Corporations Act 2001
No. 50, 2001
Compilation No. 105
Compilation date: 1 July 2021
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 72, 2021
Registered: 26 July 2021
This compilation is in 7 volumes
Volume 1: sections 1–260E
Volume 2: sections 283AA–600K
Volume 3: sections 601–742
Volume 4: sections 760A–994Q
Volume 5: sections 1010A–1369A
Volume 6: sections 1370–1682
Schedules
Volume 7: Endnotes
Each volume has its own contents
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Corporations Act 2001 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 July 2021 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Chapter 2L—Debentures
Part 2L.1—Requirement for trust deed and trustee
283AA Requirement for trust deed and trustee
283AB Trust deed
283AC Who can be a trustee
283AD Existing trustee continues to act until new trustee takes office
283AE Replacement of trustee
Part 2L.2—Duties of borrower
283BA Duties of borrower
283BB General duties
283BC Duty to notify ASIC of information related to trustee
283BCA Register relating to trustees for debenture holders
283BD Duty to replace trustee
283BE Duty to inform trustee about security interests
283BF Duty to give trustee and ASIC quarterly reports
283BG Exceptions to borrower’s duty to report to trustee and ASIC
283BH How debentures may be described
283BI Offences for failure to comply with statutory duties
Part 2L.3—Duties of guarantor
283CA Duties of guarantor
283CB General duties
283CC Duty to inform trustee about security interests
283CD Exceptions to guarantor’s duty to inform trustee
283CE Offences for failure to comply with statutory duties
Part 2L.4—Trustee
283DA Trustee’s duties
283DB Exemptions and indemnifications of trustee from liability
283DC Indemnity
Part 2L.5—Meetings of debenture holders
283EA Borrower’s duty to call meeting
283EB Trustee’s power to call meeting
283EC Court may order meeting
Part 2L.6—Civil liability
283F Civil liability for contravening this Chapter
Part 2L.7—ASIC powers
283GA ASIC’s power to exempt and modify
283GB ASIC may approve body corporate to be trustee
Part 2L.8—Court
283HA General Court power to give directions and determine questions
283HB Specific Court powers
Part 2L.9—Location of other debenture provisions
283I Signpost to other debenture provisions
Chapter 2M—Financial reports and audit
Part 2M.1—Overview
285 Overview of obligations under this Chapter
285A Overview of obligations of companies limited by guarantee
Part 2M.2—Financial records
286 Obligation to keep financial records
287 Language requirements
288 Physical format
289 Place where records are kept
290 Director access
291 Signposts to other relevant provisions
Part 2M.3—Financial reporting
Division 1—Annual financial reports and directors’ reports
292 Who has to prepare annual financial reports and directors’ reports
293 Small proprietary company—shareholder direction
294 Small proprietary company—ASIC direction
294A Small company limited by guarantee—member direction
294B Small company limited by guarantee—ASIC direction
295 Contents of annual financial report
295A Declaration in relation to listed entity’s financial statements by chief executive officer and chief financial officer
296 Compliance with accounting standards and regulations
297 True and fair view
298 Annual directors’ report
299 Annual directors’ report—general information
299A Annual directors’ report—additional general requirements for listed entities
300 Annual directors’ report—specific information
300A Annual directors’ report—specific information to be provided by listed companies
300B Annual directors’ report—companies limited by guarantee
301 Audit of annual financial report
Division 2—Half‑year financial report and directors’ report
302 Disclosing entity must prepare half‑year financial report and directors’ report
303 Contents of half‑year financial report
304 Compliance with accounting standards and regulations
305 True and fair view
306 Half‑year directors’ report
Division 3—Audit and auditor’s report
307 Audit
307A Audit to be conducted in accordance with auditing standards
307B Audit working papers to be retained for 7 years
307C Auditor’s independence declaration
308 Auditor’s report on annual financial report
309 Auditor’s report on half‑year financial report
310 Auditor’s power to obtain information
311 Reporting to ASIC
312 Assisting auditor
313 Special provisions on audit of debenture issuers and guarantors
Division 4—Annual financial reporting to members
314 Annual financial reporting by companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities to members
314A Annual financial reporting by notified foreign passport funds to Australian members
315 Deadline for reporting to members
316 Choices for members of companies, registered schemes or disclosing entities
316AA Choices for Australian members of notified foreign passport funds
316A Annual financial reporting to members of companies limited by guarantee
317 Consideration of reports at AGM
318 Additional reporting by debenture issuers
Division 5—Lodging reports with ASIC
319 Lodgment of annual reports with ASIC
320 Lodgment of half‑year reports with ASIC
321 ASIC power to require lodgment
322 Relodgment if financial statements or directors’ reports amended after lodgment
Division 6—Special provisions about consolidated financial statements
323 Directors and officers of controlled entity to give information
323A Auditor’s power to obtain information from controlled entity
323B Controlled entity to assist auditor
323C Application of Division to entity that has ceased to be controlled
Division 7—Financial years and half‑years
323D Financial years and half‑years for companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
323DAA Financial years for notified foreign passport funds
Division 8—Disclosure by listed companies of information filed overseas
323DA Listed companies to disclose information filed overseas
Part 2M.4—Appointment and removal of auditors
Division 1—Entities that may be appointed as an auditor for a company or registered scheme
324AA Individual auditors, audit firms and authorised audit companies
324AB Effect of appointing firm as auditor—general
324AC Effect of appointing firm as auditor—reconstitution of firm
324AD Effect of appointing company as auditor
324AE Professional members of the audit team
324AF Lead and review auditors
Division 2—Registration requirements
324BA Registration requirements for appointment of individual as auditor
324BB Registration requirements for appointment of firm as auditor
324BC Registration requirements for appointment of company as auditor
324BD Exception from registration requirement for proprietary company
324BE Exception from registration requirement—reviewing financial reports of companies limited by guarantee
Division 3—Auditor independence
Subdivision A—General requirement
324CA General requirement for auditor independence—auditors
324CB General requirement for auditor independence—member of audit firm
324CC General requirement for auditor independence—director of audit company
324CD Conflict of interest situation
Subdivision B—Specific requirements
324CE Auditor independence—specific requirements for individual auditor
324CF Auditor independence—specific requirements for audit firm
324CG Auditor independence—specific requirements for audit company
324CH Relevant relationships
324CI Special rule for retiring partners of audit firms and retiring directors of authorised audit companies
324CJ Special rule for retiring professional member of audit company
324CK Multiple former audit firm partners or audit company directors
Subdivision C—Common provisions
324CL People who are regarded as officers of a company for the purposes of this Division
Division 4—Deliberately disqualifying auditor
324CM Deliberately disqualifying auditor
Division 5—Auditor rotation for listed companies
324DA Limited term for eligibility to play significant role in audit of a listed company or listed registered scheme
324DAA Directors may extend eligibility term
324DAB Requirements for directors to approve extension of eligibility term
324DAC Notifications about approval to extend eligibility term
324DAD Approval ineffective unless it complies with requirements
324DB Individual’s rotation obligation
324DC Audit firm’s rotation obligation
324DD Audit company’s rotation obligation
Division 6—Appointment, removal and fees of auditors for companies
Subdivision A—Appointment of company auditors
325 Appointment of auditor by proprietary company
327A Public company auditor (initial appointment of auditor)
327B Public company auditor (annual appointments at AGMs to fill vacancies)
327C Public company auditor (appointment to fill casual vacancy)
327D Appointment to replace auditor removed from office
327E ASIC may appoint a company auditor if auditor removed but not replaced
327F ASIC’s general power to appoint a company auditor
327G Restrictions on ASIC’s powers to appoint a company auditor
327H Effect on appointment of public company auditor of company beginning to be controlled by a corporation
327I Remaining auditors may act during vacancy
328A Auditor’s consent to appointment
328B Nomination of auditor
328C Public company auditor (appointment of auditor when crowd‑sourced funding concession ends)
328D Public company auditor (appointment of auditor when $3 million raised using crowd‑sourced funding)
328E Crowd‑sourced funding—period of office
Subdivision B—Removal and resignation of company auditors
329 Removal and resignation of auditors
330 Effect of winding up on office of auditor
Subdivision C—Company auditors’ fees and expenses
331 Fees and expenses of auditors
Division 7—Appointment, removal and fees of auditors for registered schemes
Subdivision A—Appointment of registered scheme auditors
331AAA Registered scheme auditor (initial appointment of auditor)
331AAB Registered scheme auditor (appointment to fill vacancy)
331AAC ASIC’s power to appoint registered scheme auditor
331AAD Remaining auditors may act during vacancy
Subdivision B—Removal and resignation of registered scheme auditors
331AC Removal and resignation of auditors
331AD Effect of winding up on office of auditor
Subdivision C—Fees and expenses of auditors
331AE Fees and expenses of auditors
Part 2M.4A—Annual transparency reports for auditors
332 Meaning of transparency reporting auditor and transparency reporting year
332A Transparency reporting auditors must publish annual transparency reports
332B Content of annual transparency report
332C Extension of period for publication of annual transparency report
332D Exemption orders—applications by transparency reporting auditors
332E Exemption orders—class orders for transparency reporting auditors
332F Exemption orders—criteria for orders
332G Offences by members of audit firm
Part 2M.5—Accounting and auditing standards
334 Accounting standards
335 Equity accounting
336 Auditing standards
337 Interpretation of accounting and auditing standards
338 Evidence of text of accounting standard or auditing standard
Part 2M.6—Exemptions and modifications
340 Exemption orders—companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
340A Exemption orders—notified foreign passport funds
341 Exemption orders—class orders for companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
341A Exemption orders—class orders for notified foreign passport funds
342 Exemption orders—criteria for orders for companies, registered schemes, notified foreign passport funds and disclosing entities
342AA Exemption orders—non‑auditor members and former members of audit firms; former employees of audit companies
342AB Exemption orders—class orders for non‑auditor members etc.
342AC Exemption orders—criteria for orders for non‑auditor members etc.
342A ASIC’s power to modify the operation of section 324DA
342B Auditor to notify company or registered scheme of section 342A declaration
343 Modification by regulations
343A Minister may apply the Chapter to notified foreign passport funds
Part 2M.7—Sanctions for contraventions of Chapter
344 Contravention of Part 2M.2 or 2M.3, or of certain provisions of Part 2M.4
Chapter 2N—Updating ASIC information about companies, registered schemes and notified foreign passport funds
Part 2N.1—Review date
345A Review date
345B Company, responsible entity or operator may change review date
345C When choice has effect
Part 2N.2—Extract of particulars
346A ASIC must give an extract of particulars each year
346B ASIC may ask questions
346C Requirements in relation to an extract of particulars
Part 2N.3—Solvency resolution
347A Directors must pass a solvency resolution after each review date
347B Notice to ASIC
347C Payment of review fee is taken to be a representation by the directors that the company is solvent
Part 2N.4—Return of particulars
348A ASIC may give a return of particulars
348B ASIC may ask questions
348C ASIC may require a solvency resolution and statement
348D General requirements in relation to a return of particulars
Part 2N.5—Notice by proprietary companies of changes to ultimate holding company
349A Proprietary companies must notify ASIC of changes to ultimate holding company
349B Another company becomes an ultimate holding company
349C A company ceases to be an ultimate holding company
349D Ultimate holding company changes its name
Chapter 2P—Lodgments with ASIC
350 Forms for documents to be lodged with ASIC
351 Signing documents lodged with ASIC
352 Documents lodged with ASIC electronically
353 Electronic lodgment of certain documents
354 Telephone notice of certain changes
Chapter 5—External administration
Part 5.1—Arrangements and reconstructions
410 Interpretation
411 Administration of compromises etc.
412 Information as to compromise with creditors
413 Provisions for facilitating reconstruction and amalgamation of Part 5.1 bodies
414 Acquisition of shares of shareholders dissenting from scheme or contract approved by majority
415 Notification of appointment of scheme manager and power of Court to require report
415A Outcome of voting at creditors’ meeting determined by related entity—Court powers
415B Interim order on application under section 415A
415C Order under section 415A does not affect act already done pursuant to resolution
415D Stay on enforcing rights merely because of a proceeding under this Part etc.
415E Lifting the stay
415F Order for rights to be enforceable only with leave of the Court
415FA Self‑executing provisions
415G When other laws prevail—certain other Commonwealth Acts
Part 5.2—Receivers, and other controllers, of property of corporations
416 Definitions
417 Application of Part
418 Persons not to act as receivers
418A Court may declare whether controller is validly acting
419 Liability of controller
419A Liability of controller under pre‑existing agreement about property used by corporation
420 Powers of receiver
420A Controller’s duty of care in exercising power of sale
420B Court may authorise managing controller to dispose of property despite prior security interest
420C Receiver’s power to carry on corporation’s business during winding up
421 Managing controller’s duties in relation to bank accounts and financial records
421A Managing controller to report within 2 months about corporation’s affairs
422 Reports by receiver or managing controller
422A Annual return by controller
422B End of control return
422C Transfer of books to new controller
422D Transfer of books to ASIC etc.
423 Supervision of controller
424 Controller may apply to Court
425 Court’s power to fix receiver’s remuneration
426 Controller has qualified privilege in certain cases
427 Notification of matters relating to controller
428 Statement that receiver appointed or other controller acting
429 Officers to report to controller about corporation’s affairs
429A Special rules for scheme property
430 Controller may require reports
431 Controller may inspect books
432 Auditing returns by controllers
433 Property subject to circulating security interest—payment of certain debts to have priority
434 Enforcing controller’s duty to make returns
434A Court may remove controller for misconduct
434B Court may remove redundant controller
434C Effect of sections 434A and 434B
434D Appointment of 2 or more receivers of property of a corporation
434E Appointment of 2 or more receivers and managers of property of a corporation
434F Appointment of 2 or more controllers of property of a corporation
434G Appointment of 2 or more managing controllers of property of a corporation
434H Regulations may provide for reporting to ASIC
434J Stay on enforcing rights merely because of the appointment of a managing controller of a corporation’s property etc.
434K Lifting the stay
434L Order for rights to be enforceable only with leave of the Court
434LA Self‑executing provisions
434M When other laws prevail—certain other Commonwealth Acts
Part 5.3A—Administration of a company’s affairs with a view to executing a deed of company arrangement
Division 1—Preliminary
435A Object of Part
435B Definitions
435C When administration begins and ends
Division 2—Appointment of administrator and first meeting of creditors
436A Company may appoint administrator if board thinks it is or will become insolvent
436B Liquidator may appoint administrator
436C Secured party may appoint administrator
436D Company already under administration
436DA Declarations by administrator—indemnities and relevant relationships
436E Purpose and timing of first meeting of creditors
Division 3—Administrator assumes control of company’s affairs
437A Role of administrator
437B Administrator acts as company’s agent
437D Only administrator can deal with company’s property
437E Order for compensation where officer involved in void transaction
437F Effect of administration on company’s members
Division 4—Administrator investigates company’s affairs
438A Administrator to investigate affairs and consider possible courses of action
438B Directors to help administrator
438C Administrator’s rights to company’s books
438D Reports by administrator
Division 5—Meeting of creditors decides company’s future
439A Administrator to convene meeting and inform creditors
439C What creditors may decide
Division 6—Protection of company’s property during administration
440A Winding up company
440B Restrictions on exercise of third party property rights
440D Stay of proceedings
440E Administrator not liable in damages for refusing consent
440F Suspension of enforcement process
440G Duties of court officer in relation to property of company
440H Lis pendens taken to exist
440J Administration not to trigger liability of director or relative under guarantee of company’s liability
440JA Property subject to a banker’s lien—exemption from this Division
Division 7—Rights of secured party, owner or lessor
Subdivision A—General
441 Application of Division
Subdivision B—Property subject to security interests
441AA Application of Subdivision—PPSA security interests
441A Secured party acts before or during decision period
441B Where enforcement of security interest begins before administration
441C Security interest in perishable property
441D Court may limit powers of secured party etc. in relation to secured property
441E Giving a notice under a security agreement etc.
441EA Sale of property subject to a possessory security interest
Subdivision C—Property not subject to security interests
441EB Scope of Subdivision
441F Where recovery of property begins before administration
441G Recovering perishable property
441H Court may limit powers of receiver etc. in relation to property used by company
441J Giving a notice under an agreement about property
Division 8—Powers of administrator
442A Additional powers of administrator
442B Dealing with property subject to circulating security interests
442C When administrator may dispose of encumbered property
442CA Property subject to a possessory security interest—inspection or examination by potential purchasers etc.
