets Conduct (Recognised Exchanges) Exemption Notice 2021
14. Financial Markets Conduct (Overseas Banks Offering Simple Debt Products) Exemption Notice 2021

Designations

1. Financial Markets Conduct (Communal Facilities in Real Property Developments) Designation Notice 2016
2. Financial Markets Conduct (Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts) Designation Notice 2017
3. Financial Markets Conduct (Shares in Investment Companies) Designation Notice 2017

We are keen to work with all stakeholders, including market participants, investors, advisers and industry groups, to assist with this review.

Please read the consultation paper and have your say by 17 July 2025, or contact us if you would like to meet to discuss.