Introduction
From 1 November 2018, Australia will have a new external dispute
resolution body, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority
(AFCA), combining the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), Credit and
Investments Ombudsman (CIO) and Superannuation Complaints Tribunal
(SCT). It will be the 'one stop shop' for consumer
complaints against banks, insurance and superannuation companies,
as well as other financial services providers.
Following the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking,
Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, AFCA is expecting
1,000 complaints per week. Those in the financial services industry
(and their insurers) should familiarise themselves with these
changes.