442CB Property subject to a security interest or to a retention of title clause—administrator’s duty of care in exercising power of sale
442CC Proceeds of sale of property
442D Administrator’s powers subject to powers of secured party, receiver or controller
442E Administrator has qualified privilege
442F Protection of persons dealing with administrator
Division 9—Administrator’s liability and indemnity for debts of administration
Subdivision A—Liability
443A General debts
443B Payments for property used or occupied by, or in the possession of, the company
443BA Certain taxation liabilities
443C Administrator not otherwise liable for company’s debts
Subdivision B—Indemnity
443D Right of indemnity
443E Right of indemnity has priority over other debts
443F Lien to secure indemnity
Division 10—Execution and effect of deed of company arrangement
444A Effect of creditors’ resolution
444B Execution of deed
444C Creditor etc. not to act inconsistently with deed before its execution
444D Effect of deed on creditors
444DA Giving priority to eligible employee creditors
444DB Superannuation contribution debts not admissible to proof
444E Protection of company’s property from persons bound by deed
444F Court may limit rights of secured creditor or owner or lessor
444G Effect of deed on company, officers and members
444GA Transfer of shares
444H Extent of release of company’s debts
444J Guarantees and indemnities
Division 11—Variation, termination and avoidance of deed
445A Variation of deed by creditors
445B Court may cancel variation
445C When deed terminates
445CA When creditors may terminate deed
445D When Court may terminate deed
445E Creditors may terminate deed and resolve that company be wound up
445FA Notice of termination of deed
445G When Court may void or validate deed
445H Effect of termination or avoidance
Division 11AA—Notification of contravention of deed
445HA Notification of contravention of deed of company arrangement
Division 12—Transition to creditors’ voluntary winding up
446A Administrator becomes liquidator in certain cases
446AA Administrator becomes liquidator—additional cases
446B Regulations may provide for transition in other cases
446C Liquidator may require submission of a report about the company’s affairs
Division 13—Powers of Court
447A General power to make orders
447B Orders to protect creditors during administration
447C Court may declare whether administrator validly appointed
447F Effect of Division
Division 14—Qualifications of administrators
448A Appointee must consent
448B Administrator must be registered liquidator
448C Disqualification of person connected with company
Division 15—Removal and replacement of administrator
449A Appointment of administrator cannot be revoked
449C Vacancy in office of administrator of company
449CA Declarations by administrator—indemnities and relevant relationships
Division 16—Notices about steps taken under Part
450A Appointment of administrator
450B Execution of deed of company arrangement
450C Failure to execute deed of company arrangement
450D Termination of deed of company arrangement
450E Notice in public documents etc. of company
450F Effect of contravention of this Division
Division 17—Miscellaneous
451A Appointment of 2 or more administrators of company
451B Appointment of 2 or more administrators of deed of company arrangement
451C Effect of things done during administration of company
451D Time for doing act does not run while act prevented by this Part
451E Stay on enforcing rights merely because the company is under administration etc.
451F Lifting the stay
451G Order for rights to be enforceable only with leave of the Court
451GA Self‑executing provisions
451H When other laws prevail—certain other Commonwealth Acts
Part 5.3B—Restructuring of a company
Division 1—Preliminary
452A Object of this Part
452B Definitions
Division 2—Restructuring
Subdivision A—When restructuring begins and ends
453A When restructuring begins and ends
Subdivision B—Appointment of restructuring practitioner
453B Appointing a restructuring practitioner
453C Eligibility criteria for restructuring
453D Declaration by restructuring practitioner—relevant relationships
Subdivision C—Role of the restructuring practitioner during restructuring
453E Functions, duties and powers of the restructuring practitioner
453F Directors to help restructuring practitioner
453G Restructuring practitioner’s right to inspect books held by other persons
453H Restructuring practitioner acts as company’s agent
453J Restructuring practitioner may terminate restructuring
Subdivision D—Conduct of company during restructuring
453K Control of company under restructuring
453L Conducting the business of the company during restructuring
453M Order for compensation where director involved in void transaction
453N Effect of things done during restructuring of company
453P Effect of restructuring on company’s members
Subdivision E—Effect on company etc. during restructuring
453Q Winding up company
453R Restrictions on exercise of third party property rights
453S Stay of proceedings
453T Suspension of enforcement process
453U Duties of court officer in relation to property of company
453V Lis pendens taken to exist
453W Restructuring not to trigger liability of director or relative under guarantee of company’s liability
453X Property subject to a banker’s lien—exemption from this Subdivision
Subdivision F—Rights of secured party, owner or lessor during restructuring
454A Application of Subdivision
454B Application of sections 454C to 454H—PPSA security interests
454C Secured party acts before or during decision period
454D Where enforcement of security interest begins before restructuring
454E Security interest in perishable property
454F Court may limit powers of secured party etc. in relation to secured property
454G Giving a notice under a security agreement etc.
454H Sale of property subject to a possessory security interest
454J Scope of sections 454K to 454M
454K Where recovery of property begins before restructuring
454L Recovering perishable property
454M Court may limit powers of receiver etc. in relation to property used by company
Subdivision G—Enforcement rights triggered by restructuring
454N Stay on enforcing rights merely because the company is under restructuring etc.
454P Lifting the stay on enforcing rights
454Q Order for rights to be enforceable only with leave of the Court
454R Self‑executing provisions
454S When other laws prevail—certain other Commonwealth Acts
Division 3—Restructuring plan
455A Proposing a restructuring plan
455B Restructuring plan
Division 4—The restructuring practitioner
Subdivision A—Qualifications of restructuring practitioners
456A Appointee must consent
456B Restructuring practitioner must be registered liquidator
456C Disqualification of person connected with company
Subdivision B—Removal and replacement of restructuring practitioner
456D Appointment of restructuring practitioner cannot be revoked
456E Vacancy in office of restructuring practitioner for company
456F Declarations by replacement restructuring practitioner—relevant relationships
Subdivision C—Rights, obligations and liabilities in relation to the restructuring practitioner
456G Rights, obligations and liabilities of a company and its officers in relation to the restructuring practitioner
456H No liability for consent etc.
456J Right of indemnity
456K Right of indemnity has priority over other debts
456L Lien to secure indemnity
Subdivision D—Appointment of 2 or more restructuring practitioners
456M Appointment of 2 or more restructuring practitioners of company
456N Appointment of 2 or more restructuring practitioners of restructuring plan
Division 5—Information, reports, documents etc.
457A Regulations may deal with information etc.
457B Notice in public documents of company
457C Effect of contravention of this Division
Division 6—Powers of Court
458A General power to make orders
458B Other powers of the Court
Division 7—Other matters
458C Time for doing act does not run while act prevented by this Part
458D Meaning of restructuring relief period
458E When is a company eligible for temporary restructuring relief?
458F Directors declare company not eligible for temporary restructuring relief
458G Court order that company not eligible for temporary restructuring relief
458H Obligation on registered liquidator to report
Part 5.4—Winding up in insolvency
Division 1—When company to be wound up in insolvency
459A Order that insolvent company be wound up in insolvency
459B Order made on application under section 234, 462 or 464
459C Presumptions to be made in certain proceedings
459D Contingent or prospective liability relevant to whether company solvent
Division 2—Statutory demand
459E Creditor may serve statutory demand on company
459F When company taken to fail to comply with statutory demand
Division 3—Application to set aside statutory demand
459G Company may apply
459H Determination of application where there is a dispute or offsetting claim
459J Setting aside demand on other grounds
459K Effect of order setting aside demand
459L Dismissal of application
459M Order subject to conditions
459N Costs where company successful
Division 4—Application for order to wind up company in insolvency
459P Who may apply for order under section 459A
459Q Application relying on failure to comply with statutory demand
459R Period within which application must be determined
459S Company may not oppose application on certain grounds
459T Application to wind up joint debtors in insolvency
Part 5.4A—Winding up by the Court on other grounds
461 General grounds on which company may be wound up by Court
462 Standing to apply for winding up
464 Application for winding up in connection with investigation under ASIC Act
Part 5.4B—Winding up in insolvency or by the Court
Division 1A—Preliminary
465 Definitions
Division 1—General
465A Notice of application
465B Substitution of applicants
465C Applicant to be given notice of grounds for opposing application
466 Payment of preliminary costs etc.
467 Court’s powers on hearing application
467A Effect of defect or irregularity on application under Part 5.4 or 5.4A
467B Court may order winding up of company that is being wound up voluntarily
468 Avoidance of dispositions of property, attachments etc.
468A Effect of winding up on company’s members
469 Application to be lis pendens
470 Certain notices to be lodged
Division 1A—Effect of winding up order
471 Effect on creditors and contributories
471B Stay of proceedings and suspension of enforcement process
471C Secured creditor’s rights not affected
Division 2—Court‑appointed liquidators
472 Court to appoint registered liquidator
473 Resignation of liquidators
473A Vacancies in office of court‑appointed liquidator
474 Custody and vesting of company’s property
475 Report as to company’s affairs to be submitted to liquidator
477 Powers of liquidator
478 Application of property; list of contributories
480 Release of liquidator and deregistration of company
481 Orders for release or deregistration
Division 3—General powers of Court
Subdivision A—General powers
482 Power to stay or terminate winding up
483 Delivery of property to liquidator
484 Appointment of special manager
485 Claims of creditors and distribution of property
486 Inspection of books by creditors and contributories
486A Court may make order to prevent officer or related entity from avoiding liability to company
486B Warrant to arrest person who is absconding, or who has dealt with property or books, in order to avoid obligations in connection with winding up
487 Power to arrest absconding contributory
488 Delegation to liquidator of certain powers of Court
489 Powers of Court cumulative
Subdivision B—Procedures relating to section 486B warrants
489A Arrest of person subject to warrant
489B Procedure after arrest
489C Procedure on remand on bail
489D Court’s power to make orders under other provisions
489E Jurisdiction under this Subdivision
Part 5.4C—Winding up by ASIC
489EA ASIC may order the winding up of a company
489EB Deemed resolution that company be wound up voluntarily
489EC Appointment of liquidator
Part 5.5—Voluntary winding up
Division 1A—Preliminary
489F Definitions
Division 1—Resolution for winding up
490 When company cannot wind up voluntarily
491 Circumstances in which company may be wound up voluntarily
493 Effect of voluntary winding up
493A Effect of voluntary winding up on company’s members
494 Declaration of solvency
Division 2—Members’ voluntary winding up
495 Appointment of liquidator etc.
496 Duty of liquidator where company turns out to be insolvent
Division 3—Creditors’ voluntary winding up
Subdivision A—Liquidation process
497 Information about the company’s affairs
498 Declaration that company eligible for the simplified liquidation process
499 Liquidators
500 Execution and civil proceedings
Subdivision B—Simplified liquidation process for creditors’ voluntary winding up of an insolvent company
500A Liquidator may adopt the simplified liquidation process
500AA Eligibility criteria for the simplified liquidation process
500AB Creditors may request liquidator not to follow the simplified liquidation process
500AC Liquidator must cease to follow the simplified liquidation process
500AD Working out whether the 25% in value of creditors test met
500AE Simplified liquidation process
Division 4—Voluntary winding up generally
501 Distribution of property of company
506 Powers and duties of liquidator
506A Declarations by liquidator—relevant relationships and indemnities
507 Power of liquidator to accept shares etc. as consideration for sale of property of company
509 Deregistration
510 Arrangement: when binding on creditors
Part 5.6—Winding up generally
Division 1—Preliminary
513 Application of Part
513AA Definitions
Division 1A—When winding up taken to begin
513A Winding up ordered by the Court
513B Voluntary winding up
513C Section 513C day in relation to an administration under Part 5.3A
513CA Section 513CA day in relation to a restructuring under Part 5.3B
513D Validity of proceedings in earlier winding up
Division 2—Contributories
514 Where Division applies
515 General liability of contributory
516 Company limited by shares
517 Company limited by guarantee
518 Company limited both by shares and by guarantee
519 Exceptions for former unlimited company
520 Past member: later debts
521 Person ceasing to be a member a year or more before winding up
522 Present members to contribute first
523 Past member of former unlimited company
524 Past member of former limited company
526 Liability on certain contracts
527 Nature of contributory’s liability
528 Death of contributory
529 Bankruptcy of contributory
Division 3—Liquidators
530 Appointment of 2 or more liquidators of a company
530AA Appointment of 2 or more provisional liquidators of a company
530A Officers to help liquidator
530B Liquidator’s rights to company’s books
530C Warrant to search for, and seize, company’s property or books
532 Disqualification of liquidator
533 Reports by liquidator
534 Prosecution by liquidator of delinquent officers and members
535 When liquidator has qualified privilege
537 Notice of appointment and address of liquidator
Division 4—General
541 Notification that company is in liquidation
543 Investment of surplus funds on general account
544 Unclaimed money to be paid to ASIC
545 Expenses of winding up where property insufficient
Division 6—Proof and ranking of claims
Subdivision A—Admission to proof of debts and claims
553 Debts or claims that are provable in winding up
553A Member cannot prove debt unless contributions paid
553AA Selling shareholder cannot prove debt unless documents given
553AB Superannuation contribution debts not admissible to proof
553B Insolvent companies—penalties and fines not generally provable
553C Insolvent companies—mutual credit and set‑off
553D Debts or claims may be proved formally or informally
553E Application of Bankruptcy Act to winding up of insolvent company
Subdivision B—Computation of debts and claims
554 General rule—compute amount as at relevant date
554A Determination of value of debts and claims of uncertain value
554B Discounting of debts payable after relevant date
554C Conversion into Australian currency of foreign currency debts or claims
Subdivision C—Special provisions relating to secured creditors of insolvent companies
554D Application of Subdivision
554E Proof of debt by secured creditor
554F Redemption of security interest by liquidator
554G Amendment of valuation
554H Repayment of excess
554J Subsequent realisation of security interest
Subdivision D—Priorities
555 Debts and claims proved to rank equally except as otherwise provided
556 Priority payments
558 Debts due to employees
559 Debts of a class to rank equally
560 Advances for company to make priority payments in relation to employees
561 Priority of employees’ claims over circulating security interests
562 Application of proceeds of contracts of insurance
562A Application of proceeds of contracts of reinsurance
563 Provisions relating to injury compensation
563AA Seller under a buy‑back agreement
563A Postponing subordinate claims
563AAA Redemption of debentures
Subdivision E—Miscellaneous
563B Interest on debts and claims from relevant date to date of payment
563C Debt subordination
564 Power of Court to make orders in favour of certain creditors
Division 7—Effect on certain transactions
565 Undue preference
566 Effect of floating charge
567 Liquidator’s right to recover in respect of certain transactions
Division 7A—Disclaimer of onerous property
568 Disclaimer by liquidator; application to Court by party to contract
568A Liquidator must give notice of disclaimer
568B Application to set aside disclaimer before it takes effect
568C When disclaimer takes effect
568D Effect of disclaimer
568E Application to set aside disclaimer after it has taken effect
568F Court may dispose of disclaimed property
Division 7B—Effect on enforcement process against company’s property
569 Executions, attachments etc. before winding up
570 Duties of sheriff after receiving notice of application
Division 8—Pooling
Subdivision A—Pooling determinations
571 Pooling determination
572 Variation of pooling determination
573 Lodgment of copy of pooling determination etc.
577 Eligible unsecured creditors may decide to approve the determination or variation
578 When pooling determination comes into force etc.
579 Duties of liquidator
579A Court may vary or terminate pooling determination
579B Court may cancel or confirm variation
579C When Court may void or validate pooling determination
579D Effect of termination or avoidance
Subdivision B—Pooling orders
579E Pooling orders
579F Variation of pooling orders
579G Court may make ancillary orders etc.
579H Variation of ancillary orders etc.
579J Notice of application for pooling order etc.
579K Notice of pooling order etc.
579L Consolidated meetings of creditors
Subdivision C—Other provisions
579M When debts or claims are provable in winding up
579N Group of companies
579P Secured debt may become unsecured
579Q Eligible unsecured creditor
Division 9—Co‑operation between Australian and foreign courts in external administration matters
580 Definitions
581 Courts to act in aid of each other
Part 5.7—Winding up bodies other than companies
582 Application of Part
583 Winding up Part 5.7 bodies
585 Insolvency of Part 5.7 body
586 Contributories in winding up of Part 5.7 body
587 Power of Court to stay or restrain proceedings
588 Outstanding property of defunct registrable body
Part 5.7B—Recovering property or compensation for the benefit of creditors of insolvent company
Division 1—Preliminary
588C Definitions
588D Secured debt may become unsecured
588E Presumptions to be made in recovery proceedings
588F Certain taxation liabilities taken to be debts
Division 2—Voidable transactions
Subdivision A—Kinds of transactions that may be voidable
588FA Unfair preferences
588FB Uncommercial transactions
588FC Insolvent transactions
588FD Unfair loans to a company
588FDA Unreasonable director‑related transactions
588FDB Creditor‑defeating disposition
Subdivision B—Voidable transactions
588FE Voidable transactions
Subdivision C—Court orders about voidable transactions
588FF Courts may make orders about voidable transactions
588FG Transaction not voidable as against certain persons
Subdivision D—ASIC orders about certain voidable transactions
588FGAA ASIC may order undoing of effect of creditor‑defeating dispositions by company being wound up
588FGAB Content and copies of orders
588FGAC Compliance with orders generally
588FGAD Compliance with orders for payment
588FGAE Court may set aside order by ASIC
Subdivision E—Various rules about voidable transactions
588FGA Directors to indemnify Commissioner of Taxation if certain payments set aside
588FGB Defences in proceedings under section 588FGA
588FH Liquidator may recover from related entity benefit resulting from insolvent transaction
588FI Creditor who gives up benefit of unfair preference may prove for preferred debt
588FJ Circulating security interest created within 6 months before relation‑back day
Division 2A—Vesting of PPSA security interests if not continuously perfected
588FK Interpretation and application
588FL Vesting of PPSA security interests if collateral not registered within time
588FM Extension of time for registration
588FN PPSA security interests unaffected by section 588FL
588FO Certain lessors, bailors and consignors entitled to damages
Division 2B—Security interests in favour of company officers etc.
