Andrew Lung

7.30 AM

Having slept through a few alarms, I wake up realising that my morning bus to work leaves in 20 minutes. Luckily the bus stop is within walking distance, and the office is within minutes from my bus stop.

8.30 AM

I get to the office and a find a desk next to a window today. The first thing I do this morning is sift through my emails and action some administrative tasks such as filling in my timesheets and organise my meetings for the day. I have a relatively packed day ahead with several meetings.

9.00 AM

Catch up with my regular coffee buddies.

9.20 AM

My first meeting of the day is on a current matter where ASIC is considering using its legal powers to exempt an entity from certain parts of the law. The entity has proposed to offer credit services to a specific population without the need for an Australian Credit Licence provided by ASIC. I meet with my supervisor on the matter to discuss the potential exemption and any harms that may occur if an exemption is granted. Following this meeting, I have some time to identify any further key risks and regulatory issues which may arise. I spend the latter part drafting a memo outlining issues regarding the proposed lending practice and provide a recommendation for our next steps.

11.00 AM

I have my regular catch up with my manager to discuss the work I’ve been progressing over the last fortnight and to address any administrative requirements such as performance agreements within the team. We also discuss how I’ve found my time in the team so far and whether any further resources are required to assist me with my work.

12.30 PM

I have a quick lunch today as I have a meeting at 1pm. I usually sit with the rest of my Sydney graduate cohort and fill each other in on what’s been going on in our lives.

1.00 PM

As part of the graduate program, we have a monthly meeting with our coordinator. We also usually have a senior manager or senior specialist from ASIC as a guest to discuss case studies or key regulatory topics. There’s a chance to hear from graduates from around the country about what they have been working on and what they have enjoyed so far in their teams.

2.00 PM

I’ve been asked to assist with a meeting with representatives from a number of large financial institutions regulated by ASIC. The meetings form part of ASIC’s consultation on our review of the ePayments Code.

3.00 PM

I have a teleconference with some of Melbourne colleagues on a review of car financing in Australia. I’ve been tasked with reviewing lending practices by a large credit provider regulated by ASIC with respect to car loans. It is our weekly project meeting to discuss our findings and progress.

4.30 PM

I’ve had a packed day full of meetings so far. So, with the last bit of free time for the day, I buckle down to complete a literature edit and review on financial product design, governance and culture. I’m assisting a colleague from Hobart who is part of a committee of international financial regulators.

5.30 PM

Time to head home.

6.30 PM

I’m finally home. I have a chance to freshen up and grab dinner before I try to get in a session at the gym.

9.30 PM

I get home from the gym and promptly have a shower. I prepare my go-to lunch for the next day: chicken and roasted cauliflower. Amongst all the coffees and sugar in between, I need a healthy lunch to balance things out.

11.00 PM

It is finally sleep time however I know I will inevitably sleep through all my alarms and wake up again right before my bus is scheduled to arrive.