Consumer and Commercial Leasing in Australia

The Consumer and Commercial Leasing industry has slowly evolved into a dynamic provider of credit. Member companies focus on giving Australian families and businesses access to essential household appliances, computers, mobile phones and furniture through simple, fixed-term rental contracts, enabling customers to enjoy set periodical payments for items they need access to – with the added security of ongoing maintenance and service through the life of the contract.

The Consumer Leasing industry’s customer base serves a broad cohort of Australians, from young professionals and working families balancing a budget, to low-income households; from those in the city and regional areas to rural communities, the sector occupies an important place in the consumer credit ecosystem by advocating financial inclusion.

The sector is a highly regulated space. The Consumer Lease provided by RLAL Members is governed by the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, has the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as its regulator, and includes significant obligations – including the requirement to hold and maintain an Australian Credit Licence and to be an Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) member.

RLAL and its Members promote and engage in responsible lending policies to ensure all customers are provided with products that suit their needs, they are not financially overcommitted, and their consumer rights are protected.