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To engage in credit activities, a business must have a credit licence or an authorisation from a credit licensee.

ASIC is the national regulator for consumer credit and consumer leases under the national credit legislation. This legislation includes:

• the National Credit Code (which is ScheduleÌý1Ìýto the National Consumer Credit Protection ActÌý2009 (National Credit Act)) – which contains requirementsÌýfor the entry into andÌýterms and enforcement of credit contracts and consumer leases
• the National Credit Act – which contains requirementsÌýthat persons who are involvedÌýwith consumers obtaining credit contracts or consumer leasesÌýmust be licensed andÌýmust comply with responsible lending requirements.ÌýÌý

People that engage in credit activities generally need a credit licence or an authorisation from a licensee. This includes both the credit providers and lessors, and other persons, such as finance brokers.

'Credit activity' is defined in the National Credit Act and includes activity relating to credit contracts, consumer leases, mortgages and guarantees, and credit services.

Credit guidance and information

We have issued detailed guidance and general information to help you understand the credit licensing process and your obligations under the credit legislation: see Related links.

You can find more information about licensing on our Credit licensees pages.

However, you may also need to get professional advice on how theÌýlaw appliesÌýto your situation.

You might not need an Australian credit licence if you meet an exemption under the legislation, or if ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ has granted relief. See Regulatory GuideÌý51 Applications for Relief (¸é³ÒÌý51) for more information on applications for relief.

Information for consumers and borrowers on using credit wisely and managing debt and what to do if experiencing financial difficulty is available on the .

To make a complaint to ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ about a credit product or service, read the information on .

Credit registers

You can search and browse the following online registers for free to check a person's authorisations to engage in credit activities:

• Register of banned bodies corporate
• Register of unlicensed carried over instrument lenders.

Related links

• Applying for and managing your credit licence
• Regulatory GuideÌý205 Credit licensing: General conduct obligations (¸é³ÒÌý205)
• Information SheetÌý104 FAQs: Complying with your credit obligations (INFO 104)
• Information SheetÌý105 FAQs: Dealing with consumers and credit (±õ±·¹ó°¿Ìý105)
• Information Sheet 140 Australian Consumer Law substantiation notices: Your rights (±õ±·¹ó°¿Ìý140)
• National Credit Code
• Regulatory index – Credit
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