About us

ASIC reference checking and information protocol

As set out in the ASIC reference checking and information sharing protocol, you can contact us to submit your reference request to:

GroupCompliance@cfs.com.au

Please include a copy of the prospective representative's completed consent form with your reference request submission.

Summary of Conflicts Management Policy

Colonial First State (“CFS”) has an established conflicts management policy that outlines its requirements regarding the identification of organisational and personal conflicts that may arise through the provision of our products and services and how they are avoided and addressed.

Our conflicts management policy is a key component of our conflicts management framework and is a primary means for communicating our approach to the management of conflicts across CFS‘s business operations in its capacity as RSE Licensee. CFS must take all reasonable steps to identify conflicts and avoid (wherever required or appropriate to do so) in accordance with the policy or otherwise prudently address actual, potential or perceived conflicts. The policy applies to CFS, its responsible persons and employees (collectively referred to as “our representatives”) and outlines how we: 

• identify any relevant duties and relevant interests of CFS and its responsible persons;
• identify and monitor all potential and actual conflicts;
• avoid conflicts unless:
  • they can be addressed prudently and fairly; and
  • priority can be given to the interests of members;
• address a conflict (in the event of a conflict arising that cannot be avoided) ensuring that the conflict is prudently addressed in accordance with the requirements of our policy, with priority given to the duties to, and interests of, beneficiaries;
• ensure that appropriate action is taken in the event of a conflict arising, including ongoing evaluation of arrangements to ensure conflicts are addressed and escalated or alternative action taken if required; and
• record in the minutes of relevant Board and committee meetings, details of each conflict identified and the action taken to avoid or prudently address the conflict.

Our representatives are required to be aware of circumstances that can give rise to a conflict and be able to identify when a conflict arises and disclose this information accordingly. Responsible persons are also required to disclose any relevant duties and relevant interests prior to their appointment and on an ongoing basis. Relevant duties and relevant interests of CFS as RSE Licensee and its responsible persons are recorded and maintained in the CFS RSE Licensee Register of Relevant Duties and Register of Relevant Interests. For further information and content contained in this register please refer below.

Regular reviews and enquiries are also undertaken to ensure we identify all conflicts arising from CFS’s relationship, or the relationship of a responsible person or employee, with an existing or prospective service provider, adviser or other personal or business interests, including any conflicts that have the potential to affect the service provider’s performance in respect of the obligations undertaken for CFS’s business operations.

Compliance with our conflicts management policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and the policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains adequate and operating effectively.

Acknowledgements: APRA Superannuation Prudential Standard SPS521, APRA Superannuation Practice Guide SPG 521.

RSE Licensee Register of Relevant Duties and Register of Relevant Interests

To assist in the identification and management of potential and actual conflicts, CFS maintains an RSE Licensee Register of Relevant Duties and Register of Relevant Interests. The registers contain up-to-date information of any Relevant Duties and Relevant Interests that apply to Avanteos Investments Limited as RSE Licensee under CFS, and its Responsible Persons.

Whistleblower Policy

At Colonial First State (CFS), speaking up is a critical component of our values expectations. We are committed to fostering a culture where our people, suppliers and other third parties feel safe and are encouraged to report on matters or conduct that concern them. The CFS Whistleblower Policy aims to provide clarity on how our people, suppliers and other third parties can express their concerns and what will happen if they do.

Contact Stopline

• Phone: 1300 30 45 50 (Australia Only) 
  Calls will be received by Stopline on Business Days between 8.00 AM and 6.00 PM (AEST). Outside these times, the Discloser may leave a voicemail or choose to speak with Stopline. If a voicemail is left with sufficient details, Stopline will return the call upon resumption of the hotline’s normal business hours. 
• Mail: Attn.: Colonial First State, c/o Stopline 
  PO Box 403
  Diamond Creek
  VIC 3089
• Email: makeareport@stopline.com.au
• Website: https://cfs.stoplinereport.com/ 
• Via Smartphone: 
  

Or contact a nominated person as listed in the policy. 

