ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680]

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Legislation au F2013L00839 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

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ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680]

About this compilation

 

Compilation No. 4

 

This is a compilation of ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680] as in force on 4 May 2017. It includes any commenced amendment affecting the legislative instrument to that date.

 

This compilation was prepared by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

 

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information

about amending instruments and the amendment history of each amended provision.

Prepared by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

 

Australian Securities and Investments Commission
ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Competition in Exchange Markets) 2011

Subrules 1.2.1(1) and (3) and Rule 1.2.3 Class Rule Waiver

 

 

Enabling provision

 

  1. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) makes this instrument under subrules 1.2.1(1) and (3) and Rule 1.2.3 of the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Competition in Exchange Markets) 2011 (the Competition Rules).

 

Title

 

2.      This instrument is ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680].

 

 

Withdrawal

 

4.      ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 12/1710] is withdrawn.

 

Waiver

 

5.      ASIC relieves a Participant from the obligation to comply with Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules in the case where the Participant enters into a Transaction:

  1. as an “ETF Special Trade” in accordance with Rule [3310] of the ASX Operating Rules and reported to ASX in accordance with Procedure 3310 of the ASX Operating Rules Procedures; or
  2. as a “Crossing of a Derivative/Cash Combination” in accordance with paragraph 6 of Part B of Procedure 4060 of the ASX Operating Rules Procedures and reported to ASX in accordance with Procedure 3500 of the ASX Operating Rules Procedures.

 

6.      ASIC relieves a Participant from the obligation to comply with Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules in the case where the Participant enters into a Transaction other than by matching of an Order on an Order Book and:

 

  1. the Participant acts:
    1. on behalf of both buying and selling clients to that Transaction; or
    2. on behalf of a buying or selling client on one side of that Transaction and as Principal on the other side;
  2. the Transaction is executed at a price per Relevant Product which is:
    1. higher than the Best Available Bid and lower than the Best Available Offer by one or more Price Steps; or
    2. at the Best Mid-Point, where the Best Mid-Point is not limited to standard Price Steps for the Relevant Product; and
  3. the consideration for the Transaction is greater than $0.

 

7.      ASIC relieves a Participant from the obligation to comply with Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules, during the period from  26 May 2013 to 26 September 2013 (inclusive), in the case where the Participant enters into a Transaction in a Relevant Product by matching of an Order on an Order Book of the Chi-X Market and:

  1. the Transaction results from:
    1. execution of a Market Pegged Order or Primary Pegged Order at a price per Relevant Product which is the same as the Best Available Bid or Best Available Offer; or
    2. execution of a Mid-Point Order at a price per Relevant Product which is higher than the Best Available Bid and lower than the Best Available Offer and which is at a price other than a standard Price Step; 
  2. in accordance with the requirements of the Chi-X Operating Rules; and
  3. the consideration for the Transaction is greater than $0.

 

7A. ASIC relieves a Participant from the obligation to comply with Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules, in the case where a Participant enters into a Transaction in an Equity Market Product as a result of a Derived Order.

7B. ASIC relieves a Participant from the obligation to comply with Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules, in the case where a Participant enters into a Transaction in an Equity Market Product that is part of a Contingent Equity Transaction.

 

7C. The relief in paragraph 7B applies until midnight on 4 May 2018.

 

Interpretation

 

8.      In this instrument:

 

ASX Clear Operating Rules means the operating rules of ASX Clear Pty Limited (ACN 001 314 503) as at 4 May 2015.

 

ASX Operating Rules means the operating rules of ASX as at 4 May 2015.

 

ASX Operating Rules Procedures means the procedures to the ASX Operating Rules as at 4 May 2015.

 

ASX Trade means the equities trading platform operated by ASX.

 

Best Available Bid, in relation to a Transaction in a Relevant Product, means the highest Pre-Trade Transparent Bid, for Relevant Products in the same class as the Relevant Products the subject of the Transaction, available across all Order Books other than the Order Book maintained by or on behalf of ASX and known as “PureMatch”, at the time the Transaction is executed.