588FP Security interests in favour of an officer of a company etc. void
Division 3—Duties to prevent insolvent trading and creditor‑defeating dispositions
Subdivision A—Director’s duty to prevent insolvent trading
588G Director’s duty to prevent insolvent trading by company
Subdivision B—Duties to prevent creditor‑defeating dispositions
588GAA Object of this Subdivision
588GAB Officer’s duty to prevent creditor‑defeating disposition
588GAC Procuring creditor‑defeating disposition
Subdivision C—Safe harbour from breach of duties
588GA Safe harbour—taking course of action reasonably likely to lead to a better outcome for the company
588GAAA Safe harbour—temporary relief in response to the coronavirus
588GAAB Safe harbour—companies under restructuring
588GAAC Safe harbour—temporary relief for companies looking for a restructuring practitioner
588GB Information or books not admissible to support the safe harbour if failure to permit inspection etc.
588H Defences about reasonable grounds, illness or reasonable steps
588HA Review relating to safe harbour
Division 4—Director liable to compensate company
Subdivision A—Proceedings against director
588J On application for civil penalty order, Court may order compensation
588K Criminal court may order compensation
588L Enforcement of order under section 588J or 588K
588M Recovery of compensation for loss resulting from insolvent trading
588N Avoiding double recovery
588P Effect of sections 588J, 588K and 588M
588Q Certificates evidencing contravention
Subdivision B—Proceedings by creditor
588R Creditor may sue for compensation with liquidator’s consent
588S Creditor may give liquidator notice of intention to sue for compensation
588T When creditor may sue for compensation without liquidator’s consent
588U Events preventing creditor from suing
Division 5—Liability of holding company for insolvent trading by subsidiary
588V When holding company liable
588W Recovery of compensation for loss resulting from insolvent trading
588WA Safe harbour—taking reasonable steps to ensure company’s directors have the benefit of the directors’ safe harbour
588X Defences about reasonable grounds, illness or reasonable steps
Division 6—Application of compensation under Division 4 or 5
588Y Application of amount paid as compensation
Division 7—Person managing a corporation while disqualified may become liable for corporation’s debts
588Z Court may make order imposing liability
Division 8—Employee entitlements contribution orders
588ZA Employee entitlements contribution orders
588ZB Who may apply for an employee entitlements contribution order
Part 5.8—Offences
589 Interpretation and application
590 Offences by officers of certain companies
592 Incurring of certain debts; fraudulent conduct
593 Powers of Court
594 Certain rights not affected
595 Inducement to be appointed liquidator etc. of company
596 Frauds by officers
Part 5.8A—Employee entitlements
596AA Objects and coverage of this Part
596AB Relevant agreements or transactions that avoid employee entitlements—offences
596AC Relevant agreements or transactions that avoid employee entitlements—civil contraventions
596ACA Person who contravenes section 596AC liable to compensate for loss
596AD Avoiding double recovery
596AE Effect of section 596ACA
596AF Proceedings for compensation
596AG Events preventing proceedings
596AH Joining parties to proceedings
Part 5.9—Miscellaneous
Division 1—Examining a person about a corporation
596A Mandatory examination
596B Discretionary examination
596C Affidavit in support of application under section 596B
596D Content of summons
596E Notice of examination
596F Court may give directions about examination
597 Conduct of examination
597A When Court is to require affidavit about corporation’s examinable affairs
597B Costs of unnecessary examination or affidavit
Division 2—Orders against a person in relation to a corporation
598 Order against person concerned with corporation
Division 3—Provisions applying to various kinds of external administration
599 Appeals from decisions of receivers etc.
600AA Duty of receiver, administrator or liquidator—parental leave pay
600F Limitation on right of suppliers of essential services to insist on payment as condition of supply
600G Electronic communication of documents
600H Rights if claim against the company postponed
600J Acts of external administrator valid etc.
Division 4—Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations)
600K Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations)
Part 2L.1—Requirement for trust deed and trustee
283AA Requirement for trust deed and trustee
(1) Before a body:
(a) makes an offer of debentures in this jurisdiction that needs disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D, or does not need disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D because of subsection 708(14) (disclosure document exclusion for debenture roll overs) or section 708A (sale offers that do not need disclosure); or
(b) makes an offer of debentures in this jurisdiction or elsewhere as consideration for the acquisition of securities under an off‑market takeover bid; or
(c) issues debentures in this jurisdiction or elsewhere under a compromise or arrangement under Part 5.1 approved at a meeting held as a result of an order under subsection 411(1) or (1A);
regardless of where any resulting issue, sale or transfer occurs, the body must enter into a trust deed that complies with section 283AB and appoint a trustee that complies with section 283AC.
Note: For rules about when an offer of debentures will need disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D, see sections 706, 707, 708, 708AA and 708A.
(1A) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(2) The body may revoke the trust deed after it has repaid all amounts payable under the debentures in accordance with the debentures’ terms and the trust deed.
(3) The body must comply with this Chapter.
Note: Sections 168 and 601CZB require a register of debenture holders to be set up and kept.
(4) The regulations may exempt a specified offer of debentures, or a specified class of offers of debentures, from subsection (1).
(1) The trust deed must provide that the following are held in trust by the trustee for the benefit of the debenture holders:
(a) the right to enforce the borrower’s duty to repay;
(b) any charge or security for repayment;
(c) the right to enforce any other duties that the borrower and any guarantor have under:
(i) the terms of the debentures; or
(ii) the provisions of the trust deed or this Chapter.
Note: For information about the duties that the borrower and any guarantor body have under this Chapter, see sections 283BB to 283CE.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Who can be trustee
(1) The trustee must be:
(a) the Public Trustee of any State or Territory; or
(aa) a licensed trustee company; or
(b) a body corporate authorised by a law of any State or Territory to take in its own name a grant of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, of a deceased person; or
(c) a body corporate registered under section 21 of the Life Insurance Act 1995; or
(d) an Australian ADI; or
(e) a body corporate, all of whose shares are held beneficially by a body corporate or bodies corporate of the kind referred to in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) if that body or those bodies:
(i) are liable for all of the liabilities incurred, or to be incurred, by the trustee as trustee; or
(ii) have subscribed for and beneficially hold shares in the trustee and there is an uncalled liability of at least $500,000 in respect of those shares that can only be called up if the trustee becomes a Chapter 5 body corporate (see section 254N); or
(f) a body corporate approved by ASIC (see section 283GB).
Note: Section 283BD provides that if the borrower becomes aware that the trustee cannot be a trustee, the trustee must be replaced.
Circumstances in which a person cannot be trustee
(2) A person may only be appointed or act as trustee (except to the extent provided for by section 283AD) if the appointment or acting will not result in a conflict of interest or duty. This subsection is not intended to affect any rule of law or equity.
(3) An offence based on subsection (1) or (2) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
283AD Existing trustee continues to act until new trustee takes office
An existing trustee continues to act as the trustee until a new trustee is appointed and has taken office as trustee, despite any rule of law or equity to the contrary.
Note: This section applies even if the existing trustee resigns.
Related party of existing trustee may be appointed as a new trustee
(1) In addition to any other powers of appointment under the terms of the debentures or provisions of the trust deed, the borrower may appoint a body corporate that is related to the existing trustee as trustee in place of the existing trustee if:
(a) the body corporate can be a trustee under section 283AC; and
(b) the existing trustee consents in writing to the appointment.
The appointment has effect despite any terms of the debentures or provisions of the trust deed.
Appointment by Court
(2) The Court may:
(a) appoint a person who may be a trustee under section 283AC as trustee on the application of the borrower, a debenture holder or ASIC if:
(i) a trustee has not been validly appointed; or
(ii) the trustee has ceased to exist; or
(b) terminate the existing trustee’s appointment and appoint a person who may be a trustee under section 283AC as trustee in the existing trustee’s place on the application of the borrower, the existing trustee, a debenture holder or ASIC if:
(i) the existing trustee cannot be trustee under section 283AC; or
(ii) the existing trustee fails, or refuses, to act.
A borrower that is required to enter into a trust deed under section 283AA has the duties imposed by this Part.
The borrower must:
(a) carry on and conduct its business in a proper and efficient manner; and
(b) provide a copy of the trust deed to:
(i) a debenture holder; or
(ii) the trustee;
if they request a copy; and
(c) make all of its financial and other records available for inspection by:
(i) the trustee; or
(ii) an officer or employee of the trustee authorised by the trustee to carry out the inspection; or
(iii) a registered company auditor appointed by the trustee to carry out the inspection;
and give them any information, explanations or other assistance that they require about matters relating to those records.
Note: The borrower also has a duty to call a meeting of debenture holders in certain circumstances (see section 283EA).
283BC Duty to notify ASIC of information related to trustee
(1) Within 14 days after the trustee is appointed, the borrower must lodge with ASIC a notice containing the following information:
(a) the name of the trustee;
(b) any other information related to the trustee or the debentures that is prescribed by the regulations.
(2) If there is any change to the information, the borrower must, within 14 days of the change, lodge with ASIC a notice containing the changed information.
(3) A notice under subsection (1) or (2) must be in the prescribed form.
283BCA Register relating to trustees for debenture holders
The register
(1) ASIC must establish and maintain a register relating to trustees for debenture holders.
(2) The regulations may prescribe the way in which the register must be established or maintained, including the details that ASIC must enter in the register.
Inspection of register
(3) A person may inspect the register, and may make copies of, or take extracts from, the register.
(4) The regulations may prescribe the fees that a person must pay ASIC to do the things mentioned in subsection (3).
(5) Any disclosure necessary for the purposes of this section is authorised by this section.
The borrower must take all reasonable steps to replace the trustee under section 283AE as soon as practicable after the borrower becomes aware that the trustee:
(a) has ceased to exist; or
(b) has not been validly appointed; or
(c) cannot be a trustee under section 283AC; or
(d) has failed or refused to act as trustee.
283BE Duty to inform trustee about security interests
If the borrower creates a security interest, it must:
(a) give the trustee written details of the security interest within 21 days after it is created; and
(b) if the total amount to be advanced on the security of the security interest is indeterminate and the advances are not merged in a current account with bankers, trade creditors or anyone else—give the trustee written details of the amount of each advance within 7 days after it is made.
Note: If the advances are merged in a current account the borrower must give the trustee the details in the quarterly report (see subsection 283BF(4)).
283BF Duty to give trustee and ASIC quarterly reports
Quarterly reports
(1) Within 1 month after the end of each quarter, the borrower must:
(a) give the trustee a quarterly report that sets out the information required by subsections (4), (5) and (6); and
(b) lodge a copy of the report with ASIC (see section 351).
First quarter
(2) The first quarter is the period of 3 months ending on a day fixed by the borrower, by written notice to the trustee. The day must be less than 6 months after the first issue of a debenture under the trust deed.
Subsequent quarters
(3) Each of the subsequent quarters are periods of 3 months. The trustee may allow a particular quarter to be a period of less than 3 months if the trustee is satisfied that special circumstances justify doing so.
Content of quarterly report
(4) The report for a quarter must include details of:
(a) any failure by the borrower and each guarantor to comply with the terms of the debentures or the provisions of the trust deed or this Chapter during the quarter; and
(b) any event that has happened during the quarter that has caused, or could cause, 1 or more of the following:
(i) any amount deposited or lent under the debentures to become immediately payable;
(ii) the debentures to become immediately enforceable;
(iii) any other right or remedy under the terms of the debenture or provisions of the trust deed to become immediately enforceable; and
(c) any circumstances that have occurred during the quarter that materially prejudice:
(i) the borrower, any of its subsidiaries, or any of the guarantors; or
(ii) any security interest included in or created by the debentures or the trust deed; and
(d) any substantial change in the nature of the business of the borrower, any of its subsidiaries, or any of the guarantors that has occurred during the quarter; and
(e) any of the following events that happened in the quarter:
(i) the appointment of a guarantor;
(ii) the cessation of liability of a guarantor body for the payment of the whole or part of the money for which it was liable under the guarantee;
(iii) a change of name of a guarantor (if this happens, the report must also disclose the guarantor’s new name); and
(f) the net amount outstanding on any advances at the end of the quarter if the borrower has created a security interest where:
(i) the total amount to be advanced on the security of the security interest is indeterminate; and
(ii) the advances are merged in a current account with bankers, trade creditors or anyone else; and
(g) any other matters that may materially prejudice any security interests or other interests of the debenture holders.
Note: Paragraph (f)—the borrower has a duty to inform the trustee about security interests as they are created (see section 283BE).
(5) If the borrower has deposited money with, or lent money to, a related body corporate during the quarter, the report must also include details of:
(a) the total of the money deposited with, or lent to, the related body corporate during the quarter (see subsection (7)); and
(b) the total amount of money owing to the borrower at the end of the quarter in respect of the deposits or loans to the related body corporate.
Disregard any amount that the borrower deposits with an ADI in the normal course of the borrower’s business.
(6) If the borrower has assumed a liability of a related body corporate during the quarter, the report must also include details of the extent of the liability assumed during the quarter and the extent of the liability as at the end of the quarter.
(7) For the purposes of subsections (5) and (6), the report:
(a) must distinguish between deposits, loans and assumptions of liability that are secured and those that are unsecured; and
(b) may exclude any deposit, loan or assumption of liability on behalf of the related body corporate if it has:
(i) guaranteed the repayment of the debentures of the borrower; and
(ii) secured the guarantee by a security interest over all of its property in favour of the trustee.
Formalities
(8) The report must:
(a) be made in accordance with a resolution of the directors; and
(b) specify the date on which the report is made.
283BG Exceptions to borrower’s duty to report to trustee and ASIC
Section 283BF does not apply in respect of:
(a) a borrower, while:
(i) it is under external administration; or
(ii) a receiver, or a receiver and manager, of property of the borrower has been appointed and has not ceased to act under that appointment; or
(b) a security interest in PPSA retention of title property.
283BH How debentures may be described
(1) The borrower may describe or refer to the debentures in:
(a) any disclosure in relation to the offer of the debentures; or
(b) any other document constituting or relating to the offer of the debentures; or
(c) the debentures themselves;
only in accordance with the following table:
How debentures may be described | ||
Item | Description | When description may be used |
1 | mortgage debenture | only if the circumstances set out in subsection (2) are satisfied |
2 | debenture | only if the circumstances set out in subsection (2) or (3) are satisfied |
3 | unsecured note or unsecured deposit note | in any other case |
(1A) The borrower commits an offence if it intentionally or recklessly contravenes subsection (1).
When debentures can be called mortgage debentures or debentures
(2) The borrower may describe or refer to the debentures as:
(a) mortgage debentures; or
(b) debentures;
if:
(c) the repayment of all money that has been, or may be, deposited or lent under the debentures is secured by a first mortgage given to the trustee over land vested in the borrower or in any of the guarantors; and
(d) the mortgage has been registered, or is a registrable mortgage that has been lodged for registration, in accordance with the law relating to the registration of mortgages of land in the place where the land is situated; and
(e) the total amount of that money and of all other liabilities (if any) secured by the mortgage of that land ranking equally with the liability to repay that money does not exceed 60% of the value of the borrower’s or guarantor’s interest in that land as shown in the valuation included in the disclosure document for the debentures.
When debentures can be called debentures
(3) The borrower may describe or refer to the debentures as debentures if:
(a) the repayment of all money that has been, or may be, deposited or lent under the debentures has been secured by a security interest in favour of the trustee over the whole or any part of the tangible property of the borrower or of any of the guarantors; and
(b) the tangible property that constitutes the security for the security interest is sufficient and is reasonably likely to be sufficient to meet the liability for the repayment of all such money and all other liabilities that:
(i) have been or may be incurred; and
(ii) rank in priority to, or equally with, that liability.
