Banking & credit disputes

Banks and lenders in Australia are bound by the Banking Code of Practice (or an equivalent code) and, where relevant, the National Credit Code, covering fees, hardship assistance, disputed transactions, and how they can report you to credit bureaus. A bank that will not properly engage with a hardship request, or that has made an error on a transaction or your credit file, is not the final word.

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is the free, independent body for disputes against banks, credit providers, and most other financial firms. It can direct a bank to fix an error, waive a fee, or reassess a hardship application, and it costs you nothing to lodge a complaint.