TheArtOfService
Back to Frameworks

Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

Self-Assess
Australia: Commonwealth (all States and Territories by referral)
vAct No. 50, 2001, compilation No. 148, compilation date 27 August 2026 (C2026C00382, registered 9 September 2026); latest on the Federal Register as at 1 October 2026
8 domains
60 controls

The core compliance duties of Australia's Corporations Act 2001, scoped: directors' and officers' duties (care and diligence, good faith, use of position and information, material personal interests, indemnities, insolvent trading and the safe harbour, employee entitlements), financial and sustainability reporting and audit, continuous disclosure, and the core financial services obligations of AFS licensees (licensing, efficiently honestly and fairly, breach reporting and remediation, FSG, SOA, best interests, conflicted remuneration, client money, hawking, design and distribution, PDS and product intervention). The rest of the Act is not built.

Verified

Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is a compliance framework from Australia: Commonwealth (all States and Territories by referral) with 8 domains and 60 controls that map to 6 other frameworks. The largest domains are Chapter 2M: Financial and sustainability records, reports and lodgement – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (16 controls), Chapter 7 Parts 7.7, 7.7A and 7.8: Retail client disclosure, advice conduct, client money and records – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (9 controls), Part 2D.1 and related: Director and officer duties – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (9 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard Blokdyk

Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (8)

Chapter 2M: Auditor duties and audit appointment – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

5 controls
Controls in the Chapter 2M: Auditor duties and audit appointment – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 5 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s307-308ss 307, 307A, 307AA and 308 Auditors: conduct the audit under the auditing standards and report to members
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s307Cs 307C Auditors: give the directors a written independence declaration
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s311s 311 Auditors: report significant contraventions and interference to ASIC within 28 days
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s324CA-324DAss 324CA to 324DA Auditors: resolve conflicts of interest, meet specific independence rules and rotate
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s327A-327Bss 327A and 327B Public companies: appoint an auditor within 1 month of registration and at each AGM vacancy

Chapter 2M: Financial and sustainability records, reports and lodgement – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

16 controls
Controls in the Chapter 2M: Financial and sustainability records, reports and lodgement – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 16 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s286-288ss 286 to 288 Keep written financial records for 7 years
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s286As 286A Keep sustainability records for 7 years
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s292ss 292 to 294B Prepare an annual financial report and directors' report when required
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s292As 292A Prepare an annual sustainability report when the thresholds are met
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s295-297ss 295 to 297 Financial report contents, accounting standards, true and fair view and directors' declaration
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s295As 295A Listed entities: CEO and CFO declarations before the directors' declaration
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s296A-296Ess 296A to 296E Sustainability report contents: climate statements, disclosures, standards and directors' declaration
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s298-299Ass 298 to 299A Directors' report: general information and listed entity operating and financial review
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s300s 300 Directors' report: dividends, directors, options, indemnities and public company details
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s300As 300A Listed companies: include a remuneration report
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s301-301Ass 301 and 301A Have the financial report and sustainability report audited
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s302-306ss 302 to 306 and 320 Disclosing entities: prepare, review and lodge half-year reports within 75 days
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s312s 312 Officers: give the auditor access to books and all information and assistance required
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s314-317ss 314 to 317 Report to members by the deadline and lay reports before the AGM
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s319s 319 Lodge the annual reports with ASIC within 3 or 4 months
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s344s 344 Directors: take all reasonable steps to comply with the financial reporting and records requirements

Chapter 6CA: Continuous disclosure – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

2 controls
Controls in the Chapter 6CA: Continuous disclosure – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 2 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s674-674Ass 674 and 674A Listed entities: notify the market operator of price-sensitive information under the listing rules
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s675-675Ass 675 and 675A Other disclosing entities: lodge price-sensitive information with ASIC as soon as practicable

Chapter 7 Part 7.6: Australian financial services licence and general obligations – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

8 controls
Controls in the Chapter 7 Part 7.6: Australian financial services licence and general obligations – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 8 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s911A-911Bss 911A and 911B Hold an AFS licence, or act only as an employee, director or authorised representative of a licensee
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912A-1as 912A(1)(a) Provide financial services efficiently, honestly and fairly
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912A-1aas 912A(1)(aa) Maintain adequate conflicts of interest management arrangements
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912A-1b-cas 912A(1)(b), (c) and (ca) Comply with licence conditions and financial services laws, and ensure representatives comply
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912A-1d-hs 912A(1)(d) and (h) Have adequate resources and adequate risk management systems
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912A-1e-fs 912A(1)(e) and (f) Maintain competence and ensure representatives are trained and competent
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912A-1gs 912A(1)(g) and (2) Maintain internal dispute resolution and AFCA membership for retail clients
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912Bs 912B Maintain compensation arrangements for retail clients

Chapter 7 Part 7.6: Breach reporting and client remediation – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

3 controls
Controls in the Chapter 7 Part 7.6: Breach reporting and client remediation – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 3 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912DAAs 912DAA Report reportable situations to ASIC within 30 days
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912DABs 912DAB Report other licensees' advisers' serious breaches to ASIC within 30 days
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s912EA-912EBss 912EA and 912EB Notify, investigate and compensate affected personal advice clients