283BI Offences for failure to comply with statutory duties
The borrower commits an offence if it intentionally or recklessly contravenes section 283BB, 283BC, 283BD, 283BE, 283BF or 283EA.
If a borrower is required to enter into a trust deed under section 283AA in relation to debentures, a guarantor in respect of the debentures has the duties imposed by this Part.
The guarantor must:
(a) carry on and conduct its business in a proper and efficient manner; and
(b) make all of its financial and other records available for inspection by:
(i) the trustee; or
(ii) an officer or employee of the trustee authorised by the trustee to carry out the inspection; or
(iii) a registered company auditor appointed by the trustee to carry out the inspection;
and give them any information, explanations or other assistance that they require about matters relating to those records.
283CC Duty to inform trustee about security interests
If the guarantor creates a security interest, it must:
(a) give the trustee written details of the security interest within 21 days after it is created; and
(b) if the total amount to be advanced on the security of the security interest is indeterminate, give the trustee written details of:
(i) the amount of each advance made within 7 days after it is made; or
(ii) where the advances are merged in a current account with bankers, trade creditors or anyone else—the net amount outstanding on the advances at the end of every 3 months.
283CD Exceptions to guarantor’s duty to inform trustee
Section 283CC does not apply in respect of:
(a) the guarantor, while:
(i) it is under external administration; or
(ii) a receiver, or a receiver and manager, of property of the guarantor has been appointed and has not ceased to act under that appointment; or
(b) a security interest in PPSA retention of title property.
283CE Offences for failure to comply with statutory duties
The guarantor commits an offence if it intentionally or recklessly contravenes paragraph 283CB(b) or section 283CC.
The trustee of a trust deed entered into under section 283AA must:
(a) exercise reasonable diligence to ascertain whether the property of the borrower and of each guarantor that is or should be available (whether by way of security or otherwise) will be sufficient to repay the amount deposited or lent when it becomes due; and
(b) exercise reasonable diligence to ascertain whether the borrower or any guarantor has committed any breach of:
(i) the terms of the debentures; or
(ii) the provisions of the trust deed or this Chapter; and
(c) do everything in its power to ensure that the borrower or a guarantor remedies any breach known to the trustee of:
(i) any term of the debentures; or
(ii) any provision of the trust deed or this Chapter;
unless the trustee is satisfied that the breach will not materially prejudice the debenture holders’ interests or any security for the debentures; and
(e) notify ASIC as soon as practicable if:
(i) the borrower has not complied with section 283BE, 283BF or subsection 318(1) or (4); or
(ii) a guarantor has not complied with section 283CC; and
(f) notify ASIC and the borrower as soon as practicable if the trustee discovers that it cannot be a trustee under section 283AC; and
(g) give the debenture holders a statement explaining the effect of any proposal that the borrower submits to the debenture holders before any meeting that:
(i) the Court calls in relation to a scheme under subsection 411(1) or (1A); or
(ii) the trustee calls under subsection 283EB(1); and
(h) comply with any directions given to it at a debenture holders’ meeting referred to in section 283EA, 283EB or 283EC unless:
(i) the trustee is of the opinion that the direction is inconsistent with the terms of the debentures or the provisions of the trust deed or this Act or is otherwise objectionable; and
(ii) has either obtained, or is in the process of obtaining, an order from the Court under section 283HA setting aside or varying the direction; and
(i) apply to the Court for an order under section 283HB if the borrower requests it to do so.
Note 1: Paragraph (g)—Section 411 relates to compromises and arrangements.
Note 2: Section 283DC deals with indemnification in respect of a trustee’s liability to the debenture holders.
283DB Exemptions and indemnifications of trustee from liability
(1) A term of a debenture, provision of a trust deed or a term of a contract with holders of debentures secured by a trust deed, is void in so far as the term or provision would have the effect of:
(a) exempting a trustee from liability for breach of section 283DA for failure to show the degree of care and diligence required of it as trustee; or
(b) indemnifying the trustee against that liability;
unless the term or provision:
(c) releases the trustee from liability for something done or omitted to be done before the release is given; or
(d) enables a meeting of debenture holders to approve the release of the trustee from liability for something done or omitted to be done before the release is given.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d):
(a) a release is approved if the debenture holders who vote for the resolution hold 75% of the nominal value of the debentures held by all the debenture holders who attend the meeting and vote on the resolution; and
(b) a debenture holder attends the meeting and votes on the resolution if:
(i) they attend the meeting in person and vote on the resolution; or
(ii) if proxies are permitted—they are represented at the meeting by a proxy and the proxy votes on the resolution.
The trustee is not liable for anything done or omitted to be done in accordance with a direction given to it by the debenture holders at any meeting called under section 283EA, 283EB or 283EC.
Part 2L.5—Meetings of debenture holders
283EA Borrower’s duty to call meeting
Duty to call meeting
(1) The borrower must call a meeting of debenture holders if:
(a) debenture holders who together hold 10% or more of the nominal value of the issued debentures to which the trust relates direct the borrower to do so; and
(b) the direction is given to the borrower in writing at its registered office; and
(c) the purpose of the meeting is to:
(i) consider the financial statements that were laid before the last AGM of the borrower; or
(ii) give the trustee directions in relation to the exercise of any of its powers.
Note: The trustee usually must comply with any directions given to it by the debenture holders at the meeting (see paragraph 283DA(h)).
Duty to give notification of meeting
(2) If the borrower is required to call a meeting, it must give notice of the time and place of the meeting to:
(a) the trustee; and
(b) the borrower’s auditor; and
(c) each of the debenture holders whose names are entered on the register of debenture holders.
Notice to joint holders of a debenture must be given to the joint holder named first in the register of debenture holders.
(3) The borrower may give the notice to a debenture holder:
(a) personally; or
(b) by sending it by post to the address for the debenture holder in the register of debenture holders; or
(c) by sending it to the fax number or electronic address (if any) nominated by the debenture holder; or
(d) by any other means that the trust deed or the terms of the debentures permit.
Note: A defect in the notice may not invalidate a meeting (see section 1322).
When notice by post or fax is given
(4) A notice of meeting sent to a debenture holder is taken to be given:
(a) 3 days after it is posted, if it is posted; or
(b) on the business day after it is sent, if it is sent by fax or other electronic means;
unless the trust deed or the terms of the debentures provide otherwise.
283EB Trustee’s power to call meeting
Trustee may call meeting in event of breach
(1) If the borrower or a guarantor fails to remedy any breach of the terms of the debentures or provisions of the trust deed or this Chapter when required by the trustee, the trustee may:
(a) call a meeting of debenture holders; and
(b) inform the debenture holders of the failure at the meeting; and
(c) submit proposals for protection of the debenture holders’ interests to the meeting; and
(d) ask for directions from the debenture holders in relation to the matter.
Trustee may appoint person to chair meeting
(2) The trustee may appoint a person to chair a meeting of debenture holders called under subsection (1). If the trustee does not exercise this power, the debenture holders present at the meeting may appoint a person to chair the meeting.
(1) Without limiting section 283HA or 283HB, the Court may make an order under either of those sections for a meeting of all or any of the debenture holders to be held to give directions to the trustee. The order may direct the trustee to:
(a) place before the debenture holders any information concerning their interests; and
(b) place before the debenture holders any proposals to protect their interests that the Court directs or the trustee considers appropriate; and
(c) obtain the debenture holders’ directions concerning the protection of their interests.
(2) The meeting is to be held and conducted in the manner the Court directs. The trustee may appoint a person to chair the meeting. If the trustee does not exercise this power, the debenture holders present at the meeting may appoint a person to chair the meeting.
283F Civil liability for contravening this Chapter
(1) A person who suffers loss or damage because a person contravenes a provision of this Chapter may recover the amount of the loss or damage from:
(a) the person who contravened the provision; or
(b) a person involved in the contravention.
This is so even if the person did not commit, and was not involved in, the contravention.
(2) An action under subsection (1) may begin at any time within 6 years after the day on which the cause of action arose.
(3) This Part does not affect any liability that a person has under any other law.
283GA ASIC’s power to exempt and modify
(1) ASIC may:
(a) exempt a person from a provision of this Chapter; or
(b) declare that this Chapter applies to a person as if specified provisions were omitted, modified or varied as specified in the declaration.
(2) The exemption or declaration may do all or any of the following:
(a) apply to all or specified provisions of this Chapter;
(b) apply to all persons, specified persons, or a specified class of persons;
(c) relate to all debentures, specified debentures or a specified class of debentures;
(d) relate to any other matter generally or as specified.
(3) An exemption may apply unconditionally or subject to specified conditions. A person to whom a condition specified in an exemption applies must comply with the condition. The Court may order the person to comply with the condition in a specified way. Only ASIC may apply to the Court for the order.
(4) The exemption or declaration must be in writing and ASIC must publish notice of it in the Gazette.
(5) For the purposes of this section, the provisions of this Chapter include:
(a) regulations made for the purposes of this Chapter; and
(b) definitions in this Act or the regulations as they apply to references in:
(i) this Chapter; or
(ii) regulations made for the purposes of this Chapter; and
(c) the old Division 12 of Part 11.2 transitionals.
283GB ASIC may approve body corporate to be trustee
(1) ASIC may approve a body corporate in writing to be a trustee for the purposes of paragraph 283AC(1)(f). The approval may allow the body corporate to act as trustee:
(a) in any circumstances; or
(b) in relation to a particular borrower or particular class of borrower; or
(c) in relation to a particular trust deed;
and may be given subject to conditions.
(2) ASIC must publish notice of the approval in the Gazette.
283HA General Court power to give directions and determine questions
If the trustee applies to the Court for any direction in relation to the performance of the trustee’s functions or to determine any question in relation to the interests of the debenture holders, the Court may give any direction and make any declaration or determination in relation to the matter that the Court considers appropriate. The Court may also make ancillary or consequential orders.
Note: Under this section, the Court may order a meeting of debenture holders to be held, see section 283EC.
(1) If the trustee or ASIC applies to the Court, the Court may make any or all of the following orders:
(a) an order staying an action or other civil proceedings before a court by or against the borrower or a guarantor body;
(b) an order restraining the borrower from paying any money to the debenture holders or any holders of any other class of debentures;
(c) an order that any security for the debentures be enforceable immediately or at the time the Court directs (even if the debentures are irredeemable or redeemable only on the happening of a contingency);
(d) an order appointing a receiver of any property constituting security for the debentures;
(e) an order restricting advertising by the borrower for deposits or loans;
(f) an order restricting borrowing by the borrower;
(g) any other order that the Court considers appropriate to protect the interests of existing or prospective debenture holders.
(2) In deciding whether to make an order under subsection (1), the Court must have regard to:
(a) the ability of the borrower and each guarantor to repay the amount deposited or lent as and when it becomes due; and
(b) any contravention of section 283GA by the borrower; and
(c) the interests of the borrower’s members and creditors; and
(d) the interests of the members of each of the guarantors.
Note: The Court may order a meeting of debenture holders to be held (see section 283EC).
Part 2L.9—Location of other debenture provisions
283I Signpost to other debenture provisions
There are other rules relating to debentures in paragraph 124(1)(b) and section 563AAA.
Chapter 2M—Financial reports and audit
285 Overview of obligations under this Chapter
Obligations under this Chapter—companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
(1) Under this Chapter, all companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities must keep financial records (see sections 286‑291)—and some must prepare financial reports (see sections 292‑323D). All those that have to prepare financial reports have to prepare them annually; disclosing entities have to prepare half‑year financial reports as well. The following table sets out what is involved in annual financial reporting:
Annual financial reporting for companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities | |||
| steps | sections | comments |
1 | prepare financial report | s. 295 | The financial report includes: • financial statements • disclosures and notes • directors’ declaration. |
2 | prepare directors’ report | s. 298 | Unless the report relates to a company limited by guarantee, it has a general component (sections 299 and 299A), a specific component (section 300) and a special component for listed companies (section 300A). See section 285A for an overview of the obligations of companies limited by guarantee. |
3 | have the financial report audited and obtain auditor’s report | s. 301, 307, 308 | A small proprietary company preparing a financial report because it has CSF shareholders only has to have an audit if it has raised a total equal to or exceeding the CSF audit threshold from CSF offers. A small proprietary company preparing a financial report in response to a shareholder direction under section 293 usually only has to have an audit if the direction asks for it. There are similar rules for companies limited by guarantee (see section 285A for an overview). Under s. 312, officers must assist the auditor in the conduct of the audit. ASIC may use its exemption powers under s. 340 and 341 to relieve large proprietary companies from the audit requirements in appropriate cases (s. 342(2) and (3)). |
4 | provide the financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report to members | s. 314 | Unless the report relates to a company limited by guarantee, a concise financial report may be provided to members instead of the full financial statements (subsections 314(1) and (2)). For deadline, see subsections 315(1) to (4). See section 285A for an overview of the obligations of companies limited by guarantee. |
5 | lodge the financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report with ASIC | s. 319 | For deadline see s. 319(3). Companies that have the benefit of the grandfathering in the relevant Part 10.1 transitionals do not have to lodge. |
6 | [public companies only] lay financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report before AGM | s. 317 | For the AGM deadline see s. 250N. |
Obligations under this Chapter—notified foreign passport funds
(1A) Under this Chapter, all notified foreign passport funds must provide reports on financial matters to Australian members of the fund (see section 314A) and to ASIC (see section 319).
Application to disclosing entities
(2) This Chapter covers all disclosing entities:
(a) incorporated or formed in Australia; and
(b) whether or not they are companies or registered schemes.
Application to registered schemes
(3) For the purposes of applying this Chapter to a registered scheme:
(a) the scheme’s responsible entity is responsible for the performance of obligations in respect of the scheme; and
(b) the directors and officers of the responsible entity are taken to be the directors and officers of the scheme; and
(c) the debts incurred in operating the scheme are taken to be the debts of the scheme.
Application to notified foreign passport funds
(4) For the purposes of applying this Chapter to a notified foreign passport fund:
(a) the operator of the fund is responsible for the performance of obligations in respect of the fund; and
(b) the debts incurred in operating the fund are taken to be the debts of the fund.
285A Overview of obligations of companies limited by guarantee
The following table sets out what is involved in annual financial reporting for companies limited by guarantee:
Annual financial reporting for companies limited by guarantee | |||
Item | Nature of company | Obligations | Sections |
1 | Small company limited by guarantee.
| No obligation to do any of the following unless required to do so under a member direction or ASIC direction: • prepare a financial report; • prepare a directors’ report; • have financial report audited; • notify members of reports. | Sections 292, 301 and 316A |
2 | Company limited by guarantee with annual revenue or, if part of a consolidated entity, annual consolidated revenue of less than $1 million. | Must prepare a financial report. Must prepare a directors’ report, although less detailed than that required of other companies. Need not have financial report audited unless a Commonwealth company, or a subsidiary of a Commonwealth company or Commonwealth authority. If the company does not have financial report audited, it must have financial report reviewed. Must give reports to any member who elects to receive them. | Sections 292, 298, 300B, 301, 316A |
3 | Company limited by guarantee with annual revenue or, if part of a consolidated entity, annual consolidated revenue of $1 million or more. | Must prepare a financial report. Must prepare a directors’ report, although less detailed than that required of other companies. Must have financial report audited. Must give reports to any member who elects to receive them. | Sections 292, 298, 300B, 301, 316A |
286 Obligation to keep financial records
(1) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must keep written financial records that:
(a) correctly record and explain its transactions and financial position and performance; and
(b) would enable true and fair financial statements to be prepared and audited.
The obligation to keep financial records of transactions extends to transactions undertaken as trustee.
Note: Section 9 defines financial records.
Period for which records must be retained
(2) The financial records must be retained for 7 years after the transactions covered by the records are completed.
Fault‑based offence
(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1) or (2).
Strict liability offence
(4) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person contravenes subsection (1) or (2).
(1) The financial records may be kept in any language.
(2) An English translation of financial records not kept in English must be made available within a reasonable time to a person who:
(a) is entitled to inspect the records; and
(b) asks for the English translation.
(3) An offence based on subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(1) If financial records are kept in electronic form, they must be convertible into hard copy. Hard copy must be made available within a reasonable time to a person who is entitled to inspect the records.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
289 Place where records are kept
(1) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity may decide where to keep the financial records.
Records kept outside this jurisdiction
(2) If financial records about particular matters are kept outside this jurisdiction, sufficient written information about those matters must be kept in this jurisdiction to enable true and fair financial statements to be prepared. The company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must give ASIC written notice in the prescribed form of the place where the information is kept.
(2A) An offence based on subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(3) ASIC may direct a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity to produce specified financial records that are kept outside this jurisdiction.
