Report Overview

A spurring demand from institutional investors for portfolio diversification, shifting regulations, and increasing yields attracting institutional capital are expected to boost the growth of Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market during the forecast period between 2025 and 2031.

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2031

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market size was estimated at USD 69.0 billion in 2024. During the forecast period between 2025 and 2031, Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.35% reaching a value of USD 244.4 billion by 2031. Prominent drivers of Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market include a surging demand for flexible and rapid financing solutions among corporate borrowers, increasing allocations from institutional investors seeking higher yields and portfolio diversification, and the growing appeal of private credit as an alternative to traditional bank lending. Over the past few decades, private credit has emerged as a key financing option for companies that are too large or risky for commercial banks but too small to access public debt markets. Institutional investors, including pension funds and insurance companies, are increasingly deploying capital into private credit funds due to attractive risk-adjusted returns and relative stability compared with public markets. Despite its significant growth, Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market remains opaque and highly interconnected, creating potential financial vulnerabilities. Borrowers are often smaller companies with higher leverage, making them sensitive to rising interest rates and economic downturns, while loans are typically illiquid and infrequently marked to market, relying on models rather than trading prices, which can obscure true credit risk. Layered leverage across borrowers, funds, and investors, along with interconnected exposures among banks, private equity-backed insurers, and pension funds, may amplify systemic risks in periods of stress. While immediate risks appear limited, continued rapid growth without enhanced oversight could increase vulnerabilities, with potential challenges including weaker underwriting standards, liquidity pressures from retail-oriented funds, and opacity in valuations, all of which could result in significant losses during economic downturns. Consequently, policymakers are encouraged to adopt a vigilant regulatory and supervisory approach, strengthen reporting standards, enhance data collection, and improve coordination across industries and borders to monitor leverage, concentration, and systemic risk, safeguarding the stability of the financial system.

Private Credit – Overview

Private credit refers to non-bank lending where funds, asset managers, or financial institutions provide debt directly to companies, often in the form of direct lending, mezzanine financing, distressed debt, or structured credit. Providers of private credit offer flexible capital solutions outside traditional banking, catering to SMEs, corporates, and specialized projects.

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market

Growth Drivers

Increasing Changes in Regulations

The growth of the Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market has been significantly influenced by rising regulatory shifts. Post-2008 banking reforms, including Basel III and Dodd-Frank regulations, have imposed stricter capital requirements on traditional banks, limiting their ability to lend to middle-market firms. This regulatory environment has created opportunities for private credit funds to step in and fill the financing gap, providing an alternative source of capital for companies that may not meet the criteria for traditional bank loans or public debt markets. While private credit offers borrowers flexibility and speed in financing, these regulatory constraints continue to shape the market, influencing deal structures, risk management practices, and the allocation of capital. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, private credit funds and institutional investors must navigate evolving compliance requirements while ensuring sustainable growth and maintaining robust risk oversight in the increasingly monitored financial landscape.

Challenges

Rising Capital Cost

The growth of Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market may face significant challenges from the increasing cost of capital, which has tempered the market growth in recent years. Rising interest rates and wider credit spreads have elevated borrowing costs for corporate borrowers, making private credit financing less attractive compared with alternative funding sources. Higher capital costs also pressure private credit funds to maintain yield targets, potentially leading to tighter underwriting standards or reduced deal flow. As banks and institutional investors adjust to the changing cost environment, some mid-market companies may delay or scale back financing plans. These factors collectively restrain market expansion and highlight the sensitivity of private credit growth to macroeconomic conditions and funding costs.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market

Escalating geopolitical tensions by creating uncertainties in global financial conditions and increasing risk premiums could significantly impact the expansion of Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market. Heightened geopolitical risks, including trade disputes, sanctions, or regional conflicts, can disrupt cross-border lending and investment flows, making borrowers and investors more cautious. Companies may face higher financing costs or delays in accessing capital, while private credit funds could adjust their risk appetites and diversify portfolios to mitigate exposure. Such tensions may also affect interest rates, currency fluctuations, and credit spreads, indirectly restraining market growth. Overall, geopolitical instability can reduce deal activity, elevate funding costs, and influence strategic lending decisions.

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market

Segmental Coverage

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market – By Instrument Type

Based on instrument type, Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market is divided into Direct Lending, Mezzanine Financing, Distressed/Special Situations, Structured Credit, and Unitranche Loans segments. The direct lending segment holds the highest share in the Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market by instrument type, serving as the backbone of the industry. Direct lending involves extending capital directly to companies, primarily in the middle-market, bypassing traditional public markets and bank intermediaries. Its prominence is driven by the ability to offer higher yields, floating interest rates, and customized deal structures, along with stronger protections for investors, such as senior secured positions and financial covenants. The segment’s growth is further supported by regulatory shifts limiting traditional bank lending, increasing institutional and retail investor participation, and the need for faster, more flexible financing solutions, making direct lending the dominant instrument in Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market.

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market – By Borrower Type

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market by borrower type is divided into Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Large Corporates, Real Estate Developers, Infrastructure & Project Financing, and Startups & New Economy Businesses segments. The SMEs segment holds the largest share of Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market by borrower type. Despite their economic significance, SMEs often face challenges accessing traditional bank financing due to strict lending criteria and regulatory constraints, making private credit a critical alternative. Private credit offers flexible, timely, and customized financing solutions that allow SMEs to secure capital without diluting ownership, supporting business expansion, hiring, and operational growth. Business Development Companies (BDCs) and private debt funds have played a central role in channeling this capital through mezzanine loans, asset-based lending, and invoice financing. The popularity of private credit has been further boosted by post-2008 financial crisis, risk aversion among banks and ongoing regulatory reforms limiting traditional lending. As banks face rising capital requirements and regulatory pressures, and as fintech platforms streamline access to capital, SMEs are expected to maintain their dominant position in the Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market, supported by strong investor appetite for alternative lending solutions and continued growth in private credit deployment.

Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market – By End Use

On the basis of end use, Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market is segmented into Real Estate, Infrastructure (Energy, Transport, and Utilities), Manufacturing & Industrials, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Technology & Startups, and Consumer & Retail. Real estate and infrastructure segments are the largest end users in Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in Australia and New Zealand Private Credit Market include Balmain Funds Management, Bentham Asset Management, Coller Capital, Crescent Capital Partners, DomaCom, KKR Credit, MA Financial, Metrics Credit Partners, Qualitas, and Roc Partners. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025 –Carlyle and Australian manager Amicaa provided AUD 240-million debt financing for Tellus Holdings in Western Australia.

• In September 2025 - Redbelly Network & Raze collaborated to launch tokenized private credit vault SPVault with EMBD, tokenizing USD 100 million in private credit.

Scope of the Report

By Instrument Type

• Direct Lending

• Mezzanine Financing

• Distressed/Special Situations

• Structured Credit

• Unitranche Loans

By Borrower Type

• Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

• Large Corporates

• Real Estate Developers

• Infrastructure & Project Financing

• Startups & New Economy Businesses

By End Use

• Real Estate

• Infrastructure (Energy, Transport, Utilities)

• Manufacturing & Industrials

• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

• Technology & Startups

• Consumer & Retail