In March 2025, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) released Regulatory Guide 280 (RG 280), providing comprehensive instructions for companies preparing mandatory sustainability reports under the new climate-related financial disclosure laws. This guide outlines reporting thresholds based on company size and financial metrics, detailing requirements for disclosing climate-related risks, opportunities, and greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain. It also addresses the inclusion of sustainability-related financial information outside the primary report. ​

Acknowledging the novelty of these requirements, ASIC emphasizes a “pragmatic and proportionate” approach to supervision and enforcement during the initial implementation phase. The regulator plans to focus enforcement on serious or reckless misconduct and will engage directly with companies to rectify incomplete or misleading information. The guide also incorporates feedback from a prior draft, adding sections on climate scenario analysis, Scope 3 emissions disclosure, and specific guidance for company directors.

Photo source: RG 280 Sustainability reporting, issued 31 March 2025