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APRA Published Annual Banking Service Statistics

The Australian regulator released new data mapping the availability of physical banking channels across the nation.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Banking

Isometric editorial illustration of stylized bank vault blocks and coins arranged in a grid, representing physical financial infrastructure.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority released its annual statistics mapping the accessibility and distribution of physical banking service points across the country. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you still rely on physical bank branches for your primary banking needs?

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest annual statistics regarding physical banking service points. The comprehensive data set maps the accessibility of face-to-face financial services across Australia.

Why it matters

These statistics offer a detailed look at the geographic distribution of essential financial infrastructure. Monitoring these physical access points helps track how banking services are maintained across diverse regions.

APRA tracked 5 specific banking service channel types, including branches and ATMs, across the country. The report relies on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard to classify these points by remoteness.

The players

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)

APRA is the national government agency responsible for the prudential supervision of financial institutions in Australia.

The details

The report provides a structured overview of physical financial touchpoints, covering branches, face-to-face points, Bank@Post, ATMs, and EFTPOS facilities. The collection explicitly excludes non-ADI operated ATMs as well as all digital-only platforms.

Timeline

  1. 4 April 2023: APRA launched a consultation regarding banking data collection.

  2. 13 October 2026: APRA published the latest points of presence statistics.

  3. October 2027: Next release of points of presence statistics.

Market Dynamics

The report adopts the Australian Statistical Geography Standard to standardise how service points are categorised by remoteness. This methodology provides a consistent framework that allows for a comparative analysis of banking access across rural and urban centres.

This data provides transparency for consumers and stakeholders regarding the physical footprint of financial institutions. It enables a clearer understanding of how local communities maintain access to cash and face-to-face services.

The takeaway

Understanding the availability of physical service points is essential for individuals relying on face-to-face financial interactions. Residents should check these reports to confirm the current accessibility of banking services within their local government area.

What happens next

The next update for these points of presence statistics is currently scheduled for release in October 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about the state of the industry in the Banking section.

Live Poll

Do you still rely on physical bank branches for your primary banking needs?