ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a reporting model for the credit union sector in Australia. Credit unions are fi nancial institutions within in the banking sector offering community-based competitive fi nancial service. Credit unions can be distinguished from banks by virtue of a focus imbedded in the credit union principles (World Council of Credit Unions [WOCCU] 2007). Being mutual organisations, credit union customers are both members and owners, resulting in a focus on members and benefi ts to those members, and not on generating profi t for external shareholders. The sector is growing with 149 credit unions currently operating throughout Australia, which together hold more than AU$35 billion in assets, providing services to more than 3.5 million Australians (Association of Building Societies and Credit Unions [ABACUS] 2006).
