Stay up to date with policy and advocacy news from AFIA and the Australian finance industry.
The housing industry is calling on the Australian Government to allow self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to continue borrowing to build new homes, at least until the impact of its new borrowing restrictions on housing supply is independently assessed and made public.
In policymaking, the first test is simple: does a measure solve the problem it targets? That is the question the Government must answer after moving to ban new lending for residential property within SMSFs while grandfathering existing arrangements.
25 June 2026 Australia’s non-bank residential mortgage lenders are concerned the Government’s ban on new limited recourse borrowing arrangements for residential property in SMSFs will disadvantage ordinary Australians, undermine retirement savings and weaken lending competition.
13 May 2026 The Australian Finance Industry Association today acknowledges the Federal Budget and its focus on productivity, reform and resilience in what is a challenging environment of sustained domestic economic pressure and international disruption to supply chains.
5 May 2026 The Australian Finance Industry Association welcomes the release of the Government’s Statutory Review of the Electric Car Discount and the decision to provide a clear, phased pathway for changes to the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for electric vehicles.
8 April 2026 AFIA welcomes three Treasury consultations on draft consumer protection reforms and proposed changes to the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, aimed at restoring fairness and sustainability to Australia’s financial consumer protection framework.
1 April 2026 AFIA acknowledges the Treasurer’s announcement outlining coordinated action between Government, regulators and industry to support Australian families and small businesses affected by global energy market disruption and fuel supply pressures.
02 December 2025 AFIA has welcomed the Albanese Government’s National AI Plan, describing it as a significant step towards realising the economic and productivity benefits of artificial intelligence while maintaining trust and strong safeguards for consumers.
29 July 2025 The Australian Finance Industry Association is calling on the Australian Government to focus on smarter regulation, digital innovation and targeted policy reform to unlock Australia’s productivity potential.
19 August 2024 AFIA has responded to Treasury’s proposed extension of the small business responsible lending obligations exemption, supporting the extension and noting how important it is that small businesses can access readily available, appropriately offered credit.
19 June 2024 AFIA has welcomed the Federal Government’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap, which will help investors, companies and the community make the most of the significant opportunities arising from the global net zero transition and economic transformation.
22 May 2023 AFIA welcomed the Federal Government’s response to the Treasury Options Paper on regulating Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) in Australia, announced today at the Responsible Lending and Borrowing Summit in Sydney.
10 February 2023 AFIA today released its submission to Treasury’s Options Paper: Regulating Buy Now, Pay Later in Australia.
25 November 2022 AFIA welcomes removal of FBT from electric and hybrid vehicles.
21 November 2022 On 21 November 2022, AFIA welcomed the ‘Regulating Buy Now Pay Later in Australia’ Options paper released by Treasury.
