Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to interpret and comply with industry regulations and codes of practice when considering the characteristics of financial products and services for individual client needs.
It applies to individuals with excellent communication skills who are authorised as Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) registered Australian financial services licence (AFSL) holders to provide advice on deposit products, non-cash payment facilities and general insurance products at Tier 2 level.
Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. Refer to the FNS Implementation Guide Companion Volume or the relevant regulator for specific guidance on requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Establish relationship with client | 1.1 Use range of communication and interpersonal skills to establish knowledge level of client 1.2 Respond to enquiries in relation to products and services by explaining range available and associated fee and charging schedule 1.3 Inform client of role of adviser and licensee or principal responsible for adviser’s conduct, including procedures for complaints handling and circumstances in which they should be engaged |
2. Identify client objectives, needs and financial situation | 2.1 Employ range of communication and interpersonal skills to gather client personal, financial and business details 2.2 Identify client’s needs and product risk profile by encouraging expression of objectives and short-term, medium-term and long-term goals as relevant to product 2.3 Establish and confirm client expectations of cash flow and relevant taxation obligations |
3. Analyse client objectives, needs, financial situation and risk profile | 3.1 Undertake assessment of client’s needs, using all information gathered and taking into account client’s product expectations and specific needs 3.2 Consult client throughout analysis for further clarification where necessary 3.3 Analyse need for specialist advice and refer client to appropriate adviser for higher level or specialist advice if required 3.4 Complete product risk profile of client that demonstrates correct application of ASIC generic and specialist knowledge relevant to products being offered |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
work effectively with clients to collect relevant personal and/or business information that will enable identification of their objectives, needs, expectations, financial situation and risk profile
interpret and comply with relevant industry regulations and codes of practice requirements that relate to the provision of financial product advice
analyse client information and assess client risk profile to determine the characteristics of financial products and services relevant to client needs.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must satisfy the knowledge requirements relevant to the products and activities in which advice is given.
For general insurance, deposit products and non-cash payments and relevant first home saver account products the individual must:
explain the legal environment including disclosure and compliance covering:
role of the representative or adviser
relevant legal principles including the Corporations Act, Financial Services Reform Act (FSRA), Competition and Consumer Act, Insurance Contracts Act and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Act
the relationship between ethics and regulatory requirements including good faith, utmost good faith, full disclosure of remuneration and fees, and any other conflicts of interest which may influence the adviser’s recommendation
name relevant industry codes of practice and conduct
identify complaints resolution procedures (internal and external)
outline relevant ASIC regulatory guidelines.
For general insurance the individual must:
summarise the characteristics and participants of Australian insurance markets and the roles played by intermediaries, and identify insurance products including:
definition of an insurance product
conditions, exclusions and level of coverage of risk transfer products
types of insurance products
pricing of risk products
identify taxation issues relating to insurance products
explain advisory functions including:
role of the representative, broker or adviser
participants in the insurance advisory services market
range of services provided
profile and financial information of the client
appropriateness of a risk assessment
summarise the specific product knowledge for the general insurance products in which advice is given including:
standard cover (and deviations)
policy wordings
taxes and charges
insurance claims
premium rating and risk selection
reporting
product development
underwriting.
For deposit products and non-cash payment facilities the individual must:
name the types of deposit products and non-cash payment products
summarise the product characteristics.
For first home saver accounts the individual must:
name the types of first home saver account products including the range of accounts, associated risks and alternative products
summarise the product characteristics – eligibility and withdrawal, and government conditions
explain the taxation issues relating to first home saver accounts.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the financial services and products advice field of work and include access to:
office equipment, technology, software and consumables
financial services product information.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 3.1 | Recognises and interprets information from relevant sources to safeguard client needs |
Writing | 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.4 | Uses clear, specific and industry related terminology to complete and update workplace documentation |
Oral Communication | 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.4 | Elicits the view and opinions of others by listening and questioning Clearly articulates requirements using language appropriate to the audience and environment, and participates in a verbal exchange of ideas and solutions |
Numeracy | 1.2 | Interprets financial product information and analyses numerical data within spreadsheets and databases |
Navigate the world of work | 1.2, 1.3, 3.4 | Takes responsibility for providing effective advisory services that comply with legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements |
Interact with others | 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 | Selects and uses appropriate conventions and protocols to build rapport with clients to elicit and provide relevant information Adapts personal communication style to show respect for the values, beliefs and cultural expectations of others |
Get the work done | 2.1-2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 | Takes responsibility for the sequence and priority of tasks within own workload to achieve effective outcomes Uses analytical thinking and organisational techniques to assess relevant and key information that informs critical and non-critical decisions about client needs, risk profile and the potential need for input from others Uses familiar digital tools and systems to complete job tasks |
Sectors
ASIC units