Arca – Making Credit Work for All Australians
We are Australia’s peak industry association for credit reporting and data sharing. We work with Australia’s leading credit providers and credit reporting bodies to improve consumer outcomes and make credit more visible, accessible and understood.
Through advocacy, governance, education and engagement, we shape best practice and ensure Australia’s credit system is robust, respected and trusted. Our mission is to ensure credit is visible, accessible, and understood. From setting data standards for credit reporting to leading consumer initiatives like CreditSmart©, we work across industry, government, and consumers to build confidence in the Australian credit system.
Our Areas of Work
Our work is driven by the vision of making credit work for all Australians. We work with our Members and key stakeholders in a respectful, knowledgeable and collaborative way to understand and improve credit in Australia. We aim to make credit visible, accessible and understood. Our key drivers for success are:
Data system and rules framework
Building fairer, transparent systems for consumers.
CreditSmart® Consumer Education
Empowering Australians to understand and manage credit wisely.
Industry Standards & PRDE
Maintaining the Principles of Reciprocity & Data Exchange.
System improvements
Identifying and progressing policy initiatives and improvements.
Arca’s Credit
Summit 2026
Nov 10 till Nov 12, 2026, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove
Progress In Action
Join Australia’s credit industry leaders to collaborate, share insights, and lead policy development.
Latest News
How checking your credit report could save homeowners thousands
As the cost of living continues to soar, comparing rates and lenders can be a great way to ease the
Rising rates put credit health back in focus
As interest rates rise, the Australian Retail Credit Association is urging brokers not to underplay the role of credit health
Banks and non-bank lenders form alliance to tackle financial abuse
New Financial Safety Alliance aims to embed ‘safety by design’ across Australian credit and banking products.
Arca Team Members
Our team is made up of passionate and experienced professionals who are committed to making credit work for all Australians. Together, they lead Arca’s work across policy, regulation, consumer education, and industry collaboration.
Arca Submissions
Arca works with all Members and other key stakeholders to provide thought leadership, develop co-ordinated industry positions and lead advocacy efforts on key issues impacting Members.
Credit Reporting
- Arca Submission to Productivity Commission interim report on Harnessing data and digital technology – 15 September 2025
- Arca Submission to the Response to Consultation on Proposed Variation to the Credit Reporting Code – 21 February 2025
- Arca Submission to the Review of Australia’s Credit Reporting Framework – 14 June 2024
Financial Abuse
- Arca Submission to the Joint Consultation on AFCA Approaches to family violence and financial elder abuse – 11 April 2025 including the Arca Consolidated Report as Annexure A
- Arca Submission to the inquiry into the financial services regulatory framework in relation to financial abuse in Australia – 14 June 2024 including the Arca Consolidated Report as Annexure A
What Arca Members are Saying
Arca Members
Arca represents more than 95% of Australia’s consumer credit market through its diverse member base of major banks, lenders, fintechs, mutuals and credit reporting bodies.
Become an Arca Member
Full Membership
Financial and non-financial credit providers, as well as credit reporting bodies, are eligible to join Arca as full members.
Arca Members actively contribute to driving better consumer outcomes, and play a direct role in improving understanding of and shaping industry best practice and participating in Arca’s governance and working groups.
Associate Membership
Our Associate Members are aligned with the credit industry, but do not hold a credit licence.
They include industry service providers including developers and data platforms, mortgage insurers, money management tools and apps, law firms and financial technology businesses providing financial education and information to consumers.
How to Apply
1
Contact us to request a Membership Application Form
2
Upon discussion and agreement, your application will be submitted to the Arca Board for review.
3
The Board meets monthly. Once approved, your onboarding begins immediately.