NIBA members are now able to access the eagerly anticipated licensing help kit, which went up on the new NIBA website yesterday.

The help kit is aimed to help brokers come to terms with the FSRA and work through ASIC’s AFS licensing application form. “Brokers have been hanging out for the help kit,” Professional Development Executive Linda Evans said. “It’s basically a summary of everything involved with the FSRA.

“It contains an extreme amount of information on the FSRA and provides brokers with guidance on how to complete the ASIC licensing form and meet licensing procedures.”

Although the help kit will be accessible from the website, Ms Evans advised that because the kit is so large, brokers should try to start working through the ASIC licensing form before they refer to the kit for help.

“They could just look through the whole thing first and see what the FSRA is all about, but it would be good to look at the form first and try and work through it. Then if they have any questions, or come across any issues they are unsure about, they can refer to the kit,” she said.

At this stage the kit is a general reference that will remain as a licensing help kit until the two-year transition period is over.

Should any new regulations or information regarding the FSRA come about – as has been widely tipped – NIBA will make sure it is posted on the website and included in the kit.

A question and answer facility is included on the website. “We understand that people have different situations and we will be responding to brokers through the year,” Ms Evans said.

NIBA will launch its licensing help kit on a roadshow around the country, visiting Albury on April 4, Hobart on April 8, Launceston on April 8, Melbourne on April 9, Townsville on April 15, Brisbane on April 16, Newcastle on April 23, Sydney on April 24, Darwin on April 30, Perth on May 1 and Adelaide on May 2.