Chapter 7 Parts 7.7, 7.7A and 7.8: Retail client disclosure, advice conduct, client money and records – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

9 controls
Controls in the Chapter 7 Parts 7.7, 7.7A and 7.8: Retail client disclosure, advice conduct, client money and records – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 9 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s941A-941Dss 941A to 941D Give retail clients a Financial Services Guide before providing the service
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s946A-946Css 946A to 946C Give a Statement of Advice for personal advice to retail clients
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s961B-961Jss 961B, 961G and 961J Act in the client's best interests, give appropriate advice and prioritise the client
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s961Lss 961K and 961L Licensees: take reasonable steps to ensure representatives meet the best interests obligations
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s962F-962Hss 962F to 962S Ongoing fee arrangements: obtain and renew written client consent
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s963E-963Gss 963E to 963G Do not accept conflicted remuneration
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s981Bss 981B to 981H Pay client money into a designated trust account on the day of receipt or the next business day
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s988A-989Bss 988A to 989B Keep licensee financial records and lodge an audited annual profit and loss statement and balance sheet
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s992As 992A Do not hawk financial products to retail clients through unsolicited contact

Chapter 7 Parts 7.8A, 7.9 and 7.9A: Design and distribution, product disclosure and product intervention – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

8 controls
Controls in the Chapter 7 Parts 7.8A, 7.9 and 7.9A: Design and distribution, product disclosure and product intervention – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 8 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s1012A-1017Bss 1012A to 1012C and 1017B Give a PDS to retail clients, and notify holders of material changes
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s1023Ps 1023P Comply with ASIC product intervention orders
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s994Bs 994B Issuers: make an appropriate written target market determination before distribution, and publish it
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s994Cs 994C Issuers: review TMDs on schedule and stop distribution within 10 business days of a review trigger
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s994Ds 994D Distributors: do not distribute a product without a required TMD
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s994Es 994E Issuers and distributors: take reasonable steps so that distribution is consistent with the TMD
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s994Fs 994F Keep DDO records, and distributors: report complaints, specified information and significant dealings to the issuer
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s994Gs 994G Issuers: notify ASIC of significant dealings inconsistent with the TMD within 10 business days

Part 2D.1 and related: Director and officer duties – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

9 controls
Controls in the Part 2D.1 and related: Director and officer duties – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) domain of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) — 9 controls
CodeTitle
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s180s 180 Exercise powers and discharge duties with reasonable care and diligence
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s181s 181 Act in good faith in the corporation's best interests and for a proper purpose
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s182-183ss 182 and 183 Do not improperly use position or information to gain an advantage or cause detriment
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s188s 188 Company secretary (or proprietary company directors): keep corporate lodgements and registers current
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s191-195ss 191 to 195 Disclose material personal interests, and in public companies do not vote or attend on them
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s199A-199Css 199A to 199C Do not exempt or improperly indemnify or insure officers and auditors
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s205Gs 205G Listed company directors: notify the market operator of their interests within 14 days
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s588Gss 588G and 588GA Prevent the company incurring debts while insolvent (safe harbour available)
australia-corporations-act-2001-cth::s596AB-596ACss 596AB and 596AC Do not enter into, or cause the company to enter into, transactions that avoid employee entitlements

Your Compliance Coverage

If you comply with Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), you already cover:

Australia Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth)

3%

2 controls mapped

Compare →

APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management

2%

1 controls mapped

Compare →

ISO 10002:2018

2%

1 controls mapped

Compare →

+ 3 more: APRA CPS 220 Risk Management (2%), AASB S2 Climate-related Disclosures (2%)

See all 6 mapped frameworks ↓

Maps to 6 other frameworks

60 total controls
Australia Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth)
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
ISO 10002:2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
APRA CPS 220 Risk Management
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
AASB S2 Climate-related Disclosures
1 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
2%
Australia Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
Compare Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) with Australia Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth)

Coverage is not the same as your position

This page shows what Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.

The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business days

What is Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and who does it apply to?

Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is a compliance framework from Australia: Commonwealth (all States and Territories by referral) with 8 domains and 60 controls. The core compliance duties of Australia's Corporations Act 2001, scoped: directors' and officers' duties (care and diligence, good faith, use of position and information, material personal interests, indemnities, insolvent trading and the safe harbour, employee entitlements), financial and sustainability reporting and audit, continuous disclosure, and the core financial services obligations of AFS licensees (licensing, efficiently honestly and fairly, breach reporting and remediation, FSG, SOA, best interests, conflicted remuneration, client money, hawking, design and distribution, PDS and product intervention). The rest of the Act is not built. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) actually require?

Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) has 60 controls organised across 8 domains. The largest domains are Chapter 2M: Financial and sustainability records, reports and lodgement – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (16 controls), Chapter 7 Parts 7.7, 7.7A and 7.8: Retail client disclosure, advice conduct, client money and records – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (9 controls), Part 2D.1 and related: Director and officer duties – Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (9 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) do I already cover?

Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) maps to 6 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Australia Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) (3% coverage), APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management (2% coverage), ISO 10002:2018 (2% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)?

Start your Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Australia Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 60 controls and track your progress.

Start Your Compliance Journey

Create a free account to run self-assessments, get AI advisory, and track your compliance progress across 868 frameworks.

Get Started Free →

Free forever — no credit card required