(4) The direction must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) specify a place in this jurisdiction where the records are to be produced (the place must be reasonable in the circumstances); and
(c) specify a day (at least 14 days after the direction is given) by which the records are to be produced.
Personal access
(1) A director of a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has a right of access to the financial records at all reasonable times.
Court order for inspection on director’s behalf
(2) On application by a director, the Court may authorise a person to inspect the financial records on the director’s behalf.
(3) A person authorised to inspect records may make copies of the records unless the Court orders otherwise.
(4) The Court may make any other orders it consider appropriate, including either or both of the following:
(a) an order limiting the use that a person who inspects the records may make of information obtained during the inspection;
(b) an order limiting the right of a person who inspects the records to make copies in accordance with subsection (3).
291 Signposts to other relevant provisions
The following table sets out other provisions that are relevant to access to financial records.
Other provisions relevant to access to financial records |
|
| ||
1 |
section 247A | members A member may apply to the Court for an order to inspect the records. | ||
2 |
section 310 | auditor The auditor has a right of access to the records. | ||
3 |
section 431 | controllers A controller of a corporation’s property (for example, a receiver or receiver and manager) has a right of access to the records. | ||
4 |
sections 28 to 39 of the ASIC Act | ASIC ASIC has power to inspect the records. It also has power under subsection 289(3) of this Act to call for the production of financial records kept outside this jurisdiction. | ||
Division 1—Annual financial reports and directors’ reports
292 Who has to prepare annual financial reports and directors’ reports
(1) A financial report and a directors’ report must be prepared for each financial year by:
(a) all disclosing entities; and
(b) all public companies; and
(c) all large proprietary companies; and
(d) all registered schemes.
Note: This Chapter only applies to disclosing entities incorporated or formed in Australia (see subsection 285(2)).
Small proprietary companies
(2) A small proprietary company has to prepare the financial report and directors’ report only if:
(a) it is directed to do so under section 293 or 294; or
(b) it was controlled by a foreign company for all or part of the year and it is not consolidated for that period in financial statements for that year lodged with ASIC by:
(i) a registered foreign company; or
(ii) a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; or
(c) it has one or more CSF shareholders at any time during the financial year.
The rest of this Part does not apply to any other small proprietary company.
Small companies limited by guarantee
(3) Despite subsection (1), a small company limited by guarantee has to prepare the financial report and directors’ report only if it is directed to do so under section 294A or 294B. The rest of this Part does not apply to any other small company limited by guarantee.
293 Small proprietary company—shareholder direction
(1) Shareholders with at least 5% of the votes in a small proprietary company may give the company a direction to:
(a) prepare a financial report and directors’ report for a financial year; and
(b) send them to all shareholders.
(2) The direction must be:
(a) signed by the shareholders giving the direction; and
(b) made no later than 12 months after the end of the financial year concerned.
(3) The direction may specify all or any of the following:
(a) that the financial report does not have to comply with some or all of the accounting standards;
(b) that a directors’ report or a part of that report need not be prepared;
(c) that the financial report is to be audited.
294 Small proprietary company—ASIC direction
(1) ASIC may give a small proprietary company a direction to comply with requirements of this Division and Divisions 3, 4, 5 and 6 for a financial year.
(1A) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(2) The direction may be general or may specify the particular requirements that the company is to comply with.
(3) The direction must specify the date by which the documents have to be prepared, sent or lodged. The date must be a reasonable one in view of the nature of the direction.
(4) The direction must:
(a) be made in writing; and
(b) specify the financial year concerned; and
(c) be made no later than 6 years after the end of that financial year.
294A Small company limited by guarantee—member direction
(1) Members with at least 5% of the votes in a small company limited by guarantee may give the company a direction to:
(a) prepare a financial report and directors’ report for a financial year; and
(b) send them to members who have elected to receive them under section 316A.
(2) The direction must be:
(a) signed by the members giving the direction; and
(b) made no later than 12 months after the end of the financial year concerned.
(3) The direction may specify all or any of the following:
(a) that the financial report does not have to comply with some or all of the accounting standards;
(b) that a directors’ report or a part of that report need not be prepared;
(c) that the financial report is to be audited or reviewed.
294B Small company limited by guarantee—ASIC direction
(1) ASIC may give a small company limited by guarantee a direction to comply with the requirements of this Division and Divisions 3, 4, 5 and 6 for a financial year.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(3) The direction may be general or may specify the particular requirements that the company is to comply with.
(4) The direction must specify the date by which the documents have to be prepared, sent or lodged. The date must be a reasonable one in view of the nature of the direction.
(5) The direction must:
(a) be made in writing; and
(b) specify the financial year concerned; and
(c) be made no later than 6 years after the end of that financial year.
(6) A direction given under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
295 Contents of annual financial report
Basic contents
(1) The financial report for a financial year consists of:
(a) the financial statements for the year; and
(b) the notes to the financial statements; and
(c) the directors’ declaration about the statements and notes.
Financial statements
(2) The financial statements for the year are:
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies—the financial statements in relation to the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity required by the accounting standards; or
(b) if the accounting standards require the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity to prepare financial statements in relation to a consolidated entity—the financial statements in relation to the consolidated entity required by the accounting standards.
Notes to financial statements
(3) The notes to the financial statements are:
(a) disclosures required by the regulations; and
(b) notes required by the accounting standards; and
(c) any other information necessary to give a true and fair view (see section 297).
Directors’ declaration
(4) The directors’ declaration is a declaration by the directors:
(c) whether, in the directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable; and
(ca) if the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has included in the notes to the financial statements, in compliance with the accounting standards, an explicit and unreserved statement of compliance with international financial reporting standards—that this statement has been included in the notes to the financial statements; and
(d) whether, in the directors’ opinion, the financial statement and notes are in accordance with this Act, including:
(i) section 296 (compliance with accounting standards); and
(ii) section 297 (true and fair view); and
(e) if the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme is listed—that the directors have been given the declarations required by section 295A.
Note: See paragraph 285(3)(c) for the reference to the debts of a registered scheme.
(5) The declaration must:
(a) be made in accordance with a resolution of the directors; and
(b) specify the date on which the declaration is made; and
(c) be signed by a director.
(1) If the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme is listed, the directors’ declaration under subsection 295(4) must be made only after each person who performs:
(a) a chief executive function; or
(b) a chief financial officer function;
in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme has given the directors a declaration under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The declaration is a declaration whether, in the person’s opinion:
(a) the financial records of the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme for the financial year have been properly maintained in accordance with section 286; and
(b) the financial statements, and the notes referred to in paragraph 295(3)(b), for the financial year comply with the accounting standards; and
(c) the financial statements and notes for the financial year give a true and fair view (see section 297); and
(d) any other matters that are prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph in relation to the financial statements and the notes for the financial year are satisfied.
(3) The declaration must:
(a) be made in writing; and
(b) specify the date on which the declaration is made; and
(c) specify the capacity in which the person is making the declaration; and
(d) be signed by the person making the declaration.
A person who performs both a chief executive function and a chief financial officer function may make a single declaration in both capacities.
(4) A person performs a chief executive function in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme if the person is the person who is primarily and directly responsible to the directors for the general and overall management of the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme.
(5) If there is no one person who performs a chief executive function in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme under subsection (4), a person performs a chief executive function in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme if the person is one of a number of people who together are primarily and directly responsible to the directors for the general and overall management of the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme.
(6) A person performs a chief financial officer function in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme if that person is the person who is:
(a) primarily responsible for financial matters in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme; and
(b) directly responsible for those matters to either:
(i) the directors; or
(ii) the person or persons who perform the chief executive function in relation to the company.
(7) If there is no one person who performs a chief financial officer function in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme under subsection (6), a person performs a chief financial officer function in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme if the person is one of a number of people who together are:
(a) primarily responsible for financial matters in relation to the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme; and
(b) directly responsible for those matters to either:
(i) the directors; or
(ii) the person or persons who perform the chief executive function in relation to the company.
(8) Nothing in this section derogates from the responsibility that a director has for ensuring that financial statements comply with this Act.
296 Compliance with accounting standards and regulations
(1) The financial report for a financial year must comply with the accounting standards.
Small proprietary companies
(1A) Despite subsection (1), the financial report of a small proprietary company does not have to comply with particular accounting standards if:
(a) the report is prepared in response to a shareholder direction under section 293; and
(b) the direction specifies that the report does not have to comply with those standards; and
(c) paragraph 292(2)(c) (about having CSF shareholders) does not apply to the company for the financial year.
Small companies limited by guarantee
(1B) Despite subsection (1), the financial report of a small company limited by guarantee does not have to comply with particular accounting standards if:
(a) the report is prepared in response to a member direction under section 294A; and
(b) the direction specifies that the report does not have to comply with those standards.
Further requirements
(2) The financial report must comply with any further requirements in the regulations.
The financial statements and notes for a financial year must give a true and fair view of:
(a) the financial position and performance of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; and
(b) if consolidated financial statements are required—the financial position and performance of the consolidated entity.
This section does not affect the obligation under section 296 for a financial report to comply with accounting standards.
Note: If the financial statements and notes prepared in compliance with the accounting standards would not give a true and fair view, additional information must be included in the notes to the financial statements under paragraph 295(3)(c).
(1) The company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must prepare a directors’ report for each financial year.
(1AA) Except in the case of a company limited by guarantee or a company covered under subsection (1AC), the report must include:
(a) the general information required by sections 299 (all entities) and 299A (additional requirements for listed entities); and
(b) the specific information required by sections 300 and 300A; and
(c) a copy of the auditor’s declaration under section 307C in relation to the audit for the financial year.
(1AB) In the case of a company limited by guarantee, the report must include:
(a) the general information required by section 300B; and
(b) a copy of the auditor’s declaration under section 307C in relation to the audit or review for the financial year.
(1AC) This subsection covers a company if the company has not had its financial report for the relevant financial year audited because subsection 301(2) or (5) exempts it from the requirement to do so under subsection 301(1).
(1AD) In the case of a company covered under subsection (1AC), the report must include:
(a) the general information required by section 299; and
(b) the specific information required by section 300.
(1A) If the financial report for a financial year includes additional information under paragraph 295(3)(c) (information included to give true and fair view of financial position and performance), the directors’ report for the financial year must also:
(a) set out the directors’ reasons for forming the opinion that the inclusion of that additional information was necessary to give the true and fair view required by section 297; and
(b) specify where that additional information can be found in the financial report.
(2) The report must:
(a) be made in accordance with a resolution of the directors; and
(b) specify the date on which the report is made; and
(c) be signed by a director.
Small proprietary companies
(3) A small proprietary company does not have to comply with subsection (1) for a financial year if:
(a) it is preparing financial statements for that year in response to a shareholder direction under section 293; and
(b) the direction specified that a directors’ report need not be prepared; and
(c) paragraph 292(2)(c) (about having CSF shareholders) does not apply to the company for the financial year.
Small companies limited by guarantee
(4) A small company limited by guarantee does not have to comply with subsection (1) for a financial year if:
(a) it is preparing the financial statements for that year in response to a member direction under section 294A; and
(b) the direction specified that a directors’ report need not be prepared.
299 Annual directors’ report—general information
General information about operations and activities
(1) The directors’ report for a financial year must:
(a) contain a review of operations during the year of the entity reported on and the results of those operations; and
(b) give details of any significant changes in the entity’s state of affairs during the year; and
(c) state the entity’s principal activities during the year and any significant changes in the nature of those activities during the year; and
(d) give details of any matter or circumstance that has arisen since the end of the year that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect:
(i) the entity’s operations in future financial years; or
(ii) the results of those operations in future financial years; or
(iii) the entity’s state of affairs in future financial years; and
(e) refer to likely developments in the entity’s operations in future financial years and the expected results of those operations; and
(f) if the entity’s operations are subject to any particular and significant environmental regulation under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory—give details of the entity’s performance in relation to environmental regulation.
(2) The entity reported on is:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity (if consolidated financial statements are not required); or
(b) the consolidated entity (if consolidated financial statements are required).
Prejudicial information need not be disclosed
(3) The report may omit material that would otherwise be included under paragraph (1)(e) if it is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; or
(b) if consolidated financial statements are required—the consolidated entity or any entity (including the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity) that is part of the consolidated entity.
If material is omitted, the report must say so.
299A Annual directors’ report—additional general requirements for listed entities
(1) The directors’ report for a financial year for a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity that is listed must also contain information that members of the listed entity would reasonably require to make an informed assessment of:
(a) the operations of the entity reported on; and
(b) the financial position of the entity reported on; and
(c) the business strategies, and prospects for future financial years, of the entity reported on.
(2) The entity reported on is:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity that is listed (if consolidated financial statements are not required); or
(b) the consolidated entity (if consolidated financial statements are required).
(3) The report may omit material that would otherwise be included under paragraph (1)(c) if it is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; or
(b) if consolidated financial statements are required—the consolidated entity or any entity (including the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity) that is part of the consolidated entity.
If material is omitted, the report must say so.
300 Annual directors’ report—specific information
(1) The directors’ report for a financial year must include details of:
(a) dividends or distributions paid to members during the year; and
(b) dividends or distributions recommended or declared for payment to members, but not paid, during the year; and
(c) the name of each person who has been a director of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity at any time during or since the end of the year and the period for which they were a director; and
(ca) the name of each person who:
(i) is an officer of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity at any time during the year; and
(ii) was a partner in an audit firm, or a director of an audit company, that is an auditor of the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme for the year; and
(iii) was such a partner or director at a time when the audit firm or the audit company undertook an audit of the company, disclosing entity or registered scheme; and
(d) options that are:
(i) granted over unissued shares or unissued interests during or since the end of the year; and
(ii) granted to any of the directors or any of the 5 most highly remunerated officers of the company (other than the directors); and
(iii) granted to them as part of their remuneration;
(see subsections (3), (4) and (5)); and
(e) unissued shares or interests under option as at the day the report is made (see subsections (3) and (6)); and
(f) shares or interests issued during or since the end of the year as a result of the exercise of an option over unissued shares or interests (see subsections (3) and (7)); and
(g) indemnities given and insurance premiums paid during or since the end of the year for a person who is or has been an officer or auditor (see subsections (8) and (9)).
Public companies, listed companies and registered schemes must include additional information under subsections (10), (11), (11AA), (11A), (11B), (12) and (13) of this section and section 300A.
(2) Details do not have to be included in the directors’ report under this section if they are included in the company’s financial report for the financial year.
(2A) If subsection (2) is relied on to not include in the directors’ report for a financial year details that would otherwise be required to be included in that report under paragraph (11B)(a) or (11C)(b), that report must specify, in the section headed “Non‑audit services”, where those details may be found in the company’s financial report for that financial year.
(3) Paragraphs (1)(d), (e) and (f) cover:
(a) options over unissued shares and interests of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; and
(b) if consolidated financial statements are required—options over unissued shares and interests of any controlled entity that is a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity.
Options details
(5) The details of an option granted are:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity granting the option; and
(b) the name of the person to whom the option is granted; and
(c) the number and class of shares or interests over which the option is granted.
(6) The details of unissued shares or interests under option are:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity that will issue shares or interests when the options are exercised; and
(b) the number and classes of those shares or interests; and
(c) the issue price, or the method of determining the issue price, of those shares or interests; and
(d) the expiry date of the options; and
(e) any rights that option holders have under the options to participate in any share issue or interest issue of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity or of any other body corporate or registered scheme.
Shares or interests issued as a result of exercise of option
(7) The details of shares or interests issued as a result of the exercise of an option are:
(a) the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity issuing the shares or interests; and
(b) the number of shares or interests issued; and
(c) if the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has different classes of shares or interests—the class to which each of those shares or interests belongs; and
(d) the amount unpaid on each of those shares or interests; and
(e) the amount paid, or agreed to be considered as paid, on each of those shares or interests.
Indemnities and insurance premiums for officers or auditors
(8) The report for a company must include details of:
(a) any indemnity that is given to a current or former officer or auditor against a liability and that is covered by subsection 199A(2) or (3), or any relevant agreement under which an officer or auditor may be given an indemnity of that kind; and
(b) any premium that is paid, or agreed to be paid, for insurance against a current or former officer’s or auditor’s liability for legal costs.
Note: Sections 199A and 199B contain general prohibitions against giving certain indemnities and paying certain insurance premiums. This subsection requires transactions that are exceptions to these prohibitions to be reported.
(9) The details required under subsection (8) are:
(a) for an officer—their name or the class of officer to which they belong or belonged; and
(b) for an auditor—their name; and
(c) the nature of the liability; and
(d) for an indemnity given—the amount the company paid and any other action the company took to indemnify the officer or auditor; and
(e) for an agreement to indemnify—the amount that the relevant agreement requires the company to pay and any other action the relevant agreement requires the company to take to indemnify the officer or auditor; and
(f) for an insurance premium—the amount of the premium.
