The Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA) is the national industry association for commercial finance brokers. It advocates for the sector and provides education and professional standards.
CAFBA and the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) are separate bodies. CAFBA focuses on brokers arranging business and equipment finance.
How CAFBA Began and What It Has Won
CAFBA formed in 2008 when the Victorian-based Australian Finance Association merged with the NSW-based Australian Equipment Finance Association.
CAFBA’s account of its advocacy describes a 2013 outcome keeping commercial finance outside the proposed consumer credit framework. It also records the 2019 Royal Commission’s support for keeping small-business lending outside the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act).
That distinction explains CAFBA’s focus on business lending regulation. A broker arranging consumer credit still needs to meet the rules that apply to that work.
What Membership Requires and Delivers
CAFBA describes its membership as including “over 1,000 firms and brokers nationwide”. That figure combines firms and individual brokers.
CAFBA’s 2025 AGM notice sets out a constitution change for 2026 that moves voting membership from broking firms to individual brokers. Its Professional Membership is now held by the individual. A free Business Member record links the broker to their firm for reporting and billing.
The Professional Membership requirements include the following:
- Professional indemnity insurance of at least $2 million per claim and in the aggregate, including 12 months’ run-off cover.
- Current Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) membership and an internal dispute resolution policy for the firm.
- Four written professional references from finance or lending institutions or aggregators.
- A Diploma of Financial Services (FNS51822) Complex Issues in Commercial Lending, or an equivalent or higher qualification.
- Police, credit and bankruptcy checks, plus evidence of commercial finance experience.
- Anti-money laundering training, the CAFBA compliance quiz and declaration, and agreement to its Professional Standards.
The requirements extend beyond the application. CAFBA requires annual completion of its compliance quiz and declaration, with periodic updates to background checks.
Membership gives brokers a channel into industry advocacy and relationships with finance providers. For lender access, distinguish association contacts from the accreditations available through aggregators that support asset finance.
Education and the Pathway Into Commercial Finance
The CAFBA Education Council develops the association’s commercial finance education pathway. CAFBA works with the Institute of Strategic Management on its qualifications.
CAFBA’s catalogue lists Certificate IV in Financial Services (FNS41820) and Diploma of Financial Services (FNS51822). The Certificate IV covers commercial and asset finance foundations. The Diploma addresses more complex commercial finance work.
The education pathway includes a Diploma bridging program for eligible mortgage brokers and experienced lending professionals. Recognition of prior learning can credit existing skills through assessment.
If you are adding commercial work to a residential book, choose the pathway that matches your existing qualification and experience. Course completion and association membership have separate requirements.
Diversity and Community Programs
Women of CAFBA supports women across commercial and asset finance through events, networking and career development. Brokers, lender staff and support teams can take part.
Commercial Lending Young Professionals (CLYP) supports younger professionals through networking and professional development. CAFBA also promotes Camp Quality fundraising, with members able to contribute through association events or direct donations.
Where the Networking Happens
CAFBA’s event program includes Lunch & Learn sessions and state networking functions. Its education pathway also includes professional development days and opportunities to learn alongside lenders.
These events give you a place to discuss deal issues and build relationships beyond your own brokerage. Membership creates opportunities for introductions, while each lender keeps its own accreditation and credit requirements.
CAFBA also takes the commercial channel’s collective position to government and Treasury consultations. That gives policy discussions a sector-wide perspective beyond the concerns of one brokerage.
Using CAFBA Resources in Your Operations
CAFBA publishes regulatory updates and industry information through its Commercial Insider bulletin and education resources. Its update on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) reforms is one example of its work explaining regulatory questions affecting commercial brokers.
Assign someone in your business to turn relevant updates into changes to training or application procedures. Keep the source guidance with the change so staff understand which activities it covers.
Before joining, weigh the membership fee and ongoing requirements against the advocacy and lender relationships your business will use. Match that decision to your commercial book’s size and the amount of commercial work you plan to write.
