Australian Prudential Regulation Authority survey finds 97% of regulated entities see supervision benefits but only 24% think prudential changes consider regulatory costs

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published results from its latest biennial stakeholder survey of APRA-regulated banks, insurers and superannuation trustees, showing strong support for APRA’s supervisory approach while highlighting more mixed views on how regulatory costs and compliance burden are considered. The 2025 survey drew 262 responses from regulated entities, a 70 per cent response rate (up from 67 per cent in 2023). Respondents reported positive impacts from supervision on organisational strength (93 per cent) and risk management practices (96 per cent), and 82 per cent saw APRA’s prudential requirements as benefiting financial management; 74 per cent believed APRA provided sufficient opportunity for consultation on proposed changes to prudential standards or guidance. While 68 per cent agreed APRA effectively pursued financial safety alongside considerations such as efficiency and competition, only 24 per cent said changes to APRA’s prudential framework sufficiently considered the costs of regulation imposed on industry. APRA Chair John Lonsdale said the survey feedback is contributing to APRA’s thinking as it develops priorities for the next financial year, including the balance between financial safety and avoiding unnecessary burden on industry.