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Australian fintech may be maturing, but it is not standing still
Both survey results and conversations with industry leaders point to a sector hungry for growth, both at home and abroad. The challenge now is turning ambition into sustainable long-term value.
International and domestic growth
Australian fintech thinks globally, even if its revenue base remains firmly at home.
While 39% of fintechs already generate revenue outside Australia, an equal proportion remain focused on the domestic market for now.
However, with a further 23% actively pursuing international expansion, there is clear appetite for growth beyond Australia's borders.
Here, fintech subsectors add important nuance.
Lending and credit fintechs are significantly more likely to remain in Australia alone, reflecting the complexity of taking regulated credit products into new jurisdictions.
Most popular international markets to expand into
For those looking overseas, the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and New Zealand are the most popular markets.
However, if you include Singapore in Southeast Asia, 46% of fintechs rank the region among their top three markets for expansion.
Roundtable discussions add some interesting context to these preferences. The United Kingdom and United States remain attractive because of their scale, established financial systems and relative familiarity.
However, several industry leaders are looking beyond these traditional destinations towards markets that are actively modernising their financial infrastructure.
Participants highlight opportunities across India and Southeast Asia, particularly in markets such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. One fintech recently launched in Indonesia and Thailand, while others spoke positively about growth opportunities emerging across the region. These markets may not always be the first destinations Australian fintechs consider, but they are increasingly viewed as attractive alternatives to more established expansion pathways.
Interestingly, international growth does not always require expanding overseas first. One participant describes domestic growth as a potential "reverse gateway" to international markets. In their experience, multinational businesses can become customers in Australia before adopting the same solution across operations in other jurisdictions. Winning domestic clients can therefore create international growth opportunities without requiring an immediate overseas presence.
Factors influencing where Australian fintech expands
Founders often gravitate towards markets where they already have experience, relationships or a working knowledge of local conditions. Familiarity can reduce uncertainty and make expansion feel more achievable.
However, this approach risks overlooking viable opportunities, simply because a founder lacks the networks or market knowledge needed to assess them. Businesses may default to familiar destinations even where another market offers a stronger fit for their product.
This is where trade bodies and government can make a practical difference. By providing credible market intelligence, local connections and insight into changing demand, they can help fintechs consider opportunities beyond the markets they already know.
Our survey results suggest that fintechs ultimately prioritise opportunity and certainty above all else. Two factors influence expansion decisions more than any other:
- Regulatory environment: the clarity, maturity and accessibility of a market’s rules.
- Market size: the scale of the commercial opportunity.
Financial-sector strength, compliance costs and existing customers or partners also matter. Government incentives and tax settings rank much lower, suggesting financial concessions alone are unlikely to persuade a fintech to enter a new market.
Fintechs are looking first for a substantial opportunity and a regulatory environment they can understand.
International interest flows both ways
Australian fintechs are looking overseas, but international businesses and investors are also looking at Australia. Wealth management stands out as one area attracting interest, particularly as accumulated Australian wealth changes hands from one generation to the next.
Industry leaders report interest from Asian investors seeking opportunities in the Australian market. They also describe Australia as an attractive destination for international businesses from English-speaking countries. Australia is a large, English-speaking developed market with a mature financial services sector and a relatively familiar operating environment. It can thus serve as both a commercial opportunity in its own right and a potential gateway into the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Exit planning
When it comes to the long-term future of their business, fintech leaders most often rank a trade sale or acquisition as their preferred outcome.
Remaining privately owned and continuing to scale independently, as well as pursuing an initial public offering, also rank highly.
Chapter takeaway:
Building blocks for the next phase of Australian fintech
Help fintechs discover the right markets
The United Kingdom and United States will remain important destinations, but they will not be the best fit for every fintech.
Trade bodies and government can help businesses look beyond familiar markets by providing intelligence about local demand, infrastructure investment and changing commercial conditions.
This support should help fintechs identify markets that suit their products, rather than encouraging international expansion for its own sake.
Sustain trade support over the long term
The Accessing New Markets Initiative and Trade Diversification Network provide useful foundations for collaboration between government and industry.
However, the long-term value of these programs depends on continuity. Market knowledge, commercial relationships, and lessons learned from previous cohorts can compound over time, suggesting that sustained commitment may be more valuable than one-off trade missions or delegations.
Build stronger regional pathways
New Zealand is already one of the sector’s higher-priority markets, making it a logical starting point for closer regional cooperation.
Stronger institutional connections, clearer information about market differences and more coordinated engagement between government and industry could make trans-Tasman expansion easier to navigate.
This could also provide a foundation for more considered engagement across Oceania. Any broader regional approach should respond to the conditions of individual markets rather than treating the region as a single, uniform opportunity.
Acknowledgements
The Fintech Annual Census 2026 - Fintech Australia & RSM would not have been possible without the time, candour and generosity of everyone who contributed.
We thank the 135 fintech businesses that completed the survey, as well as the founders, investors, advisers and industry leaders who shared their experiences through roundtables and one-on-one conversations. Your perspectives added depth and context to the data, helping us present a clearer picture of the opportunities, pressures and priorities shaping Australian fintech.
We look forward to continuing the conversation and returning in 2027 to measure what has changed, where progress has been made and what Australian fintech needs next.
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