The Banking Code of Practice is a set of promises about how banks will behave when dealing with current and potential customers, small businesses and guarantors. For signatory banks, the Code is part of the bank’s contract with a customer and is enforceable by law. This means that customers can rely on the promises made in the Code.

The Code was developed and is owned by the Australian Banking Association (ABA). All banks that are members of the ABA and provide retail banking services must adopt the Code. The Code currently has 19 subscribers.

2019 Banking Code of Practice
2019 Banking Code of Practice

Improving the Code

The Code was first introduced in 1993. Since then, it has been periodically reviewed and improved to keep pace with industry changes and consumer and community expectations. Following the most recent Code review in 2017, the ABA redrafted the Code.

The redrafted Code strengthened protections for consumers and was approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in 2018. On 1 July 2019, the new 2019 Code came into effect. The Banking Code Compliance Committee is the independent body that monitors banks to make sure they are following the Code.

The current Code

Learn about the strengthened protections in the 2019 Code and read it in full.

The current Code

Subscribing banks

Browse the list of banks that have adopted the Code.

Subscribing banks

Previous Codes

Find previous versions of the Code that apply to banking services provided before 1 July 2019.

Previous Codes