Forest Wealth is a Sydney financial planning practice with offices in Chatswood, Hornsby and Sutherland. It now operates under its own Australian Financial Services Licence, held by Forest Wealth Holdings Pty Ltd (ABN 88 697 620 858, AFSL 700376).
The licence commenced in the week ending 2 September 2026, with all 13 of our advisers moving across together. Money Management reported the move on 4 September 2026, drawing on figures from Padua Wealth Data.
Why is a 13-adviser licensee launch unusual?
Most new licensees start small. Padua Wealth Data founder Colin Williams told Money Management that it is rare for a new licensee to begin with more than 10 advisers.
Forest Wealth Holdings was the only licensee to commence that week. It started with a team that has worked together for years.
What does it mean for Forest Wealth to hold its own AFSL?
An AFSL is the licence the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) issues to businesses that provide financial services, including personal financial advice. Until now, our advisers were authorised under another licensee.
Holding our own licence means we are directly accountable to ASIC for the advice our team provides. That includes adviser training and supervision, compliance, and how we handle client concerns.
As a licensee, we are a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
What changes for Forest Wealth clients?
For most clients, very little changes day to day. You keep the same adviser, the same office and the same support team you already know.
You can download an updated Financial Services Guide showing our new licence details, current as of 1 September 2026. If you have any questions about what the change means for you, your adviser is happy to talk it through.
Who helped Forest Wealth reach this milestone?
While we’re generally happy to stay under the radar, we’re incredibly proud of what this milestone represents. After years of building the business, we’ve taken the next step and are now operating under our own licence.
We owe this to our advisers and support team, and to the clients who have trusted us along the way. Thank you.
We also acknowledge the support of The Principals’ Community throughout our licensing journey.
As a leading network for self-licensed businesses in the Australian financial services sector, The Principals’ Community supports more than 140 businesses and over 1,500 financial advisers across Australia.
Being part of this community provides access to a wealth of professional expertise, resources and industry best practices, helping us build a stronger business and deliver even better outcomes for our clients.
How can you check Forest Wealth’s licence details?
You can confirm any licence on ASIC’s Professional Register by searching for Forest Wealth Holdings Pty Ltd or AFSL 700376. You can also look up each of our advisers on the Financial Advisers Register on ASIC’s Moneysmart website.
Checking a licence before you take advice is a good habit with any adviser, not only us.
Where can you meet a Forest Wealth financial adviser?
Our 13 qualified financial advisers work from offices in Chatswood, Hornsby and Sutherland. Most of our clients are planning for retirement or are already retired, and come to us for help with superannuation, retirement income, the Age Pension and estate planning.
To see where you stand, start with our retirement readiness checklist, or call us on 1800 31 41 51 to book a conversation with one of our advisers.
This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Forest Wealth Holdings Pty Ltd, ABN 88 697 620 858, AFSL 700376.