pc
nid 94317
Jul 30, 2026
kgurnani@vixio.com
Australia
Australian Securities and Investments Comission
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1808 charsAustralian Securities and Investments Commission Simplifies Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Requirements for Listed Entities
On December 4, 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) implemented enhanced beneficial ownership reforms that streamline compliance obligations for listed entities on Australian financial markets. The reforms, which passed in December 2025, introduce simplified disclosure requirements designed to improve transparency regarding ultimate ownership, control, and significant economic exposure to listed companies.
ASIC has consolidated three separate forms into a single Substantial Holding Notice (SHN) form, simplifying the calculation methodology for determining deemed economic interests and offsetting short positions in listed securities. The regulator has also implemented an index-based format for registers of relevant interests (RORI). These changes reflect ASIC's commitment to minimising regulatory burden while maintaining market transparency and oversight. ASIC registered the ASIC Corporations (Listed Entities Enhanced Beneficial Ownership) Instrument 2026/482 on the Federal Register of Legislation and made the ASIC Corporations (Amendment and Repeal) Instrument 2026/483 to amend and repeal related relief instruments.
ASIC has updated multiple regulatory guides to reflect the reforms, including Regulatory Guide 5 (Relevant interests and deemed economic interests), Regulatory Guide 9 (Takeover Bids), and Regulatory Guide 222 (Substantial holding disclosure and tracing requirements). The regulator has also made consequential amendments to Regulatory Guides 6, 10, 74, 128, and 193. Until June 4, 2027, interest holders may comply using either the new SHN or three replacement forms replacing Forms 603, 604, and 605. ASIC is exploring with market operators a web-based portal for submitting substantial holding information to further streamline the process.
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1362 charsAustralian Securities and Investments Commission Simplifies Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Requirements for Listed Entities
On July 30, 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) implemented enhanced beneficial ownership reforms that streamline compliance obligations for listed entities on Australian financial markets.
The reforms, which passed in December 2025, introduce simplified disclosure requirements designed to improve transparency regarding ultimate ownership, control, and significant economic exposure to listed companies. The main changes are:
A new consolidated Substantial Holding Notice, replacing three earlier forms.
Broader disclosure of economic exposure obtained through instruments such as equity derivatives, even where the holder does not have direct voting rights.
A simplified method for calculating deemed economic interests and offsetting short positions.
A standard index-based format for listed entities’ registers of relevant interests.
Updated guidance in RG 5 , RG 9 and RG 222 covering substantial holdings, takeovers, tracing notices, securities lending and prime-broking arrangements.
Extension of the regime to foreign-incorporated entities listed on Australian securities exchang es , aligning them with Australian-listed entities.
The changes come into effect on December 4, 2026. Until June 4, 2027, substantial holders may use either the new consolidated notice or the replacement versions of the existing forms.