New ASIC data released today shows an increase in reports of misconduct (ROMs), driven largely by corporate governance concerns, including failures to provide company records, insolvency matters and shareholder issues.
Between 1 July and 31 December 2025, ASIC received 9,686 ROMs, raising 13,036 issues. Corporate governance matters accounted for 40% of these issues, with financial services and retail investor issues totalling 44%.
ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said, 'The figures point to an increase in concerns being raised about corporate governance issues.
'They underscore ASIC's enforcement priorities, which include tackling governance and directors' duties failures, reaffirming that stronger governance remains a top priority for ASIC.'
The Deputy Chair said robust governance isn't just good practice - it's good for business and for Australia.
ASIC has a number of active investigations into governance failures and directors' duties.
Data also showed a 28% increase in ROMs compared with January to June 2025, partly reflecting ASIC's uplifted website in June, making it easier to lodge reports of misconduct with ASIC.
'Reports of misconduct continue to be an important source of intelligence for ASIC,' the Deputy Chair said.
'They help us identify key issues for consumers, investors and creditors, and guide our decisions on potential criminal and civil action.'
The Deputy Chair said ASIC continues to welcome reports and tip-offs from the public.
The half-yearly report is available on the Reports of misconduct data webpage.
ASIC today also released its six-monthly Enforcement and Regulatory update, which highlighted $349.8 million in civil penalties imposed by courts and hundreds of millions of dollars delivered back to Australians as part of investigation and remediation work.
More information
- Reports of misconduct data
- Report 829 ASIC enforcement and regulatory update: July to December 2025
- Summary of enforcement outcomes
Background
- Corporate governance matters accounted for 5,217 of issues raised, up from 3,819 in the previous period. These included governance concerns (35% of category), failures to provide records to liquidators on company activities (19%), fraud allegations (11%), insolvency issues (9%) and reports relating to registered liquidator conduct (5%).
- More than 5,700 issues related to financial services and retail investor matters.
