Introduction
The Australian Government has released exposure draft legislation that, if passed, will significantly transform the regulatory framework in the digital assets space. The proposals aim to bring digital asset and tokenised custody platforms within the financial services regulatory perimeter under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), requiring operators of them to
On 30 September 2025, the Australian Government announced a review of the Terrorism and Cyclone Insurance Act 2003 (Cth) (the Act).
Background
The Act provides the legislative underpinning for the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation’s operation of the Terrorism Reinsurance Pool (terrorism reinsurance pool) and Cyclone Reinsurance Pool (cyclone reinsurance pool).
As part of its 2025 enforcement priorities, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has been taking on insurers it says haven’t treated customers fairly or in good faith. In its latest move, announced on 23 September 2025, the regulator initiated proceedings in the Federal Court against RACQ Insurance Limited (RACQ)
On 24 September 2025, the Australian Government issued for comment draft legislation that would ban the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting. The amendments follow the policy concern that individuals are delaying or neglecting to obtain genetic testing for fear that an adverse result will affect their ability to obtain affordable life
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its 2025-26 Corporate Plan, which details APRA’s objectives and activities for the period 2025 to 2029. The Plan outlines APRA’s role in protecting the financial interests of Australians by promoting the safety and stability of the financial system.
A few of APRA’s top strategic priorities
On 14 July 2025, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) issued a consultation on minor updates to the Private Health Insurance (Health Benefits Fund Enforcement) Rules 2015 (the Rules).
Background
The Rules set requirements on enforcement matters. They provide for procedural matters relating to voluntary deeds of arrangement, external manager recommendations that
On 12 June 2025, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) issued a consultation paper on modifying the capital framework for annuities.
In summary the proposals redesign the illiquidity premium in Prudential Standard LPS 112 Capital Adequacy: Measurement of Capital (LPS 112). Specifically, APRA proposes to allow a bigger liquidity premium where
This article was co-authored with Michele Beck, Tom Clark, Masooma Saberi, Hasan Mohammad and Vivian Truong.
Between November 2024 and January 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) released draft guidance for the new sustainability reporting regime, as well as guidance on the financial Advisor reforms in the Treasury Laws Amendments (Delivering Better Financial
This article was co-authored by Michele Beck, Tom Clark, Masooma Saberi, and Vivian Truong.
In October 2024, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) was successful in its action against a life insurer in relation to misleading statements. ASIC issued or proposed updates in relation to licensing and professional registration activities, OTC derivative transaction reporting