Australian Banking Association (ABA)
The industry association representing banks in Australia, including work on the banking code of practice.
In this profile
- Explain what the ABA is and the sector it represents
- Describe its bank members
- Outline its advocacy and code-of-practice work
- Show how it relates to credit, hardship and collections
- Point readers to the official website for current details
6 min read
What it is
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) is the industry association representing banks in Australia. It acts as a collective voice for its bank members on policy and industry matters and is known for its role in the banking code of practice.
As an industry body, the ABA represents members and supports industry standards. It is not a government regulator of banks.
Who its members are
Its members are banks operating in Australia, ranging from major banks to smaller and regional institutions. These members provide a large share of the country's lending to households and businesses.
Because banks are major lenders, they are also significant creditors when customers experience financial difficulty.
What it does
The ABA's work includes advocacy, policy and industry standards. It engages with government and regulators, contributes to debate on banking and finance, and supports a code of practice that sets out commitments member banks make to customers, including on hardship.
It also publishes information to help the public understand banking practices and customer protections.
Relevance to debt & credit
Bank lending underpins a large amount of consumer and business debt. Commitments in the banking code, such as how banks support customers in hardship, directly affect how arrears and collections are handled by member banks.
For businesses managing their own receivables alongside bank facilities, the Merion directory outlines practical recovery options for overdue customer accounts.
Where to find out more
The ABA publishes information about its members and the banking code on its official website. As the code and details are updated over time, check the official website for current details.
Key takeaways
- The ABA is the industry association representing banks in Australia.
- Members are banks, from major institutions to smaller and regional ones.
- It supports advocacy and a banking code of practice.
- Check the official ABA website for current details.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ABA regulate banks?
No. It is an industry association. Bank regulation sits with government regulators. The ABA represents members and supports industry standards such as a code of practice.
What is the banking code of practice?
It is a set of commitments that participating banks make to customers, including around hardship. See the official source for the current code and its scope.
How does this affect my debt to a bank?
If your lender follows the code, it sets out commitments such as hardship support. For your specific situation, contact the bank; this page is general information only.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Details can change — always confirm current contact details and processes on the organisation's official website.
Know who to turn to
A free, plain-English directory of the regulators, courts, schemes and services behind debt and credit in Australia.