 

Best Available Offer, in relation to a Transaction in a Relevant Product, means the lowest Pre-Trade Transparent Offer, for Relevant Products in the same class as the Relevant Products the subject of the Transaction, available across all Order Books other than the Order Book maintained by or on behalf of ASX and known as “PureMatch”, at the time the Transaction is executed.

 

Best Mid-Point means:

 

(Best Available Bid + Best Available Offer) ÷ 2.

 

Cash Only Combination means a Cash Only Combination within the meaning of ASX Operating Rule [7100].

 

Chi-X means Chi-X Australia Pty Ltd.

 

Chi-X Market means the financial market operated by Chi-X.

 

Chi-X Operating Rules means the operating rules of Chi-X as at the date of this instrument.

Contingent Equity Transaction means a single Transaction consisting of a Transaction in an Equity Market Product and one or more OTC Options Market Transactions, where the requirements in Procedure 3002 of the ASX Operating Rules Procedures are met.

 

Derivative/Cash Combination means a Derivatives/Cash Combination within the meaning of ASX Operating Rule [7100].

 

Derived Order means an Order generated by ASX Trade for a component leg of a Derivative/Cash Combination or Cash Only Combination traded as a Tailor Made Combination Order, whenever the best price and quantity available on the opposite side of the remaining legs is sufficient to satisfy the Tailor Made Combination Order.

 

Market Pegged Order means an Order submitted to the Chi-X Market as a ‘Market Pegged Order’, that maintains a price relative to Best Available Bid (for a Sell Order) or Best Available Offer (for a Buy Order).

 

Mid-Point Order means an Order submitted to the Chi-X Market as a ‘Mid-Point Order’ with a limit price of half a standard Price Step, that maintains a price higher than the Best Available Bid and lower than the Best Available Offer.

OTC Options Market Transaction means an OTC Options Market Transaction within the meaning of Rule 2.10.1 of the ASX Clear Operating Rules.

 

Participant means a participant of:

(a)   the financial market operated by ASX; or

(b)   the financial market operated by Chi-X Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 129 584 667).

 

Primary Pegged Order means an Order submitted to the Chi-X Market as a ‘Primary Pegged Order’, that maintains a price relative to the Best Available Bid (for a Buy Order) or Best Available Offer (for a Sell Order).

 

Relevant Products means Equity Market Products and CGS Depository Interests.

 

Tailor Made Combination Order means a Tailor Made Combination within the meaning of ASX Operating Rule [7100], entered into in accordance with Procedure 4111 of the ASX Operating Rules Procedures.

 

9.      In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, capitalised terms have the meaning given by the Competition Rules.

 

Notes to ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680]

Note 1

ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680] (in force under Rules 1.2.1(1) and (3) and Rule 1.2.3 of the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Competition in Exchange Markets) 2011) as shown in this compilation comprises that Class Rule Waiver amended as indicated in the tables below.

Table of Instruments

Instrument number

Date of FRL registration

Date of commencement

Application, saving or transitional provisions

[CW 13/680]

24/5/2013 (see F2013L00839)

26/5/2013

 

[CW 14-0322]

2/5/2014 (see F2014L00486)

2/5/2014

-

[15/0384]

4/5/2015 (see F2015L00635)

4/5/2014

-

[CW 16/0352]

29/4/2016 (see F2016L00594)

30/4/2016

-

[CW 17/0370]

3/5/2017 (see F2017L00494)

4/5/2017

-

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     LA = Legislation Act 2003    rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

Para 3...........

rep. s48D LA

Para 7A..........

ad. [CW 14-0322]

Para 7B..........

ad. [ 15/0384]

Para 7C..........

ad. [15/0384];

am. [CW 16/0352] and [CW 17/0370]

Para 8...........

