ACSA reveals 8.6% rise in AUC
05 March 2026 Australia
Image: Alan Smithers/stock.adobe.com
New data from the Australian Custodial Services Association (ACSA), the industry body for custodians and asset service providers in Australia, reveals an 8.6 per cent rise in assets under custody in the six months to 31 December 2025.
According to the findings, while previous volatility remained, markets maintained positive momentum in the second half of calendar 2025, with assets under custody reaching a record high of AU$6.2 trillion (US$4.37 trillion) by the end of December.
Additionally, individual custodians fared differently throughout the period due to industry consolidation, continued movement in custody assets and market growth.
ACSA notes that after many years of industry support, National Australia Bank Asset Servicing no longer reports custody data to ACSA.
Australian investors increased their allocation to overseas assets by 6.9 per cent to AU$2.25 trillion during the half, with Australian-domiciled investments increasing 9.5 per cent to AU$3.94 trillion.
Assets held in Australia on behalf of offshore investors (sub-custody assets) increased by 10.5 per cent to AU$2.76 trillion.
Asset servicing providers in Australia managed AU$7.2 trillion as at 31 December 2025 — up 7.2 per cent.
They also settled over 14.1 million trades in the six-month period, an increase of 7.9 per cent compared to the previous period.
On average, ACSA members settled approximately 115,000 trades per day on behalf of clients.
David Travers, CEO at ACSA, says: “In the December half, total asset levels reported by ACSA grew, market consolidation and client transitions resulted in changes to individual custodians’ reported assets under custody and administration, and offshore allocations to Australia continued to rise as investors took advantage of investment opportunities and ongoing market momentum.”
Travers continues: “ACSA and its members remain focused on responding to regulatory changes and evolving market frameworks, including the continued support for the ASX CHESS replacement programme, and implementation of regulatory measures such as Operational Resiliency. We have also maintained a strong focus on thought leadership and member development.”
According to the findings, while previous volatility remained, markets maintained positive momentum in the second half of calendar 2025, with assets under custody reaching a record high of AU$6.2 trillion (US$4.37 trillion) by the end of December.
Additionally, individual custodians fared differently throughout the period due to industry consolidation, continued movement in custody assets and market growth.
ACSA notes that after many years of industry support, National Australia Bank Asset Servicing no longer reports custody data to ACSA.
Australian investors increased their allocation to overseas assets by 6.9 per cent to AU$2.25 trillion during the half, with Australian-domiciled investments increasing 9.5 per cent to AU$3.94 trillion.
Assets held in Australia on behalf of offshore investors (sub-custody assets) increased by 10.5 per cent to AU$2.76 trillion.
Asset servicing providers in Australia managed AU$7.2 trillion as at 31 December 2025 — up 7.2 per cent.
They also settled over 14.1 million trades in the six-month period, an increase of 7.9 per cent compared to the previous period.
On average, ACSA members settled approximately 115,000 trades per day on behalf of clients.
David Travers, CEO at ACSA, says: “In the December half, total asset levels reported by ACSA grew, market consolidation and client transitions resulted in changes to individual custodians’ reported assets under custody and administration, and offshore allocations to Australia continued to rise as investors took advantage of investment opportunities and ongoing market momentum.”
Travers continues: “ACSA and its members remain focused on responding to regulatory changes and evolving market frameworks, including the continued support for the ASX CHESS replacement programme, and implementation of regulatory measures such as Operational Resiliency. We have also maintained a strong focus on thought leadership and member development.”
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