The report need not give details of the nature of the liability covered by, or the amount of the premium payable under, a contract of insurance to the extent that disclosure of those details is prohibited by the insurance contract.
Special rules for public companies
(10) The report for a public company that is not a wholly‑owned subsidiary of another company must also include details of:
(a) each director’s qualifications, experience and special responsibilities; and
(b) the number of meetings of the board of directors held during the year and each director’s attendance at those meetings; and
(c) the number of meetings of each board committee held during the year and each director’s attendance at those meetings; and
(d) the qualifications and experience of each person who is a company secretary of the company as at the end of the year.
Special rules for listed companies and schemes
(11) The report for a listed company must also include the following details for each director:
(a) their relevant interests in shares of the company or a related body corporate;
(b) their relevant interests in debentures of, or interests in a registered scheme made available by, the company or a related body corporate;
(c) their rights or options over shares in, debentures of or interests in a registered scheme made available by, the company or a related body corporate;
(d) contracts:
(i) to which the director is a party or under which the director is entitled to a benefit; and
(ii) that confer a right to call for or deliver shares in, or debentures of or interests in a registered scheme made available by the company or a related body corporate;
(e) all directorships of other listed companies held by the director at any time in the 3 years immediately before the end of the financial year and the period for which each directorship has been held.
Note: Directors must also disclose interests of these kinds to a relevant market operator under section 205G as they are acquired.
(11AA) If an individual plays a significant role in the audit of a listed company or listed registered scheme for the financial year in reliance on an approval granted under section 324DAA, the report for the company or scheme must also include details of, and reasons for, the approval.
(11A) If a registered company auditor plays a significant role in the audit of a listed company for the financial year in reliance on a declaration made under section 342A, the report for the company must also include details of the declaration.
Listed companies—non‑audit services and auditor independence
(11B) The report for a listed company must also include the following in relation to each auditor:
(a) details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor for non‑audit services provided, during the year, by the auditor (or by another person or firm on the auditor’s behalf);
(b) a statement whether the directors are satisfied that the provision of non‑audit services, during the year, by the auditor (or by another person or firm on the auditor’s behalf) is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors imposed by this Act;
(c) a statement of the directors’ reasons for being satisfied that the provision of those non‑audit services, during the year, by the auditor (or by another person or firm on the auditor’s behalf) did not compromise the auditor independence requirements of this Act.
These details and statements must be included in the directors’ report under the heading “Non‑audit services”. If consolidated financial statements are required, the details and statements must relate to amounts paid or payable to the auditor by, and non‑audit services provided to, any entity (including the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity) that is part of the consolidated entity.
(11C) For the purposes of paragraph (11B)(a), the details of amounts paid or payable to an auditor for non‑audit services provided, during the year, by the auditor (or by another person or firm on the auditor’s behalf) are:
(a) the name of the auditor; and
(b) the dollar amount that:
(i) the listed company; or
(ii) if consolidated financial statements are required—any entity that is part of the consolidated entity;
paid, or is liable to pay, for each of those non‑audit services.
(11D) The statements under paragraphs (11B)(b) and (c) must be made in accordance with:
(a) advice provided by the listed company’s audit committee if the company has an audit committee; or
(b) a resolution of the directors of the listed company if paragraph (a) does not apply.
(11E) For the purposes of subsection (11D), a statement is taken to be made in accordance with advice provided by the company’s audit committee only if:
(a) the statement is consistent with that advice and does not contain any material omission of material included in that advice; and
(b) the advice is endorsed by a resolution passed by the members of the audit committee; and
(c) the advice is written advice signed by a member of the audit committee on behalf of the audit committee and given to the directors.
Special rules for listed registered schemes
(12) The report for a registered scheme whose interests are quoted on a prescribed financial market must also include the following details for each director of the company that is the responsible entity for the scheme:
(a) their relevant interests in interests in the scheme;
(b) their rights or options over interests in the scheme;
(c) contracts to which the director is a party or under which the director is entitled to a benefit and that confer a right to call for or deliver interests in the scheme.
Special rules for registered schemes
(13) The report for a registered scheme must also include details of:
(a) the fees paid to the responsible entity and its associates out of scheme property during the financial year; and
(b) the number of interests in the scheme held by the responsible entity or its associates as at the end of the financial year; and
(c) interests in the scheme issued during the financial year; and
(d) withdrawals from the scheme during the financial year; and
(e) the value of the scheme’s assets as at the end of the financial year, and the basis for the valuation; and
(f) the number of interests in the scheme as at the end of the financial year.
Proceedings on behalf of a company
(14) The report for a company must also include the following details of any application for leave under section 237 made in respect of the company:
(a) the applicant’s name; and
(b) a statement whether leave was granted.
(15) The report for a company must also include the following details of any proceedings that a person has brought or intervened in on behalf of the company with leave under section 237:
(a) the person’s name;
(b) the names of the parties to the proceedings;
(c) sufficient information to enable members to understand the nature and status of the proceedings (including the cause of action and any orders made by the court).
300A Annual directors’ report—specific information to be provided by listed companies
(1) The directors’ report for a financial year for a company must also include (in a separate and clearly identified section of the report):
(a) discussion of board policy for determining, or in relation to, the nature and amount (or value, as appropriate) of remuneration of the key management personnel for:
(i) the company, if consolidated financial statements are not required; or
(ii) the consolidated entity, if consolidated financial statements are required; and
(b) discussion of the relationship between such policy and the company’s performance; and
(ba) if an element of the remuneration of a member of the key management personnel for the company, or if consolidated financial statements are required, for the consolidated entity is dependent on the satisfaction of a performance condition:
(i) a detailed summary of the performance condition; and
(ii) an explanation of why the performance condition was chosen; and
(iii) a summary of the methods used in assessing whether the performance condition is satisfied and an explanation of why those methods were chosen; and
(iv) if the performance condition involves a comparison with factors external to the company:
(A) a summary of the factors to be used in making the comparison; and
(B) if any of the factors relates to the performance of another company, of 2 or more other companies or of an index in which the securities of a company or companies are included—the identity of that company, of each of those companies or of the index; and
(c) the prescribed details in relation to the remuneration of:
(i) if consolidated financial statements are required—each member of the key management personnel for the consolidated entity; or
(ii) if consolidated financial statements are not required—each member of the key management personnel for the company; and
(d) if an element of the remuneration of a person referred to in paragraph (c) consists of securities of a body and that element is not dependent on the satisfaction of a performance condition—an explanation of why that element of the remuneration is not dependent on the satisfaction of a performance condition; and
(e) for each person referred to in paragraph (c):
(i) an explanation of the relative proportions of those elements of the person’s remuneration that are related to performance and those elements of the person’s remuneration that are not; and
(ii) the value (worked out as at the time they are granted and in accordance with any applicable accounting standards) of options that are granted to the person during the year as part of their remuneration; and
(iii) the value (worked out as at the time they are exercised) of options that were granted to the person as part of their remuneration and that are exercised by the person during the year; and
(iv) if options granted to the person as part of their remuneration lapse during the financial year—the number of those options, and the financial year in which those options were granted; and
(vii) if the person is employed by the company under a contract—the duration of the contract, the periods of notice required to terminate the contract and the termination payments provided for under the contract; and
(f) such other matters related to the policy or policies referred to in paragraph (a) as are prescribed by the regulations; and
(g) if:
(i) at the company’s most recent AGM, comments were made on the remuneration report that was considered at that AGM; and
(ii) when a resolution that the remuneration report for the last financial year be adopted was put to the vote at the company’s most recent AGM, at least 25% of the votes cast were against adoption of that report;
an explanation of the board’s proposed action in response or, if the board does not propose any action, the board’s reasons for inaction; and
(h) if a remuneration consultant made a remuneration recommendation in relation to any of the key management personnel for the company or, if consolidated financial statements are required, for the consolidated entity, for the financial year:
(i) the name of the consultant; and
(ii) a statement that the consultant made such a recommendation; and
(iii) if the consultant provided any other kind of advice to the company or entity for the financial year—a statement that the consultant provided that other kind or those other kinds of advice; and
(iv) the amount and nature of the consideration payable for the remuneration recommendation; and
(v) the amount and nature of the consideration payable for any other kind of advice referred to in subparagraph (iii); and
(vi) information about the arrangements the company made to ensure that the making of the remuneration recommendation would be free from undue influence by the member or members of the key management personnel to whom the recommendation relates; and
(vii) a statement about whether the board is satisfied that the remuneration recommendation was made free from undue influence by the member or members of the key management personnel to whom the recommendation relates; and
(viii) if the board is satisfied that the remuneration recommendation was made free from undue influence by the member or members of the key management personnel to whom the recommendation relates—the board’s reasons for being satisfied of this.
(1AA) Without limiting paragraph (1)(b), the discussion under that paragraph of the company’s performance must specifically deal with:
(a) the company’s earnings; and
(b) the consequences of the company’s performance on shareholder wealth;
in the financial year to which the report relates and in the previous 4 financial years.
(1AB) In determining, for the purposes of subsection (1AA), the consequences of the company’s performance on shareholder wealth in a financial year, have regard to:
(a) dividends paid by the company to its shareholders during that year; and
(b) changes in the price at which shares in the company are traded between the beginning and the end of that year; and
(c) any return of capital by the company to its shareholders during that year that involves:
(i) the cancellation of shares in the company; and
(ii) a payment to the holders of those shares that exceeds the price at which shares in that class are being traded at the time when the shares are cancelled; and
(d) any other relevant matter.
(1A) The material referred to in subsection (1) must be included in the directors’ report under the heading “Remuneration report”.
(1C) Without limiting paragraph (1)(c), the regulations may:
(a) provide that the value of an element of remuneration is to be determined, for the purposes of this section, in a particular way or by reference to a particular standard; and
(b) provide that details to be given of an element of remuneration must relate to the remuneration provided in:
(i) the financial year to which the directors’ report relates; and
(ii) the earlier financial years specified in the regulations.
(2) This section applies to any listed disclosing entity that is a company.
(3) This section applies despite anything in the company’s constitution.
(4) For the purposes of this section, if:
(a) consolidated financial statements are required; and
(b) a person is a group executive who is a group executive of 2 or more entities within the consolidated entity;
the person’s remuneration is taken to include all of the person’s remuneration from those entities (regardless of the capacity in which the person received the remuneration).
300B Annual directors’ report—companies limited by guarantee
(1) The directors’ report for a financial year for a company limited by guarantee must:
(a) contain a description of the short and long term objectives of the entity reported on; and
(b) set out the entity’s strategy for achieving those objectives; and
(c) state the entity’s principal activities during the year; and
(d) state how those activities assisted in achieving the entity’s objectives; and
(e) state how the entity measures its performance, including any key performance indicators used by the entity.
(2) The entity reported on is:
(a) the company (if consolidated financial statements are not required); or
(b) the consolidated entity (if consolidated financial statements are required).
(3) The directors’ report for a financial year for a company limited by guarantee must also include details of:
(a) the name of each person who has been a director of the company at any time during or since the end of the year and the period for which the person was a director; and
(b) each director’s qualifications, experience and special responsibilities; and
(c) the number of meetings of the board of directors held during the year and each director’s attendance at those meetings; and
(d) for each class of membership in the company—the amount which a member of that class is liable to contribute if the company is wound up; and
(e) the total amount that members of the company are liable to contribute if the company is wound up.
301 Audit of annual financial report
(1) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must have the financial report for a financial year audited in accordance with Division 3 and obtain an auditor’s report.
Small proprietary companies
(2) A small proprietary company’s financial report for a financial year does not have to be audited if:
(a) the report is required only because of:
(i) paragraph 292(2)(c) (about having CSF shareholders); or
(ii) a direction under section 293; or
(iii) both paragraph 292(2)(c) and a direction under section 293; and
(b) in a case where subparagraph (a)(i) or (iii) applies—as at the end of the financial year, the company has raised a total less than the CSF audit threshold from all the CSF offers it has ever made; and
(c) in a case where subparagraph (a)(ii) or (iii) applies—the direction did not ask for the financial report to be audited.
Companies limited by guarantee
(3) A company limited by guarantee may have its financial report for a financial year reviewed, rather than audited, if:
(a) the company is not one of the following:
(i) a Commonwealth company for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013;
(ii) a subsidiary of a Commonwealth company for the purposes of that Act;
(iii) a subsidiary of a corporate Commonwealth entity for the purposes of that Act; and
(b) one of the following is true:
(i) the company is not required by the accounting standards to be included in consolidated financial statements and the revenue of the company for the financial year is less than $1 million;
(ii) the company is required by the accounting standards to be included in consolidated financial statements and the consolidated revenue of the consolidated entity for the financial year is less than $1 million.
(4) A small company limited by guarantee’s financial report for a financial year does not have to be audited or reviewed if:
(a) the report is prepared in response to a member direction under section 294A; and
(b) the direction does not ask for the audit or review.
(5) A company need not comply with subsection (1) if:
(a) it is covered under section 738ZI at the end of the financial year mentioned in subsection (1); and
(b) as at the end of that financial year, the company has raised less than $3 million from all CSF offers that it has made at any time.
Division 2—Half‑year financial report and directors’ report
302 Disclosing entity must prepare half‑year financial report and directors’ report
A disclosing entity must:
(a) prepare a financial report and directors’ report for each half‑year; and
(b) have the financial report audited or reviewed in accordance with Division 3 and obtain an auditor’s report; and
(c) lodge the financial report, the directors’ report and the auditor’s report on the financial report with ASIC;
unless the entity is not a disclosing entity when lodgment is due.
Note 1: This Chapter only applies to disclosing entities incorporated or formed in Australia (see subsection 285(2)).
Note 2: See section 320 for the time for lodgment with ASIC.
Note 3: Subsection 318(4) requires disclosing entities that are borrowers in relation to debentures to also report to the trustee for debenture holders.
303 Contents of half‑year financial report
Basic contents
(1) The financial report for a half‑year consists of:
(a) the financial statements for the half‑year; and
(b) the notes to the financial statements; and
(c) the directors’ declaration about the statements and notes.
Financial statements
(2) The financial statements for the half‑year are:
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies—the financial statements in relation to the disclosing entity required by the accounting standards; or
(b) if the accounting standards require the disclosing entity to prepare financial statements in relation to a consolidated entity—the financial statements in relation to the consolidated entity required by the accounting standards.
Notes to financial statements
(3) The notes to the financial statements are:
(a) disclosures required by the regulations; and
(b) notes required by the accounting standards; and
(c) any other information necessary to give a true and fair view (see section 305).
Directors’ declaration
(4) The directors’ declaration is a declaration by the directors:
(c) whether, in the directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the disclosing entity will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable; and
(d) whether, in the directors’ opinion, the financial statement and notes are in accordance with this Act, including:
(i) section 304 (compliance with accounting standards); and
(ii) section 305 (true and fair view).
Note: See paragraph 285(3)(c) for the reference to the debts of a disclosing entity that is a registered scheme.
(5) The declaration must:
(a) be made in accordance with a resolution of the directors; and
(b) specify the day on which the declaration is made; and
(c) be signed by a director.
304 Compliance with accounting standards and regulations
The financial report for a half‑year must comply with the accounting standards and any further requirements in the regulations.
The financial statements and notes for a half‑year must give a true and fair view of:
(a) the financial position and performance of the disclosing entity; or
(b) if consolidated financial statements are required—the financial position and performance of the consolidated entity.
This section does not affect the obligation under section 304 for financial reports to comply with accounting standards.
Note: If the financial statements prepared in compliance with the accounting standards would not give a true and fair view, additional information must be included in the notes to the financial statements under paragraph 303(3)(c).
306 Half‑year directors’ report
(1) The directors of the disclosing entity must prepare a directors’ report for each half‑year that consists of:
(a) a review of the entity’s operations during the half‑year and the results of those operations; and
(b) the name of each person who has been a director of the disclosing entity at any time during or since the end of the half‑year and the period for which they were a director.
If consolidated financial statements are required, the review under paragraph (a) must cover the consolidated entity.
(1A) The directors’ report must include a copy of the auditor’s declaration under section 307C in relation to the audit or review for the half‑year.
(2) If the financial report for a half‑year includes additional information under paragraph 303(3)(c) (information included to give true and fair view of financial position and performance), the directors’ report for the half‑year must also:
(a) set out the directors’ reasons for forming the opinion that the inclusion of that additional information was necessary to give the true and fair view required by section 305; and
(b) specify where that information can be found in the financial report.
(3) The report must:
(a) be made in accordance with a resolution of the directors; and
(b) specify the date on which the report is made; and
(c) be signed by a director.
