The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will introduce two new statistics publications on the superannuation industry in mid-2005.

The first is an annual publication and will provide an overview of the industry while the second will focus on funds with assets greater than $50 million and will be released quarterly.

The new publications will replace the current quarterly Superannuation Trends.

APRA Deputy Chairman, Mr Ross Jones, said the changes follow the introduction of improved reporting requirements for APRA-regulated superannuation entities.

“APRA has also taken the opportunity to align the publications with emerging issues and business practices across the industry and, where feasible, harmonise them with other prudentially-regulated industries,” he said.

APRA is inviting comment from interested parties on the draft publications, which are available at: http://www.apra.gov.au/Statistics/Superannuation-Institutions-Statistics.cfm by 29 October 2004.
All comments and queries regarding the proposed publications should be addressed to Rana Williams at: rana.williams@apra.gov.au

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is the prudential regulator of the financial services industry. It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurance, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry.APRA is funded largely by the industries that it supervises. It was established on 1 July 1998.APRA currently supervises institutions holding approximately $1.8 trillion in assets for 20 million Australian depositors, policyholders and superannuation fund members.