In an era dominated by cloud platforms, AI tools, and no-code solutions, it’s easy to overlook the humble Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Yet, across Australian finance departments, VBA remains a behind-the-scenes engine—quietly automating, connecting, and transforming everyday workflows. In 2025, with new regulatory and tech shifts, VBA’s role is evolving but far from obsolete. Let’s unpack why this scripting language is still a staple, and how it continues to empower businesses large and small.
Why VBA Still Matters in 2025
While newer automation tools are flooding the market, VBA holds a unique spot in Australia’s financial sector for several reasons:
- Deep integration with Microsoft Office: Excel, Access, and Outlook are still core to business operations. VBA is the native glue that allows for seamless customisation and automation.
- Cost-effective solutions: No extra licenses or cloud subscriptions needed—just the Office suite, already standard for most companies.
- Rapid prototyping: Need a custom report or reconciliation tool? VBA delivers quick wins without lengthy IT project cycles.
Recent industry surveys show that over 70% of mid-sized Australian firms still rely on VBA-driven processes for monthly financial reporting, bulk data imports, and compliance checks.
Real-World Applications: From Compliance to Forecasting
Let’s look at how Australian businesses are leveraging VBA in 2025:
- Regulatory reporting: With updated ASIC and ATO requirements this year, many finance teams use VBA scripts to validate data before submission, minimising the risk of fines or audit flags.
- Automated reconciliations: Banks and SMEs alike use VBA macros to match transactions across ledgers, flagging exceptions instantly and saving hours of manual effort.
- Custom dashboards: VBA powers bespoke Excel dashboards that pull in live data from accounting systems, giving CFOs at-a-glance insights for decision-making.
- Payroll and superannuation: With 2025’s SuperStream enhancements, VBA scripts help businesses stay compliant by formatting and validating bulk payment files before upload.
One Sydney-based consultancy recently used VBA to create a tool that automatically generates multi-entity BAS statements—cutting a two-day job down to just two hours each month.
Adapting to the Modern Tech Landscape
It’s true that cloud-based solutions and Power Automate flows are making inroads, but VBA is adapting rather than fading away:
- Hybrid automation: Many teams now combine VBA with APIs and cloud services. For example, a VBA macro can prep data in Excel, then push it to Xero via a secure API.
- Enhanced security: With 2025’s new data privacy rules, IT teams are updating VBA projects to include better encryption, access controls, and logging—keeping sensitive financial data safe.
- Training and upskilling: Demand for VBA skills remains high. TAFEs and online courses in Australia report steady enrolments, as businesses want in-house talent who can maintain and upgrade critical macros.
There’s also a growing trend of using VBA as a bridge—rapidly prototyping tools in Excel, then migrating successful solutions to more scalable cloud platforms over time.
Looking Ahead: The Future of VBA in Australian Finance
While it’s unlikely VBA will ever be as flashy as the latest AI tool, its practicality and low barrier to entry make it a mainstay for Australian finance teams in 2025. Expect VBA to continue evolving—integrating more with cloud services, and supporting smarter, more secure automation as business needs shift.
