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Policy & Advocacy

Policy & Advocacy

Housing industry urges Government to keep SMSF finance flowing to new homes

August 12, 2026

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.

SMSF residential lending ban far exceeds Government estimates

New data from Australia's specialist non-bank lenders reveals the Government's ban on new residential limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) for self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) will affect a market significantly larger than official estimates suggest.

Policy & Advocacy

SMSF lending ban contradicts the budget it was bolted onto

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.

AFIA recommits to lifting industry standards following ASIC motor finance report

24 June 2026 The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) acknowledges the release of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC’s) final report into the motor finance sector and the findings on lending practices and customer outcomes across the sector.

Policy & Advocacy

SMSF residential lending ban will hurt retirement savings of working Australians

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.

Industry sounds alarm on SMSF lending ban

23 June 2026 AFIA, the MFAA and CAFBA warn the Government’s ban on new limited recourse borrowing arrangements for residential property in SMSFs risks reducing investment, limiting credit availability and undermining efforts to increase housing supply.

AFIA report confirms motor finance non-bank lenders are vital to keep Australians moving

5 June 2026 A competitive, thriving motor finance non-bank lending market is vital in helping hundreds of thousands of consumers and businesses access the vehicles they need for work, family and everyday life, according to the latest report from AFIA.

Policy & Advocacy

AFIA backs SME support, cutting regulatory red tape and clear policy pathways as budget fronts economic headwinds

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.

Policy & Advocacy

AFIA welcomes measured EV tax changes while calling for broader policy push to keep momentum going

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.

AFIA welcomes newest members of the Finance Industry Code of Practice

1 May 2026 The Australian Finance Industry Association congratulates Brighte, Navalo Financial Services (trading as Payright BNPL) and Zip as the latest members to join AFIA’s Finance Industry Code of Practice.

Latest industry data shows electric vehicles defy weaker motor finance market

15 April 2026 New AFIA motor vehicle finance data for February 2026 shows EV finance surged 48 per cent year-on-year even as the broader market weakened, with the value of new vehicles financed nearly 3 per cent lower as higher borrowing costs and inflation weigh on demand.

Policy & Advocacy

AFIA welcomes Treasury action to strengthen CSLR and enhance consumer protections

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.

Policy & Advocacy

AFIA Responds to Treasurer's Statement on Fuel Market Disruption and Confirms SME Lenders’ Support for Customers

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.

Electric and hybrid vehicle finance surges to $7.37 billion as policy rollback threatens momentum

17 March 2026 Electric and hybrid vehicle financing surged to $7.37 billion in 2025 – a 20 per cent year-on-year jump – as nearly 130,000 Australians made the switch to cleaner transport according to new Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) industry data.

Don’t stall the transition: AFIA urges policy certainty as record emissions drop confirms momentum

February 25, 2026

25 February 2026 The Australian Finance Industry Association has welcomed new national emissions data confirming Australia’s emissions are continuing to trend downwards, reinforcing the importance of stable, long-term electric vehicle and transport policy settings.

AFIA welcomes first accredited member under Finance Industry Code of Practice

February 25, 2026

26 February 2026 AFIA has congratulated Pepper Money on becoming the first organisation accredited under AFIA’s Finance Industry Code of Practice — an important milestone for the first whole-of-industry code for Australia’s non-bank lending and specialist banking sector.

Banks and lenders unite to fight financial abuse

January 27, 2026

27 January 2026 Australia’s banks and finance firms are joining forces with Australia’s leading financial safety by design expert, to prevent financial abuse, with the launch of the Financial Safety Alliance.

AFIA report confirms non-bank lenders as vital to Australia’s housing finance ecosystem

December 2, 2025

3 December 2025 The Australian Finance Industry Association has published an inaugural report on residential mortgage non-bank lenders (RNBLs) which demonstrates the integral role they play in helping Australians achieve home ownership.

Policy & Advocacy

AFIA welcomes National AI Plan as a major step towards unlocking Australia’s $60 billion in finance-led AI opportunity

December 1, 2025

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.

AFIA welcomes expansion of lender panel for government deposit scheme

November 10, 2025

11 November 2025 The Australian Finance Industry Association today welcomed Housing Australia’s move to expand lender access to the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, a step that will increase competition and give home buyers greater access and choice.

FY25 AFIA Annual Review

October 29, 2025

29 October 2025 FY25 has been a year of transformation and adaptability - a year defined by progress, collaboration, and resilience across our industry.

Stronger consumer protections with the launch of the AFIA Industry Code of Practice

September 22, 2025

22 September 2025 AFIA is proud to unveil its Finance Industry Code of Practice — the first of its kind for Australia’s non-bank lending and specialist banking sector — setting a new benchmark for integrity, transparency and fairness across the industry.

Electric Car Discount could halve vehicle emissions if continued to 2035

September 14, 2025

15 September 2025 New modelling by Magenta Advisory finds extending the Electric Car Discount for a decade could halve vehicle emissions versus ending it in 2027, as keeping the FBT exemption for battery EVs and reinstating it for plug-in hybrids speeds cleaner transport.

Policy & Advocacy

AFIA calls for policy reform to regulate for growth not risk

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.

AFIA announces the release of the updated IPF Code

11 July 2025 The Australian Finance Industry Association announces the release of the updated IPF Code and the accreditation of ClearMatch as a Code Compliant Member.

Australia’s finance boom: $6 billion in 2024 as electric and hybrid vehicle funding surges

16 June 2025 Demand for low-emissions vehicles is surging, with over $6.17 billion in electric and hybrid vehicle finance delivered in 2024—a 50% year-on-year jump, according to new data from AFIA.

AFIA urges government to adopt supportive AI frameworks to unlock billions in economic growth

22 May 2025 A new report commissioned by AFIA and conducted by King & Wood Mallesons and Sapere highlights the transformative potential of Generative AI, with adoption across the finance industry expected to double in the next three years.

AFIA confirms important role of the BNPL Code of Practice

14 May 2025 The Australian Finance Industry Association has today confirmed the Buy Now Pay Later sector is reviewing and updating the BNPL Code of Practice, so it continues to play an important role in our co-regulatory framework.

AFIA calls for stronger policy support to accelerate Australia’s transition to net zero transport

28 March 2025 A new report commissioned by AFIA and conducted by Deloitte Access Economics identifies major barriers to low-emission vehicle adoption, including infrastructure investment shortfalls, fragmented policies, and insufficient government incentives.

AFIA Releases Updated Insurance Premium Funding Code of Practice

20 March 2025 AFIA has today released an update of its Insurance Premium Funding Code of Practice. The updated Code reflects contemporary industry practices, while maintaining a customer-centric approach that emphasises transparency, fairness, and accountability.