"Illegal" how? Against an actual Australian law, or do you think it's against the terms of the master services agreement the bank has with the consulting company. Have you seen that agreement or the specific statement of work they're operating under?
I have worked in Financial sector for a long time and know that copying bank software illegally is criminal in US and probably civil in Australia.
I program for the bank via the consulting company and my code is on the internet. Plus my contract is frozen with fees until I withdraw my complaint to IT of my consulting company.
Not sure who to talk to in the bank. HR said I have to resolve with my consulting company but I am pretty sure the HR doesn't understand the implication of copying software
Is the illegal part generic for any software because of copyright and licensing or is it specific for banks? If the latter, what are those laws based on? Why is it not the same as any software for any private company?