Australia's unique success

Australians are great fintech innovators. Our A$45 billion fintech industry is strong in payments, middle and back-office systems, neobanks, blockchain and regtech. Our global success is built on:

  • a highly skilled and multilingual technology workforce
  • an advanced, A$10 trillion financial services sector
  • a tech-savvy population of early adopters.

Almost two-thirds of digitally active adults use fintech products in Australia. This makes us a great test bed for fintech innovation.

Annual investment in Australian fintech averaged A$3.5 billion from 2019 to 2022 (Source: KPMG, Australian Fintech Survey Report, 2023) (PDF 2 MB). Investors benefit from:

  • an enhanced regulatory sandbox, which allows fintech firms to test their products before obtaining a full license
  • ongoing reform of regulations for payments, digital assets and open data regulations
  • a fast-growing local fintech ecosystem with strong links to venture capital
  • a great location for regional headquarters, with established links to Asian markets.

Australia represents an outsized market opportunity for fintech investors. We have a A$10 trillion financial services sector. (Source: Roy Morgan Banking and Finance Report 2022).

Our vibrant fintech market has created hundreds of products that are globally popular. Our strengths include:

  • payments technology, including contactless payments
  • money management, thanks to our huge, A$4billion managed funds industry
  • blockchain; Australia is now a leading creator of blockchain standards
  • regtech, thanks to our world-leading regulatory sandbox.

The EY FinTech Australia Census found Australian fintech companies are born global. Around 40% of their business revenue is generated from international markets.

How we can help

Incentives, grants and support

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources administers a suite of business innovation grants and initiatives. These grants and initiatives support research, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.

Snapshot


Australia's fintech industry


Global fintech ranking

6th in the world.


Asia-Pacific ranking

2nd in the Asia Pacific.


Market size

Valued at $45 billion in 2023.

Sources:

  1. 2021 Global Fintech Rankings, Findexable
  2. 2021 Global Fintech Rankings, Findexable
  3. Australian Fintech: Leading the World

The Australian Government supports development of our fintech industry. This includes brokering international agreements with other financial centres.

FinTech Australia is the lead industry body for fintech in Australia.

  • The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has a world-leading regulatory sandbox. Its purpose is to facilitate financial innovation.
  • Australia has a range of skilled worker visa options. They help fintechs employ overseas talent. 
  • Austrade helps Australian fintech companies grow in international markets. We also assist with productive foreign direct fintech investment into Australia.

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