Finance in Focus Portal
Extension of unfair trading practice protections to small businesses
Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has announced Treasury will consult this year on the design of protections for businesses, including on whether a principles-based prohibition should apply and whether specific unfair trading practices should be targeted to protect small businesses.
ASIC warns payday lenders may be breaching consumer protection laws
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has released Report 805 Falling short: Compliance with the small amount credit contract obligations (REP 805) which sets out ASIC’s observations from its recent review into lenders, following changes to laws governing small amount credit contracts in 2022 and 2023 under the Financial Service Reform Act 2022 (FSR Act).
New Franchising Code of Conduct: Table of key changes
Treasury has published a table which explains changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct that start from 1 April 2025. This follows the Code being recently remade.
Change to conditions of AFCA’s authorisation as ombudsman service
Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has announced a new ministerial direction which will enable the Australian Financial Complaints Authority to investigate culpability of the receiving bank on behalf of a scam victim.
RBA Risk Assessment: Proposed Decommissioning of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System
The Reserve Bank of Australia has released its risk assessment into the payments industry’s proposed decommissioning of the Bulk Electronic Clearing System.
Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index
Westpac has released its latest Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index which has reported a 4 per cent rise in March, rising to 95.9 from 92.2 in February.
NASC: Targeting Scams Report
The National Anti-Scam Centre’s latest Targeting Scams Report– which combines data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange, IDCARE and Australian Securities and Investments Commission – has found scam losses reported to key organisations fell by 25.9 per cent to $2b in 2024.
Solifi Global Leasing Report 2025
AFIA Associate Member, Solifi has released its 2025 edition of the Global Leasing Report.
Government finalises Consumer Data Right rules for non-bank lenders
Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones has announced the final Rules for the Consumer Data Right extension to the non-bank lending sector, commencing from mid‑2026. The sector was formally designated in 2022.
UK Financial Ombudsman Service receives 40 per cent more cases when compared to the same time last year
The UK Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has announced it is continuing to receive high levels of complaints from consumers and small businesses, according to new figures.
FCAI VFACTS report February 2025
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has released new vehicles sales data for the month of February from its VFACTS report.
Buy Now Pay Later Regulations finalised
The National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Low Cost Credit) Regulations 2025 have now been published, and are available for access on the Federal Register of Legislation.
APRA proposes changes to strengthen and streamline governance and fit and proper requirements
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has released a discussion paper for consultation outlining eight key proposals to strengthen its prudential governance framework for banks, insurers and superannuation trustees.
ASIC updates guidance to clarify treatment of student loan commitments by banks and lenders
ASIC has updated its regulatory guidance to clarify how the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), and other student loan commitments, may be considered by banks and lenders assessing whether a consumer can afford to take on new credit.
RBA Payments System Board Update: March 2025 Meeting
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Payments System Board has met to discuss a number of key payments issues at its most recent March meeting.
AFSA releases State of Personal Property Securities System Report 2023-24
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) has released its flagship State of the Personal Property Securities System Report 2023–24 which encompasses analysis of the current state of the Personal Property Securities System (PPSS) including market context across 2023-24, AFSA’s regulatory focus relating to its administration of the PPSR, and the regulator’s corresponding forward priorities.
Minutes of the Monetary Policy Meeting of the Reserve Bank Board – 17 and 18 February 2025
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has published the minutes of its February monetary policy meeting, where the Board decided to reduce the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.10 per cent and to decrease the interest rate on Exchange Settlement balances by 25 basis points to 4.00 per cent.
AER grants trial waiver for innovative kerbside EV chargers
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has announced the granting of a trial waiver to PLUS ES to install up to 1,000 kerbside, pole-mounted electric vehicle (EV) chargers across NSW and SA.
Australian Sustainable Finance Action Plan
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute has released its Australian Sustainable Finance Action Plan 2025-2027, which encompasses 26 priority actions across 8 key domains, including reducing emissions, building climate resilience, protecting and restoring nature, enabling First Nations economic self-determination, and driving community resilience and financial inclusion.
ASIC releases discussion paper on private and public capital markets
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched a discussion paper on the evolving dynamics of public and private capital markets, calling for feedback on potential regulatory adjustments.