This guide is dated 1 April 2008.
AUSTRALIAN ETHICAL INVESTMENT LTD, ABN 47 003 188 930, AFSL No 229949
GPO Box 2435, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 021 227 (Trusts), 1300 134 337 (Superannuation), Email: trustadmin@austethical.com.au (Trusts) aes@austethical.com.au (Superannuation)
This guide contains important information about:
- The services we offer you
- How we are paid
- Our internal and external dispute resolution procedures.
We are able to provide you with advice about our products. In limited circumstances, this advice may take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. In the event we give you personal advice, you will also receive a statement of advice (SoA) from us. The SoA will contain the advice, the basis on which we give it and, if applicable, information about anything that may have influenced us giving you that advice.
If you choose to invest in one of our products, you should consider the information in our product disclosure statement (PDS) in order to make an informed decision. To invest in our products, you must complete an application form from the current PDS. Please contact us for a copy.
Who is responsible for the financial services provided to me?
Australian Ethical Investment Ltd is responsible to you for any advice it provides about financial products, including the Australian Ethical trusts and the Australian Ethical Retail Superannuation fund. Australian Ethical Investment Ltd is also responsible to you for offering and issuing any interests in the Australian Ethical trusts.
Please note that the offer of interests in the Australian Ethical Retail Superannuation fund (SFN 4794/449/82, Registration Number R1004731) is by arrangement with our subsidiary and trustee of the fund, Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd (ABN 43 079 259 733, RSEL L0001441). Aside from its duties as trustee, Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd is only responsible for the issue of interests in the fund to you. The trustee of the Fund has engaged Pillar Administration to provide administration services for the Fund. Pillar will provide a separate financial services guide to you.
We do not act as a representative of any other licensee in relation to the advice or products we may provide to you.
What financial services and products do we offer to you?
Australian Ethical Investment Ltd is authorised to provide financial product advice, deal in financial
products, and operate the Australian Ethical trusts. We are also authorised to give you advice about
superannuation and to offer interests in the Fund.
The Australian Ethical Investment Ltd investment trusts are:
- The Australian Ethical Balanced Trust
ARSN 089 919 255 - The Australian Ethical Equities Trust
ARSN 089 919 175 - The Australian Ethical Large Companies Share Trust
ARSN 089 919 166 - The Australian Ethical World Trust
ARSN 123 618 520 - The Australian Ethical Income Trust
ARSN 089 919 120 - The Australian Ethical International Equities Trust (wholesale)
ARSN 124 861 338
You may receive advice from us when you visit our website, make a telephone inquiry or attend one of our seminars. Our advice will be limited to our financial products unless we are addressing the general subject of ethical investment.
Advice that considers your personal objectives, financial situation or needs will only be given in limited circumstances and you may wish to consult an accredited adviser before making an investment decision.
Any advice you receive from us will be given by one of our employees. Any advice you receive about our financial products from elsewhere is provided independently of Australian Ethical Investment Ltd.
How are we paid for our services?
If you invest in a product we offer, you will pay fees in relation to your investment in that product. You will not pay additional fees for any advice you obtain from us. You will find details of our fees and any other charges which may be applicable to your investment in the relevant PDS. Please contact us if you require a copy of our PDS or if you would like further information about fees. You can also obtain this information from our website at www.austethical.com.au.
How are any commission, fees or other charges calculated?
Your adviser should provide you with a SoA setting out the fees and commissions you may pay to them for the advice you receive from them. You will find information regarding the payment of your adviser in our PDS.
Will anyone be paid for referring me to you?
Our employees receive a salary. Any bonuses or other benefits that employees receive are not tied to any advice they give you, even if you invest with us. We do not pay commissions or provide benefits to any third parties because they have referred you to us. In some cases we pay an annual product access payment to have our products included on a platform. Platforms include investor directed portfolio services, wrap accounts and master trusts.
Professional indemnity insurance
We have professional indemnity insurance in place. In accordance with the policy terms and conditions
this insurance covers the acions of our staff and representatives in dealing with you. It will cover the
actions of our staff and representatives even where those people later leave the company’s employment. The policy is required to be renewed annually.
What information do you maintain in my file and can I examine my file?
All client information and correspondence is recorded and maintained. We are committed to the privacy standards set out in the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth) for the security and use of your personal information. The statement of our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to examine your file, please ask us and we will make arrangements for you to do so.
Who can I complain to if I have a complaint about the provision of the financial services to me?
We welcome feedback of any kind. If you have a comment, inquiry or complaint about any of the services we provide you, please telephone, email or write to us. We have procedures in place to ensure that your correspondence is properly considered and dealt with in a timely way.
If you are not satisfied with the way in which we handle a complaint, you may lodge a written complaint with the Financial Industry Complaints Service (FICS). FICS is an external dispute resolution scheme. Please contact us if you would like a brochure about this service or you can contact them directly by calling 1300 780 808.
If you are a member of the Fund, you may be able to lodge a compliant with the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal. Please contact us if you would like further information or you can contact them directly by calling 1300 780 808.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has an information line on 1300 300 630, which you may use to obtain further information about your rights.
If you have any further questions about the financial services provided by Australian Ethical Investment Ltd, please contact us on 1800 021 227. Retain this document for your reference and any future dealings with Australian Ethical Investment Ltd.
® Registered Trade Mark of Australian Ethical Investment Ltd