On 17 October 2018 the following matter was referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 22 February 2019.

Credit and financial services targeted at Australians at risk of financial hardship, with particular reference to:

    (a)   the impact on individuals, communities, and the broader financial system of the operations of:

          (i)      payday lenders and consumer lease providers,

          (ii)     unlicensed financial service providers including ‘buy now, pay later’ providers and short term credit providers, and

          (iii)    debt management firms, debt negotiators, credit repair agencies and personal budgeting services;

    (b)   whether current regulation of these service providers meets community standards and expectations and whether
            reform is needed to address harm being caused to consumers;

    (c)   the present capacity and capability of the financial counselling sector to provide financial counselling services to
           financially stressed and distressed members of the community; and