Work, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Colonial First State (CFS) is committed to providing a safe and healthy place to work. We aim to eliminate or mitigate all risks to physical and psychological health, as far as practicable, and comply with all applicable legislation and regulations. Our Work Health, Safety & Wellbeing Policy sets out how CFS will deliver on our commitments. This policy applies to all workers who work for, or provide services to CFS, and to all visitors to our workplaces.

Proxy Voting and Voting Rights

Colonial First State Investments Limited (CFSIL), as the responsible entity, appoints investment managers that are empowered to take responsibility for most aspects of corporate governance in relation to the assets held by Colonial First State’s funds. CFSIL’s policy on voting has the following principles:

• CFSIL has mandated appointed investment managers to vote resolutions for Australian listed companies on our behalf;
• CFSIL requires appointed investment managers voting on behalf of CFSIL to have a Proxy Voting Policy and confirms every two years as part of the CFSIL operational due diligence process
• The investment manager is obliged to act in the best interests of all unit holders in the managed investment scheme
• CFSIL engages a third-party proxy adviser to provide voting recommendations for non-Australian listed companies. CFSIL agrees with the providers’ corporate governance principles and voting guidelines. The final right to vote for most non-Australian listed companies stays with CFSIL. There are instances where CFSIL has mandated the appointed Investment manager to vote resolutions for non-Australian listed companies.

Policies for Suppliers

CFS Standard Terms and Conditions

This document contains the standard terms and conditions that CFS uses to issue Purchase Orders to suppliers.  We are in the process of implementing a Source to Pay Technology solution and will be sharing increased functionality in the coming months to help us collaborate with suppliers.

NOTE:  These are CFS standard terms and conditions of supply. If you are concerned about any term or condition of these terms and conditions, please contact CFSProcurement@cfs.com.au

CFS Third Party Code of Conduct

The Third Party Code of Conduct outlines our commitments to, and our expectations of Third Parties that provides goods or services to or on behalf of CFS, including sub-contractors.

Responsible Entity and IDPS Documents

Colonial First State Investments Limited (CFSIL)

• CFSIL constitution
• CFSIL Annual Financial Statement
• Board Attendance Records
• Summary of Conflicts Management Policy 
• CFSIL Responsible Investment Policy

Unit pricing discretions policies

• Unit Pricing Discretions Policy - FirstChoice Investments and FirstChoice Wholesale
• Unit Pricing Discretions Policy – Colonial First State Managed Investment Funds and Colonial
• First State Managed Investment Funds – Nil Entry Option
• Unit Pricing Discretions Policy - Colonial First State Wholesale Index Funds
• Unit Pricing Discretions Policy – Colonial First State Wholesale Funds
• Unit Pricing Discretions Policy - Commonwealth Investment Funds

CFS Edge Investments

• IDPS Guide

FirstWrap Plus Investments

• IDPS Guide
• IDPS Audit Certificate
• IDPS Tax Guide

FirstWrap Investments (closed to new investors)

• IDPS Guide
• IDPS Audit Certificate
• IDPS Tax Guide

Annual reports

Colonial First State Investment Limited ABN 98 002 348 352

Managed Investment Funds

• Acadian Class A Funds
• Accelerate Series - Class E Funds
• CFS - FirstChoice Wholesale Investment Funds Part A
• CFS - FirstChoice Wholesale Investment Funds Part B
• Colonial First State Managed Accounts
• Colonial First State Superannuation Wholesale Funds
• FirstChoice Investments Part A
• FirstChoice Investments Part B
• FirstChoice Wholesale Investments Part A
• FirstChoice Wholesale Investments Part B
• FirstChoice Wholesale Investments Part C
• FirstChoice Wholesale Investments Part D
• Fortlake Funds
• Managed Investment Funds
• RealIndex Class A Funds
• Wholesale Class A Funds
• Wholesale Indexed Funds
• Terminating Funds
  

Annual reports

Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979

Super and Pension Funds    

• FirstChoice Employer Super
• FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super & FirstChoice Wholesale Pension 
• Essential Super