am. [CW 14-0322] and [15/0384]

 

 

Overview

The ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680], enacted in 2013, addresses specific compliance issues within the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Market Integrity Rules (Competition in Exchange Markets) 2011. This legislative instrument was introduced to provide relief to Participants from certain obligations under Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules, thereby facilitating more flexible trading practices in financial markets. The waiver was enacted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under subrules 1.2.1(1) and (3) and Rule 1.2.3 of the ASIC Market Integrity Rules. The primary policy objective behind this waiver is to enhance market efficiency and competition in exchange markets by allowing certain types of transactions that would otherwise be restricted under the standard rules. The waiver specifically targets transactions such as "ETF Special Trades," "Crossing of a Derivative/Cash Combination," and various other trading scenarios that involve different types of orders and market conditions, with the overarching aim of supporting a more dynamic and responsive trading environment.

Scope and Application

The ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680] applies to participants in the financial markets operated by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Chi-X Australia, effectively providing exemptions from certain competition-related rules under the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Competition in Exchange Markets) 2011. The waiver exempts specific types of transactions, such as "ETF Special Trades" and "Crossing of a Derivative/Cash Combination," from Rule 4.1.1(1) of the Competition Rules. It also exempts transactions where participants act on behalf of clients in particular ways and where the transaction price falls outside standard price steps. Furthermore, it provides temporary relief from these rules for certain orders executed on the Chi-X Market and permanent relief for transactions resulting from derived orders or contingent equity transactions, with the latter expiring on 4 May 2018. The waiver is applicable nationwide within Australia, as it is an instrument of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), a Commonwealth authority. The relief granted by this Class Rule Waiver may be further defined or amended through subordinate instruments, such as subsequent class rule waivers, ensuring the regulatory framework can adapt to market conditions and practices.

Key Provisions

The ASIC Class Rule Waiver [CW 13/680] provides specific reliefs from compliance with certain rules under the ASIC Market Integrity Rules (Competition in Exchange Markets) 2011. This waiver applies to Participants of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Chi-X Australia financial markets. The primary operative sections are 5, 6, 7, 7A, and 7B. Section 5 exempts Participants from Rule 4.1.1(1) when entering into certain types of transactions, such as ETF Special Trades or Crossings of Derivative/Cash Combinations, if they meet specific criteria and report accordingly to the ASX. Section 6 further exempts Participants from Rule 4.1.1(1) in cases where the transaction is executed under specific conditions, such as acting on behalf of both buying and selling clients or executing at a non-standard price point. Section 7 provides relief for transactions on the Chi-X Market between specific dates, provided they meet the conditions set out for Market Pegged Orders, Primary Pegged Orders, and Mid-Point Orders. Section 7A exempts Participants from Rule 4.1.1(1) for transactions in Equity Market Products resulting from Derived Orders. Section 7B exempts Participants from Rule 4.1.1(1) for transactions in Equity Market Products that are part of a Contingent Equity Transaction. The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this Act are primarily related to compliance with specific conditions for transactions to qualify for the exemptions. Participants must ensure that their transactions meet the criteria outlined in sections 5, 6, 7, 7A, and 7B. This includes correctly reporting transactions to ASX when necessary and ensuring that the transactions meet the specified conditions, such as acting on behalf of both buying and selling clients or executing at non-standard price points. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the exemptions not applying, thereby requiring compliance with the otherwise applicable rules. Any breaches of the conditions set out in this waiver may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the Act, breaches of market integrity rules typically can lead to fines, disciplinary actions, or other penalties as prescribed under the ASIC Act or other relevant legislation. The maximum penalties for breaches of financial services laws can be substantial, often reaching millions of dollars for corporations and significant fines for individuals, depending on the severity and impact of the breach. Additionally, enforcement actions can include public reprimands, disqualification from managing corporations, and other sanctions that can affect the reputation and operational capacity of the offending party.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.