Division 3—Audit and auditor’s report
An auditor who conducts an audit of the financial report for a financial year or half‑year must form an opinion about:
(a) whether the financial report is in accordance with this Act, including:
(i) section 296 or 304 (compliance with accounting standards); and
(ii) section 297 or 305 (true and fair view); and
(aa) if the financial report includes additional information under paragraph 295(3)(c) or 303(3)(c) (information included to give true and fair view of financial position and performance)—whether the inclusion of that additional information was necessary to give the true and fair view required by section 297 or 305; and
(b) whether the auditor has been given all information, explanation and assistance necessary for the conduct of the audit; and
(c) whether the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has kept financial records sufficient to enable a financial report to be prepared and audited; and
(d) whether the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has kept other records and registers as required by this Act.
307A Audit to be conducted in accordance with auditing standards
(1) If an individual auditor, or an audit company, conducts:
(a) an audit or review of the financial report for a financial year; or
(b) an audit or review of the financial report for a half‑year;
the individual auditor or audit company must conduct the audit or review in accordance with the auditing standards.
(2) If an audit firm, or an audit company, conducts:
(a) an audit or review of the financial report for a financial year; or
(b) an audit or review of the financial report for a half‑year;
the lead auditor for the audit or review must ensure that the audit or review is conducted in accordance with the auditing standards.
Fault‑based offence
(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subsection (1) or (2).
Strict liability offence
(4) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person contravenes subsection (1) or (2).
307B Audit working papers to be retained for 7 years
Contravention by individual auditor or audit company
(1) An auditor contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the auditor is an individual auditor or an audit company; and
(b) the auditor conducts:
(i) an audit or review of the financial report for a financial year; or
(ii) an audit or review of the financial report for a half‑year; and
(c) the auditor does not retain all audit working papers prepared by or for, or considered or used by, the auditor in accordance with the requirements of the auditing standards until:
(i) the end of 7 years after the date of the audit report prepared in relation to the audit or review to which the audit working papers relate; or
(ii) an earlier date determined for the audit working papers by ASIC under subsection (6).
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Contravention by member of audit firm
(3) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm conducts:
(i) an audit or review of the financial report for a financial year; or
(ii) an audit or review of the financial report for a half‑year; and
(b) the audit firm fails, at a particular time, to retain all audit working papers prepared by or for, or considered or used by, the audit firm in accordance with the requirements of the auditing standards until:
(i) the end of 7 years after the date of the audit report prepared in relation to the audit or review to which the documents relate; or
(ii) the earlier date determined by ASIC for the audit working papers under subsection (6); and
(c) the defendant is a member of the firm at that time.
(4) An offence based on subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.
Note 1: For strict liability see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (5) provides a defence.
(5) A member of an audit firm does not commit an offence at a particular time because of a contravention of subsection (3) if the member either:
(a) does not know at that time of the circumstances that constitute the contravention of subsection (3); or
(b) knows of those circumstances at that time but takes all reasonable steps to correct the contravention as soon as possible after the member becomes aware of those circumstances.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Earlier retention date for audit working papers
(6) ASIC may, on application by a person, determine, in writing, an earlier date for the audit working papers for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and (3)(b) if:
(a) the auditor is an individual auditor and the auditor:
(i) dies; or
(ii) ceases to be a registered company auditor; or
(b) the auditor is an audit firm and the firm is dissolved (otherwise than simply as part of a reconstitution of the firm because of the death, retirement or withdrawal of a member or members or because of the admission of a new member or members); or
(c) the auditor is an audit company and the company:
(i) is wound up; or
(ii) ceases to be an authorised audit company.
(7) In deciding whether to make a determination under subsection (6), ASIC must have regard to:
(a) whether ASIC is inquiring into or investigating any matters in respect of:
(i) the auditor; or
(ii) the audited body for the audit to which the documents relate; and
(b) whether the professional accounting bodies have any investigations or disciplinary action pending in relation to the auditor; and
(c) whether civil or criminal proceedings in relation to:
(i) the conduct of the audit; or
(ii) the contents of the financial report to which the audit working papers relate;
have been, or are about to be, commenced; and
(d) any other relevant matter.
Audit working papers kept in electronic form
(8) For the purposes of this section, if audit working papers are in electronic form they are taken to be retained only if they are convertible into hard copy.
307C Auditor’s independence declaration
Contravention by individual auditor
(1) If an individual auditor conducts:
(a) an audit or review of the financial report for a financial year; or
(b) an audit or review of the financial report for a half‑year;
the individual auditor must give the directors of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity:
(c) a written declaration that, to the best of the individual auditor’s knowledge and belief, there have been:
(i) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of this Act in relation to the audit or review; and
(ii) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit or review; or
(d) a written declaration that, to the best of the individual auditor’s knowledge and belief, the only contraventions of:
(i) the auditor independence requirements of this Act in relation to the audit or review; or
(ii) any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit or review;
are those contraventions details of which are set out in the declaration.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Contravention by lead auditor
(3) If an audit firm or audit company conducts:
(a) an audit or review of the financial report for a financial year; or
(b) an audit or review of the financial report for a half‑year;
the lead auditor for the audit must give the directors of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity:
(c) a written declaration that, to the best of the lead auditor’s knowledge and belief, there have been:
(i) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of this Act in relation to the audit or review; and
(ii) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit or review; or
(d) a written declaration that, to the best of the lead auditor’s knowledge and belief, the only contraventions of:
(i) the auditor independence requirements of this Act in relation to the audit or review; or
(ii) any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit or review;
are those contraventions details of which are set out in the declaration.
(4) An offence based on subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(5) The declaration under subsection (1) or (3):
(a) either:
(i) must be given when the audit report is given to the directors of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; or
(ii) must satisfy the conditions in subsection (5A); and
(b) must be signed by the person making the declaration.
(5A) A declaration under subsection (1) or (3) in relation to a financial report for a financial year or half‑year satisfies the conditions in this subsection if:
(a) the declaration is given to the directors of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity before the directors pass a resolution under subsection 298(2) or 306(3) (as the case requires) in relation to the directors’ report for the financial year or half‑year; and
(b) a director signs the directors’ report within 7 days after the declaration is given to the directors; and
(c) the auditor’s report on the financial report is made within 7 days after the directors’ report is signed; and
(d) the auditor’s report includes either of the following statements:
(i) a statement to the effect that the declaration would be in the same terms if it had been given to the directors at the time the auditor’s report was made;
(ii) a statement to the effect that circumstances have changed since the declaration was given to the directors, and setting out how the declaration would differ if it had been given to the directors at the time the auditor’s report was made.
(5B) An individual auditor or a lead auditor is not required to give a declaration under subsection (1) or (3) in respect of a contravention if:
(a) the contravention was a contravention by a person of subsection 324CE(2), 324CF(2) or 324CG(2); and
(b) the person does not commit an offence because of subsection 324CE(4), 324CF(4) or 324CG(4).
Self‑incrimination
(6) An individual is not excused from giving a declaration under subsection (1) or (3) on the ground that giving the declaration might tend to incriminate the individual or expose the individual to a penalty.
Use/derivative use indemnity
(7) However, neither:
(a) the information included in the declaration; nor
(b) any information, document or thing obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of including the information in the declaration;
is admissible in evidence against the individual in any criminal proceedings, or in any proceedings that would expose the person to a penalty, other than:
(c) proceedings for an offence against section 1308 or 1309 in relation to the declaration; or
(d) proceedings for an offence against section 137.1 or 137.2 of the Criminal Code (false or misleading information or documents) in relation to the declaration.
308 Auditor’s report on annual financial report
(1) An auditor who audits the financial report for a financial year must report to members on whether the auditor is of the opinion that the financial report is in accordance with this Act, including:
(a) section 296 (compliance with accounting standards); and
(b) section 297 (true and fair view).
If not of that opinion, the auditor’s report must say why.
(2) If the auditor is of the opinion that the financial report does not comply with an accounting standard, the auditor’s report must, to the extent it is practicable to do so, quantify the effect that non‑compliance has on the financial report. If it is not practicable to quantify the effect fully, the report must say why.
(3) The auditor’s report must describe:
(a) any defect or irregularity in the financial report; and
(b) any deficiency, failure or shortcoming in respect of the matters referred to in paragraph 307(b), (c) or (d).
(3AA) An auditor who reviews the financial report for a company limited by guarantee must report to members on whether the auditor became aware of any matter in the course of the review that makes the auditor believe that the financial report does not comply with Division 1.
(3AB) A report under subsection (3AA) must:
(a) describe any matter referred to in subsection (3AA); and
(b) say why that matter makes the auditor believe that the financial report does not comply with Division 1.
(3A) The auditor’s report must include any statements or disclosures required by the auditing standards.
(3B) If the financial report includes additional information under paragraph 295(3)(c) (information included to give true and fair view of financial position and performance), the auditor’s report must also include a statement of the auditor’s opinion on whether the inclusion of that additional information was necessary to give the true and fair view required by section 297.
(3C) If the directors’ report for the financial year includes a remuneration report, the auditor must also report to members on whether the auditor is of the opinion that the remuneration report complies with section 300A. If not of that opinion, the auditor’s report must say why.
(4) A report under subsection (1) or (3AA) must specify the date on which it is made.
(5) An offence based on subsection (1), (3), (3AA), (3AB), (3A), (3C) or (4) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
309 Auditor’s report on half‑year financial report
Audit of financial report
(1) An auditor who audits the financial report for a half‑year must report to members on whether the auditor is of the opinion that the financial report is in accordance with this Act, including:
(a) section 304 (compliance with accounting standards); and
(b) section 305 (true and fair view).
If not of that opinion, the auditor’s report must say why.
(2) If the auditor is of the opinion that the financial report does not comply with an accounting standard, the auditor’s report must, to the extent that it is practicable to do so, quantify the effect that non‑compliance has on the financial report. If it is not practicable to quantify the effect fully, the report must say why.
(3) The auditor’s report must describe:
(a) any defect or irregularity in the financial report; and
(b) any deficiency, failure or shortcoming in respect of the matters referred to in paragraph 307(b), (c) or (d).
Review of financial report
(4) An auditor who reviews the financial report for a half‑year must report to members on whether the auditor became aware of any matter in the course of the review that makes the auditor believe that the financial report does not comply with Division 2.
(5) A report under subsection (4) must:
(a) describe any matter referred to in subsection (4); and
(b) say why that matter makes the auditor believe that the financial report does not comply with Division 2.
(5A) The auditor’s report must include any statements or disclosures required by the auditing standards.
(5B) If the financial report includes additional information under paragraph 303(3)(c) (information included to give true and fair view of financial position and performance), the auditor’s report must also include a statement of the auditor’s opinion on whether the inclusion of that additional information was necessary to give the true and fair view required by section 305.
Report to specify day made
(6) A report under subsection (1) or (4) must specify the date on which it is made.
(7) An offence based on subsection (1), (3), (4), (5), (5A) or (6) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
310 Auditor’s power to obtain information
The auditor:
(a) has a right of access at all reasonable times to the books of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; and
(b) may require any officer to give the auditor information, explanations or other assistance for the purposes of the audit or review.
A request under paragraph (b) must be a reasonable one.
Contravention by individual auditor
(1) An individual auditor conducting an audit contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the auditor is aware of circumstances that:
(i) the auditor has reasonable grounds to suspect amount to a contravention of this Act; or
(ii) amount to an attempt, in relation to the audit, by any person to unduly influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead a person involved in the conduct of the audit (see subsection (6)); or
(iii) amount to an attempt, by any person, to otherwise interfere with the proper conduct of the audit; and
(b) if subparagraph (a)(i) applies:
(i) the contravention is a significant one; or
(ii) the contravention is not a significant one and the auditor believes that the contravention has not been or will not be adequately dealt with by commenting on it in the auditor’s report or bringing it to the attention of the directors; and
(c) the auditor does not notify ASIC in writing of those circumstances as soon as practicable, and in any case within 28 days, after the auditor becomes aware of those circumstances.
Contravention by audit company
(2) An audit company conducting an audit contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the lead auditor for the audit is aware of circumstances that:
(i) the lead auditor has reasonable grounds to suspect amount to a contravention of this Act; or
(ii) amount to an attempt, in relation to the audit, by any person to unduly influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead a person involved in the conduct of the audit (see subsection (6)); or
(iii) amount to an attempt, by any person, to otherwise interfere with the proper conduct of the audit; and
(b) if subparagraph (a)(i) applies:
(i) the contravention is a significant one; or
(ii) the contravention is not a significant one and the lead auditor believes that the contravention has not been or will not be adequately dealt with by commenting on it in the auditor’s report or bringing it to the attention of the directors; and
(c) the lead auditor does not notify ASIC in writing of those circumstances as soon as practicable, and in any case within 28 days, after the lead auditor becomes aware of those circumstances.
Contravention by lead auditor
(3) A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the person is the lead auditor for an audit; and
(b) the person is aware of circumstances that:
(i) the person has reasonable grounds to suspect amount to a contravention of this Act; or
(ii) amount to an attempt, in relation to the audit, by any person to unduly influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead a person involved in the conduct of the audit (see subsection (6)); or
(iii) amount to an attempt, by any person, to otherwise interfere with the proper conduct of the audit; and
(c) if subparagraph (b)(i) applies:
(i) the contravention is a significant one; or
(ii) the contravention is not a significant one and the person believes that the contravention has not been or will not be adequately dealt with by commenting on it in the auditor’s report or bringing it to the attention of the directors; and
(d) the person does not notify ASIC in writing of those circumstances as soon as practicable, and in any case within 28 days, after the person becomes aware of those circumstances.
Significant contraventions
(4) In determining for the purposes of this section whether a contravention of this Act is a significant one, have regard to:
(a) the level of penalty provided for in relation to the contravention; and
(b) the effect that the contravention has, or may have, on:
(i) the overall financial position of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; or
(ii) the adequacy of the information available about the overall financial position of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity; and
(c) any other relevant matter.
(5) Without limiting paragraph (4)(a), a penalty provided for in relation to a contravention of a provision of Part 2M.2 or 2M.3, or section 324DAA, 324DAB or 324DAC, includes a penalty imposed on a director, because of the operation of section 344, for failing to take reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, that provision.
Person involved in an audit
(6) In this section:
person involved in the conduct of an audit means:
(a) the auditor; or
(b) the lead auditor for the audit; or
(c) the review auditor for the audit; or
(d) a professional member of the audit team for the audit; or
(e) any other person involved in the conduct of the audit.
(1) An officer of a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must:
(a) allow the auditor access to the books of the company, scheme or entity; and
(b) give the auditor any information, explanation or assistance required under section 310.
Note: Books include registers and documents generally (not only the accounting “books”): see the definition of books in section 9.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
313 Special provisions on audit of debenture issuers and guarantors
Auditor to give trustee for debenture holders copies of reports, certificates etc.
(1) The auditor of a borrower in relation to debentures must give the trustee for debenture holders:
(a) a copy of any report, certificate or other document that the auditor must give the borrower or its members under this Act, the debentures or the trust deed; and
(b) a copy of any document that accompanies it.
The copies must be given within 7 days after the auditor gives the originals to the borrower or its members.
Auditor to report on matters prejudicial to debenture holders’ interests
(2) The auditor of a borrower, or guarantor, in relation to debentures must give the borrower or guarantor a written report about any matter that:
(a) the auditor became aware of in conducting the audit or review; and
(b) in the auditor’s opinion, is or is likely to be prejudicial to the interests of debenture holders; and
(c) in the auditor’s opinion, is relevant to the exercise of the powers of the trustee for debenture holders, or the performance of the trustee’s duties, under this Act or the trust deed.
The auditor must give a copy of the report to the trustee for debenture holders. The report and the copy must be given within 7 days after the auditor becomes aware of the matter.
(3) An offence based on subsection (1) or (2) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Division 4—Annual financial reporting to members
314 Annual financial reporting by companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities to members
(1) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must report to members for a financial year by providing either of the following in accordance with subsection (1AA), (1AE) or (1AF):
(a) all of the following reports (that are required to be prepared):
(i) the financial report for the year;
(ii) the directors’ report for the year (see sections 298 to 300A);
(iii) the auditor’s report on the financial report;
(b) a concise report for the year that complies with subsection (2).
(1AAA) This section does not apply to a company limited by guarantee.
Note: The requirement for annual financial reporting to members for those companies is in section 316A.
(1AA) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity may provide the reports, or the concise report, for a financial year by doing all of the following:
(a) sending, to each member who has made the election referred to in paragraph (1AB)(a):
(i) a hard copy of the reports, or the concise report; or
(ii) if the member has elected to receive the reports, or the concise report, as an electronic copy in accordance paragraph (1AB)(c)—an electronic copy of the reports, or the concise reports;
(b) making a copy of the reports, or the concise report, readily accessible on a website;
(c) directly notifying, in writing, all members who did not make the election referred to in paragraph (1AB)(a) that the copy is accessible on the website, and specifying the direct address on the website where the reports, or the concise report, may be accessed.
