Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA)
An industry association representing a broad range of finance providers operating in Australia.
In this profile
- Explain what AFIA is and the sector it represents
- Describe the types of organisations that are members
- Outline its advocacy, standards and self-regulation work
- Show how AFIA connects to credit and debt practices
- Point readers to the official website for current details
6 min read
What it is
The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) is an industry association that represents finance providers in Australia. Its membership spans many forms of lending and finance, so it acts as a collective voice for a broad part of the finance sector rather than for a single product or institution type.
As an industry body, AFIA represents the interests of member organisations, supports good practice and engages with government and regulators on policy. It is not itself a regulator.
Who its members are
Members generally include banks, non-bank lenders, finance companies, fleet and equipment financiers, and providers of consumer and commercial credit. The breadth of membership means AFIA represents a wide cross-section of organisations that extend credit to households and businesses.
Because members offer credit, they are also creditors when customers fall behind, which connects the association to collections and hardship practices.
What it does
AFIA's work centres on advocacy, industry standards and self-regulation. It engages with policymakers, contributes to consultations on finance and credit law, and supports codes of practice that set expectations for how members deal with customers, including those in financial difficulty.
It also provides members with information, training and forums to share developments across the finance industry.
Relevance to debt & credit
Much consumer and commercial debt originates from finance products supplied by AFIA members. Standards and codes that the association supports can influence how lenders handle arrears, hardship and collections.
For businesses that both borrow and lend, understanding the finance industry's expectations is useful when setting your own credit terms. You can compare external recovery support through the Merion directory alongside your finance arrangements.
Where to find out more
AFIA publishes information about its members, codes of practice and policy positions on its official website. Membership, codes and positions are updated over time, so check the official website for current details before relying on any summary.
Key takeaways
- AFIA is an industry association representing finance providers in Australia.
- Members range from banks and non-bank lenders to fleet and equipment financiers.
- Its focus is advocacy, standards and supporting codes of practice.
- Check AFIA's official website for current membership and codes.
Frequently asked questions
Is AFIA a government regulator?
No. It is an industry association that represents finance providers and engages with regulators. Regulation of finance and credit sits with government bodies, not AFIA.
Do AFIA codes apply to my lender?
Codes of practice apply to organisations that have adopted them, which may include AFIA members. Check the lender and the relevant code's official source for scope.
Where can I check current AFIA membership?
Membership lists and details are published on AFIA's official website. As they change over time, confirm current information there rather than from a general description.
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.