Sustainability reporting

This section contains information about the sustainability reporting requirements under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act).

Under the sustainability reporting regime, large Australian businesses and financial institutions are required to prepare a sustainability report. The sustainability report is the fourth report required as part of these entities’ annual reporting obligations, alongside the financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report.

The Australian Parliament has prioritised the introduction of climate-related financial disclosures. It comprises the first, and at this stage only, component of the sustainability report. Over time, the Australian Parliament may introduce additional mandatory sustainability reporting requirements for subjects beyond climate.

ASIC is responsible for administering the sustainability reporting requirements in the Corporations Act and will monitor entities’ compliance with these requirements.

Sustainability reports prepared in accordance with the law help maintain and promote confidence and integrity in Australia’s capital markets. They also help users of the information to make informed decisions.

This ASIC webpage summarises the requirements on sustainability reporting, but it does not cover all aspects of the sustainability reporting regime. For more information, refer to the relevant legislation and sustainability standards.

This information does not represent legal or other professional advice. We encourage you to seek your own professional advice to find out how the Corporations Act and other relevant laws may apply to you and your circumstances.

In this section

• For preparers of sustainability reports
  • Who must prepare a sustainability report?
  • What should your sustainability report contain?
  • How and when to lodge your sustainability report?
  • Relief from sustainability reporting requirements
  • Modified liability settings
• ASIC’s administration of the sustainability reporting regime – How ASIC will administer and enforce the regime in its early years, including ASIC’s forward work-plan
• Audit and assurance of sustainability reports – Upcoming audit and assurance requirements for preparers and auditors of sustainability reports
• Further regulatory resources and news – ASIC resources regarding sustainability reporting, regulatory documents, and media releases, as well as other external resources that you may find helpful
• Historical development of climate-related financial disclosures – Background to the development of climate-related financial disclosures in Australia