ACCC compliance and enforcement priorities 2026-27  

The ACCC’s 2026-27 compliance and enforcement priorities address several areas that directly impact Australian Financial Services Licensees (AFSLs), particularly regarding consumer protection, digital conduct, and transparency. These include:

  • Scams prevention framework: AFSLs must adhere to the 2025 Framework, which requires designated sectors to take proactive steps to prevent, detect, disrupt, and report scams while sharing actionable intelligence with the ACCC.
  • Digital markets and “dark patterns”: the ACCC is targeting manipulative “dark patterns,” such as subscription traps or hidden fees, which can impact how financial products are sold or managed online.
  • Consumer data right (CDR): the ACCC continues to enforce strict data-sharing and data-quality obligations, specifically monitoring major banks and other participants to ensure compliance.
  • Sustainability and greenwashing: any financial product or service marketed with environmental claims (e.g., “green” investments) will face scrutiny to ensure those claims are truthful and not misleading.
  • Essential service conduct: financial services are viewed as essential to economic participation; therefore, the ACCC focuses on ensuring pricing structures are clear and do not exploit consumer loyalty or lack of transparency.
  • Enforcement of compliance culture: the ACCC has signaled it will seek high penalties and executive accountability for systemic failures, especially where a poor compliance culture is evident within a firm. Read more here.

Organisations affected: AFSL holders

Policies affected: As required

ASIC Consults on Enhancing Listed Entity Transparency

ASIC is seeking feedback on new proposals designed to enhance corporate transparency by clarifying the ultimate ownership and control of Australian listed entities, responding directly to the Strengthening Financial Systems Act 2025.

Through Consultation Paper 387, ASIC plans to expand market disclosures to better capture equity derivative interests by introducing a new legislative instrument, an updated Substantial Holding Notice, and amendments to existing regulatory guides. Industry stakeholders have until April 21, 2026, to submit their feedback on these proposed changes. Read more here.

Contact MIntegrity today for a confidential consultation and expert regulatory support.

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