The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is holding a free multi-industry virtual workshop this week on understanding and responding to the needs of First Nations consumers. 

ASIC says the workshop on Thursday at 1:30pm AEDT will bring together representatives from across the financial services industry, including credit, banking, general and life insurance, and the superannuation sectors. 

“In holding a multi-industry sector workshop, we aim to encourage sectors to engage in the sharing of information and application of innovative approaches taking place in other sectors, given the similarities of challenges experienced by First Nations consumers as they interact with the financial services system,” the regulator says. 

The workshop program aims to cover the following themes: 

A deep dive into some case studies of First Nations consumers’ interactions with industry identification verification processes, in discussion with consumer advocates; 

Delving into guidance on supporting consumers without conventional forms of identification through adapted and embedded flexible processes; and 

Sharing and discussion of examples of current innovative approaches developed by communities and industry participants. 

To attend, email Indigenous.FS.Framework@asic.gov.au.