Misconduct reports to ASIC highlight spike in corporate governance issues

[Newsroom](https://www.asic.gov.au/newsroom) PrintShare - [X Opens in new window](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asic.gov.au%2Fabout-asic%2Fnews-centre%2Ffind-a-media-release%2F2026-releases%2F26-033mr-misconduct-reports-to-asic-highlight-spike-in-corporate-governance-issues%2F&text=Misconduct%20reports%20to%20ASIC%20highlight%20spike%20in%20corporate%20governance%20issues) - [Facebook Opens in new window](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asic.gov.au%2Fabout-asic%2Fnews-centre%2Ffind-a-media-release%2F2026-releases%2F26-033mr-misconduct-reports-to-asic-highlight-spike-in-corporate-governance-issues%2F) - [LinkedIn Opens in new window](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asic.gov.au%2Fabout-asic%2Fnews-centre%2Ffind-a-media-release%2F2026-releases%2F26-033mr-misconduct-reports-to-asic-highlight-spike-in-corporate-governance-issues%2F) - [Email Opens in new window](mailto:?subject=Misconduct%20reports%20to%20ASIC%20highlight%20spike%20in%20corporate%20governance%20issues&body=An%20article%20from%20ASIC%3A%0D%0A%0D%0AMisconduct%20reports%20to%20ASIC%20highlight%20spike%20in%20corporate%20governance%20issues%0D%0A%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.asic.gov.au%2Fabout-asic%2Fnews-centre%2Ffind-a-media-release%2F2026-releases%2F26-033mr-misconduct-reports-to-asic-highlight-spike-in-corporate-governance-issues%2F) 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](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/asic-investigations-and-enforcement/asic-enforcement-priorities/ "ASIC 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](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/contact-us/reporting-misconduct-to-asic/ "Reporting misconduct to ASIC") 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](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/corporate-publications/reports-of-misconduct-data/ "Reports of misconduct data"). ASIC today also released its six-monthly [Enforcement and Regulatory update](https://www.asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/reports/rep-829-asic-enforcement-and-regulatory-update-july-to-december-2025/ "REP 829 ASIC enforcement and regulatory update: July to December 2025"), 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](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/corporate-publications/reports-of-misconduct-data/ "Reports of misconduct data") - [Report 829 _ASIC enforcement and regulatory update: July to December 2025_](https://www.asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/reports/rep-829-asic-enforcement-and-regulatory-update-july-to-december-2025/ "REP 829 ASIC enforcement and regulatory update: July to December 2025") - [Summary of enforcement outcomes](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/asic-investigations-and-enforcement/asic-enforcement-outcomes/summary-of-enforcement-outcomes-july-to-december-2025/ "Summary of enforcement outcomes: July to December 2025") ## 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. ASIC media releases are point-in-time statements. Please note the date of issue and use the internal search function on the site to check for other media releases on the same or related matters. ## Topics [financial reporting](https://www.asic.gov.au/newsroom/search/?tag=financial%20reporting) [reports and publications](https://www.asic.gov.au/newsroom/search/?tag=reports%20and%20publications)