Section 961JCorporations Act 2001 (Cth)

Conflict between client’s interests and those of provider, licensee, authorised representative or associates

(1) If the provider knows, or reasonably ought to know, that there is a conflict between the interests of the client and the interests of:

(a) the provider; or

(b) an associate of the provider; or

(c) a financial services licensee of whom the provider is a representative; or

(d) an associate of a financial services licensee of whom the provider is a representative; or

(e) an authorised representative who has authorised the provider, under subsection 916B(3), to provide a specified financial service or financial services on behalf of a financial services licensee; or

(f) an associate of an authorised representative who has authorised the provider, under subsection 916B(3), to provide a specified financial service or financial services on behalf of a financial services licensee;

the provider must give priority to the client’s interests when giving the advice.

Note: A responsible licensee or an authorised representative may contravene a civil penalty provision if a provider fails to comply with this section (see sections 961K and 961Q). The provider may be subject to a banning order (see section 920A).

(2) If:

(a) the provider is:

(i) an agent or employee of an Australian ADI; or

(ii) otherwise acting by arrangement with an Australian ADI under the name of the Australian ADI; and

(b) the subject matter of the advice sought by the client relates only to the following:

(i) a basic banking product;

(ii) a general insurance product;

(iii) consumer credit insurance;

(iv) a combination of any of those products;

subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the advice relates to a basic banking product or a general insurance product or a combination of those 2 products.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the subject matter of the advice sought by the client is a general insurance product.

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 17 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

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