About Us

AFMA represents over 140 leading financial market participants, from the major and regional Australian banks, leading international banks, global brokers, all government treasury corporations to Australian super funds, asset managers, large energy firms, carbon marketers, and critical legal and market infrastructure providers. Formed in 1986, today we are the leading industry association promoting efficiency, integrity and professionalism in Australia's financial markets – including the capital, credit, derivatives, foreign exchange and other specialist markets.

Promoting Market Efficiency

AFMA promotes best practice in financial markets so they continue to maximise their contribution to the economic health of Australia and facilitate self-management of the OTC markets through efficient and ethical market practices, conventions and standard documentation. AFMA's widely-accepted industry standards for transaction processing ensures that operational aspects of financial transactions, in particular confirmation, settlement, reconciliation and risk management processes are globally-recognised best practice. Through AFMA, industry participants work collectively on issues of mutual interest to promote industry development, create a healthy environment for their businesses, improve efficiency, enhance Australia as a financial centre and promote industry best practice. AFMA seeks to promote efficient regulation that inspires investor confidence in our markets. We play a leading role in providing industry input to government and regulators on public policy matters relevant to the financial markets.

Promoting Market Integrity

AFMA underpins official regulation by providing OTC market conventions, industry standards and best practice guidance that promote market integrity and efficiency. This is supported by a member committee process that embeds ongoing industry review and assessment of market performance.

Promoting Market Professionalism

AFMA encourages high standards of professional conduct in financial markets via our partnership with Macquarie Business School to deliver AFMA accreditation with the Financial Markets Certificate. AFMA accreditation enjoys widespread industry acceptance, to individuals who achieve the required level of competence. Accreditation is one-way firms seek to demonstrate staff capability and professionalism. AFMA has developed the Foundations of Financial Markets course for staff in roles adjacent to trading and sales roles e.g., compliance staff. The Foundations course provides students with a good introduction to markets concepts and transaction types.