The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is an Australian Government agency that administers the personal insolvency system and operates the national Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is an Australian Government agency within the Attorney‑General’s portfolio. AFSA administers and regulates the personal insolvency system (including bankruptcy and debt agreements) and operates the national Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), which records security interests over personal property such as cars, equipment, and other movable assets. AFSA also provides public registers, regulatory oversight of insolvency practitioners, and access to information and records related to personal insolvency and PPSR transactions.
A charge from AFSA (or sometimes “AFSA PPSR” or similar wording) on your bank or card statement typically relates to a PPSR transaction (such as conducting a search or registering, renewing, or amending a security interest) or a statutory fee connected to a personal insolvency matter. Common scenarios include paying to search the PPSR before buying a used vehicle, registering a security interest over goods or equipment, paying fees as part of a bankruptcy or debt agreement process, or ordering official extracts or copies of records. These are generally one‑off, government‑set fees rather than subscriptions, although you may see repeat charges if you perform multiple searches or renew registrations over time.
To verify an AFSA charge, start by checking your recent activity on ppsr.gov.au, afsa.gov.au, or through any online service you used for an insolvency or PPSR‑related transaction. Look for email receipts or confirmation messages from AFSA or PPSR that match the date and amount on your statement; government receipts typically include a transaction reference number. If you still have questions, contact AFSA via the details on afsa.gov.au (phone, online enquiry form, or mail) with your full name, date, amount, and any reference numbers so they can locate the payment. If you believe a charge is incorrect or unauthorised, AFSA can confirm whether there is a matching transaction in their system, and you can also speak with your bank about disputing the charge if necessary.
Bank Statement Variations
3 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Australian Financial Security Authority.
Why do I have a charge from the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) on my card or bank statement?
Most AFSA charges relate to either a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) transaction or a fee for a personal insolvency service. This might include paying to search the PPSR, registering or renewing a security interest, or paying a statutory fee associated with bankruptcy, a debt agreement, or accessing copies of records. Review any recent PPSR activity or AFSA correspondence (including via myGov) around the date of the charge.
What types of PPSR payments could show up as an AFSA charge?
If you used the PPSR (ppsr.gov.au), you may be charged a government‑set fee for searching the register, registering a security interest (for example, over a vehicle or business equipment), renewing a registration, or amending details. Each search or registration is a separate, one‑off transaction, so multiple searches in a short period can result in several small AFSA‑related charges. The exact fees are prescribed by regulation and listed on the PPSR and AFSA websites.
Does AFSA offer any subscriptions or recurring billing services?
AFSA does not operate consumer subscriptions in the way commercial services do; most fees are one‑off statutory charges for specific services. However, if you regularly use the PPSR or AFSA Online Services for business purposes, you may incur regular fees for repeated searches or registrations. These will still appear as individual transactions rather than a single recurring subscription debit. If you see regular AFSA charges, review your PPSR account or speak with your business or finance team to see who is initiating these transactions.
How can I verify what a specific AFSA charge was for and get a copy of the receipt?
First, check your emails (including spam/junk) for a receipt or confirmation from AFSA or PPSR around the date of the charge; receipts usually include the transaction type (e.g. PPSR search, registration) and a reference number. If you used an online account (such as a PPSR organisation account), log in and review your transaction history and invoices. If you cannot find a record, contact AFSA via afsa.gov.au or by phone with the date, amount, and last four digits of the card used so they can search for the matching payment and provide documentation where appropriate.
How do I fix or cancel an incorrect PPSR registration that I was charged for?
If you accidentally created an incorrect PPSR registration, you may be able to amend or discharge (remove) it through your PPSR account at ppsr.gov.au, but the original registration fee is generally non‑refundable because it is a statutory charge. Log in to your PPSR account, locate the registration using the registration number from your confirmation email, and follow the steps to amend or discharge it. If you are unsure how to proceed or believe the registration was created in error by someone else, contact PPSR/AFSA support for guidance.
Can I get a refund from AFSA if I made a mistake or no longer need the service?
AFSA’s fees are prescribed by legislation, and many PPSR and insolvency‑related charges are non‑refundable once the service has been provided (for example, a completed PPSR search or a processed registration). In limited circumstances—such as clear technical error, duplicate payment, or proven incorrect charging—AFSA may review and, where appropriate, process an adjustment or refund. To request a review, contact AFSA with full details of the transaction, including receipts, reference numbers, and an explanation of the issue; they will assess your request under the applicable regulations and policies.
Why do I see a small or temporary AFSA or PPSR charge that later disappears?
When you pay AFSA or use an online government payment gateway, your bank may place a temporary authorisation hold on your card to confirm the funds are available. This can appear as a pending or small "test" charge that is later finalised or dropped, depending on the outcome of the transaction. If the transaction did not complete, the hold should disappear automatically within a few business days; if it remains or converts to a posted charge you don’t recognise, contact your bank and AFSA for clarification.
How do I contact AFSA about a charge or ask about an insolvency or PPSR account issue?
You can find current contact details on afsa.gov.au, including phone numbers (such as AFSA’s national enquiries line), online enquiry forms, and postal addresses. When you contact them about a charge, have ready your full name, contact details, the date and amount of the transaction, and any reference numbers from receipts or your PPSR or AFSA Online Services account. For insolvency‑specific questions (like bankruptcy or debt agreements), you may also need your administration or case reference number so AFSA can access the correct file.