Published 2026-02-25
Summary: Reports of misconduct in Australian firms rose in the second half of 2025, driven largely by corporate governance concerns, according to data released by the corporate watchdog. ASIC reported 9,686 ROMs (reports of misconduct) between 1 July and 31 December 2025, raising 13,036 issues.
What We Know
- ASIC data indicates an increase in reports of misconduct (ROMs) in the second half of 2025.
- The surge is described as being driven largely by corporate governance concerns.
- Between 1 July and 31 December 2025, ASIC received 9,686 ROMs, with 13,036 issues raised.
- Categories cited in context include corporate governance, insolvency matters, and shareholder issues as areas of concern.
- ASIC’s published materials note that corporate governance accounts for a substantial share of ROMs in the reported period.
What’s Still Unclear
- Whether the increase in ROMs pertains exclusively to H2 2025 or if similar trends occurred in other periods beyond what is stated.
- How the 9,686 ROMs are distributed across other categories beyond corporate governance, insolvency, and shareholder issues.
- The exact methodology ASIC uses to count “issues” separately from individual ROMs in the data.
- Regional or sector-specific breakdowns within the ROMs for the latter half of 2025 are not specified.
Context
General background: ASIC collects and publishes data on reports of misconduct across financial services, retail investors, and corporate governance. Such data help gauge governance soundness and the prevalence of governance-related concerns in the corporate sector.
Why It Matters
Understanding fluctuations in ROMs can inform policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders about governance risks and areas where oversight and compliance practices may need strengthening. A rise in ROMs tied to governance issues could signal heightened scrutiny and potential reforms or enforcement actions.
What to Watch Next
- Follow-up ASIC releases or official summaries detailing ROM category breakdowns for late-2025 and any trends into 2026.
- Any policy or regulatory responses prompted by the ROM surge in corporate governance-related matters.
- Subsequent analyses comparing ROM trends across categories such as governance, insolvency, and shareholder issues.
FAQ
Q: What is driving the rise in ROMs in H2 2025?
A: The available information attributes the rise largely to corporate governance concerns, as reported by ASIC.
Q: How many ROMs were recorded in the period studied?
A: ASIC reported 9,686 ROMs between 1 July and 31 December 2025, raising 13,036 issues.
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Source Transparency
- This article is based on a short preliminary brief and may not reflect the full details available in ongoing reporting.
- Source links are provided in the Sources section where available.
- A limited open-web check was used to clarify key details when possible; unclear items remain clearly marked.
Original brief: Reports of misconduct at Australian firms surged in the second half of last year, driven largely by corporate governance concerns, the nation’s corporate watchdog said…
Sources
- Misconduct reports to ASIC highlight spike in corporate governance …
- Corporate Misconduct Reports Rise in Australia Amid … – Binance
- Reports of misconduct data – ASIC
- ASIC slammed over only investigating 1% of alleged corporate misconduct …
- Corporate misconduct and regulation in Australia