Note: A direct address may be specified, for example, by specifying the URL of the reports or the concise report.
(1AB) For the purposes of paragraph (1AA)(a), a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must, on at least one occasion, directly notify in writing each member that:
(a) the member may elect to receive, free of charge, a copy of the reports for each financial year, or a copy of the concise report for each financial year; and
(b) if the member does not so elect—the member may access the reports, or the concise report, on a specified website; and
(c) if the member does so elect and the company, scheme or entity offers to send the report either as a hard copy or an electronic copy—the member may elect to receive the copy as either a hard copy or an electronic copy.
(1AC) An election made under subsection (1AB) is a standing election for each later financial year until the member changes his, her or its election.
Note: The member may request, under section 316, the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity not to send them material under this section.
(1AD) A member may, for the purposes of paragraph (1AA)(c) or subsection (1AB), be notified by electronic means only if the member has previously nominated that means as one by which the member may be notified.
(1AE) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity may provide the reports, or the concise report, by sending each member:
(a) a hard copy of the reports, or the concise report; or
(b) an electronic copy of the reports, or the concise report, if the member has nominated that means as one by which the member may be sent the reports or the concise report.
(1AF) If a company:
(a) is a public company that is covered under section 738ZI at the end of the financial year mentioned in subsection (1); or
(b) is a small proprietary company that has one or more CSF shareholders at any time during the financial year mentioned in subsection (1);
it may provide the reports, or the concise report, for that financial year by making a copy of the reports, or the concise report, readily accessible on a website. The company also need not comply with subsection (1AB).
(1A) An offence based on subsection (1) or (1AB) is an offence of strict liability.
Concise report
(2) A concise report for a financial year consists of:
(a) a concise financial report for the year drawn up in accordance with accounting standards made for the purposes of this paragraph; and
(b) the directors’ report for the year (see sections 298‑300A); and
(c) a statement by the auditor:
(i) that the financial report has been audited; and
(ii) whether, in the auditor’s opinion, the concise financial report complies with the accounting standards made for the purposes of paragraph (a); and
(d) a copy of any qualification in, and of any statements included in the emphasis of matter section of, the auditor’s report on the financial report; and
(e) a statement that the report is a concise report and that the full financial report and auditor’s report will be sent to the member free of charge if the member asks for them.
(2A) If paragraph (1AF)(a) or (b) applies to the company for the financial year mentioned in subsection (1), apply subsection (2) to the company in relation to that financial year with the following modifications:
(a) insert the words “if the company’s financial report for the year is required to be audited—” at the start of each of paragraphs (2)(c) and (d);
(b) omit the words “and that the full financial report and auditor’s report will be sent to the member free of charge if the member asks for them” in paragraph (2)(e).
(3) If the accounting standards made for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a) require a discussion and analysis to be included in a concise financial report:
(a) the auditor must report on whether the discussion and analysis complies with the requirements that the accounting standards lay down for the discussion and analysis; and
(b) the auditor does not otherwise need to audit the statements made in the discussion and analysis.
314A Annual financial reporting by notified foreign passport funds to Australian members
(1) A notified foreign passport fund must report to Australian members of the fund for each financial year for the fund by providing Australian members with each of the following:
(a) a copy of a report for the fund for the year, prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements applying to the fund under the Passport Rules for the home economy for the fund;
(b) a copy of each auditor’s report that relates to the report mentioned in paragraph (a).
Note: Under the Passport Rules for this jurisdiction, the operator of a notified foreign passport fund must ensure that the financial report for the fund is audited and an audit report prepared.
(2) A notified foreign passport fund may provide the reports for a financial year by doing all of the following:
(a) sending, to each Australian member of the fund who has made the election referred to in paragraph (3)(a):
(i) a hard copy of the reports; or
(ii) if the member has elected to receive the reports as an electronic copy in accordance paragraph (3)(c)—an electronic copy of the reports;
(b) making a copy of the reports readily accessible, in English, on a website;
(c) directly notifying, in writing, all members who did not make the election referred to in paragraph (3)(a) that the copy is accessible on the website, and specifying the direct address on the website where the reports may be accessed.
Note: A direct address may be specified, for example, by specifying the URL of the reports.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), a notified foreign passport fund must, on at least one occasion, directly notify in writing each Australian member of the fund that:
(a) the member may elect to receive, free of charge, a copy of the reports for each financial year for the fund; and
(b) if the member does not so elect—the member may access the report on a specified website; and
(c) if the member elects to receive reports under paragraph (a) and the fund offers to send reports either as a hard copy or an electronic copy—the member may elect to receive the copy as either a hard copy or an electronic copy; and
(d) if the member elects to receive reports under paragraph (a), the member may elect to receive the reports in English, or in an official language of the home economy of the fund.
(4) An election made under subsection (3) is a standing election for each later financial year for the fund until the member changes his, her or its election.
(5) An Australian member of the fund may, for the purposes of paragraph (2)(c) or subsection (3), be notified by electronic means only if the member has previously nominated that means as one by which the member may be notified.
(6) A notified foreign passport fund may provide the reports by sending each Australian member of the fund:
(a) a hard copy of the reports; or
(b) an electronic copy of the reports if the member has nominated that means as one by which the member may be sent the reports.
(7) A notified foreign passport fund must provide the reports in the following language:
(a) if the member elects under paragraph 314A(3)(d) to receive reports in English or in an official language of the home economy of the fund—in the language elected by the member;
(b) otherwise—in English.
(8) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to an Australian member of the fund for a financial year if the member has elected under subsection 316AA(1) not to receive the report for the year.
(9) An offence based on subsection (1), (3) or (7) is an offence of strict liability.
315 Deadline for reporting to members
Public companies and disclosing entities that are not registered schemes
(1) A public company, or a disclosing entity that is not a registered scheme, must report to members under section 314 by the earlier of:
(a) 21 days before the next AGM after the end of the financial year; or
(b) 4 months after the end of the financial year.
Note: For the deadline for holding an AGM, see section 250N.
Small proprietary companies (shareholder direction under section 293)
(2) If a shareholder direction is given to a small proprietary company under section 293 after the end of the financial year, the company must report to members under section 314 by the later of:
(a) 2 months after the date on which the direction is given; and
(b) 4 months after the end of the financial year.
Registered schemes
(3) A registered scheme must report to members under section 314 within 3 months after the end of the financial year.
Notified foreign passport funds
(3A) A notified foreign passport fund must report to Australian members of the fund under section 314A within 3 months after the end of the financial year for the fund.
Other proprietary companies
(4) A proprietary company that is not covered by subsection (1) or (2) must report to members under section 314 within 4 months after the end of the financial year.
(5) For the purposes of this section, a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity that reports in accordance with subsection 314(1AA) is taken to report at the time that the company, scheme or entity has fully complied with the requirements of that subsection.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a notified foreign passport fund that reports in accordance with subsection 314A(2) is taken to report at the time the fund has fully complied with the requirements of that subsection.
316 Choices for members of companies, registered schemes or disclosing entities
(1) A member may request the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity:
(a) not to send them the material required by section 314; or
(b) to send them a full financial report and the directors’ report and auditor’s report.
A request may be a standing request or for a particular financial year. The member is not entitled to a report for a financial year earlier than the one before the financial year in which the request is made.
(2) The time for complying with a request under paragraph (1)(b) is:
(a) 7 days after the request is received; or
(b) the deadline for reporting under section 315;
whichever is later.
(3) A full financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report are to be sent free of charge unless the member has already received a copy of them free of charge.
(4) An offence based on subsection (2) or (3) is an offence of strict liability.
(5) This section does not apply in relation to a company limited by guarantee.
316AA Choices for Australian members of notified foreign passport funds
(1) An Australian member of a notified foreign passport fund may request the fund not to send the member one or more of the reports required under subsection 314A(1).
(2) A request under subsection (1) may be a standing request or for a particular financial year for the fund.
316A Annual financial reporting to members of companies limited by guarantee
(1) A member of a company limited by guarantee may, by notice in writing to the company, elect to receive a hard copy or an electronic copy of the following reports:
(a) the financial reports;
(b) the directors’ reports;
(c) the auditor’s reports.
(2) If a member makes an election in a financial year, the election:
(a) is made by the member for that financial year; and
(b) is a standing election made by the member for each later financial year until the member changes the election.
(3) If the company prepares a financial report or a directors’ report for a financial year, or obtains an auditor’s report on the financial report, the company must send a copy of the report, free of charge, to each member who has made an election for that financial year, in accordance with the election, by the earlier of:
(a) 21 days before the next AGM after the end of the financial year; and
(b) 4 months after the end of the financial year.
Note: For the deadline for holding an AGM, see section 250N.
(4) If a member direction is given to a small company limited by guarantee under section 294A after the end of a financial year, subsection (3) does not apply and the company must send a copy of the reports that the company prepares or obtains as a result of the direction to each member who has made an election for that financial year, in accordance with the election, by the later of:
(a) 2 months after the date on which the direction was given; and
(b) 4 months after the end of the financial year.
(5) An offence based on subsection (3) or (4) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
317 Consideration of reports at AGM
(1) The directors of a public company that is required to hold an AGM must lay before the AGM:
(a) the financial report; and
(b) the directors’ report; and
(c) the auditor’s report;
for the last financial year that ended before the AGM.
Note 1: If the company’s first AGM is held before the end of its first financial year, there will be no reports to lay before the meeting.
Note 2: A public company that has only 1 member is not required to hold an AGM (see section 250N).
Note 3: Section 250RA imposes on the auditor of a listed public company an obligation to attend or be represented at the AGM.
(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to a small company limited by guarantee in relation to a report if the company is not required under a member direction made under section 294A or an ASIC direction made under section 294B to prepare or obtain the report.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
318 Additional reporting by debenture issuers
(1) A company or disclosing entity that was a borrower in relation to debentures at the end of a financial year must give a copy of the annual financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report to the trustee for debenture holders by the deadline for the financial year set by section 315.
(2) A debenture holder may ask the company or disclosing entity that issued the debenture for copies of:
(a) the last reports provided to members under section 314; or
(b) the full financial report and the directors’ report and auditor’s report for the last financial year.
(3) The company or entity must give the debenture holder the copies as soon as practicable after the request and free of charge.
(4) A disclosing entity that was a borrower in relation to debentures at the end of a half‑year must give a copy of the half‑year financial report, directors’ report and auditor’s report to the trustee for debenture holders within 75 days after the end of the half‑year.
(5) An offence based on subsection (1), (3) or (4) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Division 5—Lodging reports with ASIC
319 Lodgment of annual reports with ASIC
(1) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity that has to prepare or obtain a report for a financial year under Division 1 must lodge the report with ASIC. This obligation extends to a concise report provided to members under section 314.
(1AA) A notified foreign passport fund must lodge each of the following with ASIC for each financial year for the fund:
(a) a copy of a report for the fund for the year, prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements applying to the fund under the Passport Rules for the home economy for the fund;
(b) a copy of each auditor’s report that relates to the report mentioned in paragraph (a).
(1A) An offence based on subsection (1) or (1AA) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to:
(a) a small proprietary company that prepares a report in response to:
(i) a shareholder direction under section 293; or
(ii) an ASIC direction under section 294;
if paragraph 292(2)(c) (about having CSF shareholders) does not also apply to the company for the financial year; and
(b) a small company limited by guarantee that prepares a report in response to a member direction under section 294A or an ASIC direction under section 294B.
(3) The time for lodgment is:
(a) within 3 months after the end of the financial year for a disclosing entity, registered scheme or notified foreign passport fund; and
(b) within 4 months after the end of the financial year for anyone else.
320 Lodgment of half‑year reports with ASIC
(1) A disclosing entity that has to prepare or obtain a report for a half‑year under Division 2 must lodge the report with ASIC within 75 days after the end of the half‑year.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
321 ASIC power to require lodgment
(1) ASIC may give a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity a direction to lodge with ASIC a copy of reports prepared or obtained by it under Division 1 or 2.
(1AA) ASIC may give a notified foreign passport fund a direction to lodge with ASIC:
(a) a copy of a report for the fund for a financial year, prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements applying to the fund under the Passport Rules for the home economy for the fund; and
(b) a copy of each auditor’s report that relates to the report mentioned in paragraph (a).
(1A) An offence based on subsection (1) or (1AA) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(2) The direction must:
(a) be made in writing; and
(b) specify the period or periods concerned; and
(c) be made no later than 6 years after the end of the period or periods; and
(d) specify the date by which the documents have to be lodged.
The date specified under paragraph (d) must be at least 14 days after the date on which the direction is given.
322 Relodgment if financial statements or directors’ reports amended after lodgment
Financial reports and directors’ reports lodged by companies, registered schemes or disclosing entities
(1) If a financial report or directors’ report is amended after it is lodged with ASIC, the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity must:
(a) lodge the amended report with ASIC within 14 days after the amendment; and
(b) give a copy of the amended report free of charge to any member who asks for it.
Reports on financial matters lodged by notified foreign passport funds
(1A) If a report lodged with ASIC by a notified foreign passport fund is amended after it is lodged with ASIC, the notified foreign passport fund must:
(a) lodge the amended report with ASIC within 14 days after the amendment; and
(b) give a copy of the amended report free of charge to any Australian member who asks for it.
Notifying members if there is a material amendment
(2) If the amendment is a material one, the company, registered scheme, notified foreign passport fund or disclosing entity must also notify members as soon as practicable of:
(a) the nature of the amendment; and
(b) their right to obtain a copy of the amended report under subsection (1) or (1A).
Offence
(3) An offence based on subsection (1), (1A) or (2) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Division 6—Special provisions about consolidated financial statements
323 Directors and officers of controlled entity to give information
(1) If a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has to prepare consolidated financial statements, a director or officer of a controlled entity must give the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity all information requested that is necessary to prepare the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
323A Auditor’s power to obtain information from controlled entity
(1) An auditor who audits or reviews a financial report that includes consolidated financial statements:
(a) has a right of access at all reasonable times to the books of any controlled entity; and
(b) may require any officer of the entity to give the auditor information, explanations or other assistance for the purposes of the audit or review.
A request under paragraph (b) must be a reasonable one.
(2) The information, explanations or other assistance required under paragraph (1)(b) is to be given at the expense of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity whose financial report is being audited or reviewed.
323B Controlled entity to assist auditor
(1) If a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity has to prepare a financial report that includes consolidated financial statements, an officer or auditor of a controlled entity must:
(a) allow the auditor for the company, scheme or entity access to the controlled entity’s books; and
(b) give the auditor any information, explanation or assistance required under section 323A.
(2) An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
323C Application of Division to entity that has ceased to be controlled
Sections 323, 323A and 323B apply to the preparation or audit of a financial report that covers a controlled entity even if the entity is no longer controlled by the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity whose financial report is being prepared or audited.
Division 7—Financial years and half‑years
323D Financial years and half‑years for companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
First financial year
(1) The first financial year for a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity starts on the day on which it is registered or incorporated. It lasts for 12 months or the period (not longer than 18 months) determined by the directors.
Financial years after first year
(2) Subject to subsections (2A) and (4), subsequent financial years must:
(a) start at the end of the previous financial year; and
(b) be 12 months long.
The directors may determine that the financial year is to be shorter or longer (but not by more than 7 days).
(2A) A subsequent financial year may last for a period of less than 12 months determined by the directors if:
(a) the subsequent financial year starts at the end of the previous financial year; and
(b) there has not been a period during the previous 5 financial years in which there was a financial year of less than 12 months in reliance on this subsection; and
(c) the change to the subsequent financial year is made in good faith in the best interests of the company, registered scheme or disclosing entity.
Note: For the purposes of paragraph (b), financial years that, in reliance on subsection (2) or (4), were less than 12 months are disregarded.
Synchronisation of financial years where consolidated financial statements are required
(3) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity that has to prepare consolidated financial statements must do whatever is necessary to ensure that the financial years of the consolidated entities are synchronised with its own financial years. It must achieve this synchronisation by the end of 12 months after the situation that calls for consolidation arises.
(3A) An offence based on subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(4) To facilitate this synchronisation, the financial year for a controlled entity may be extended or shortened. The extended financial year cannot be longer than 18 months.
Half‑years
(5) A half‑year for a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity is the first 6 months of a financial year. The directors may determine that the half‑year is to be shorter or longer (but not by more than 7 days).
323DAA Financial years for notified foreign passport funds
A financial year for a notified foreign passport fund means:
(a) a period of 12 months in relation to which the operator of the fund must, under the Passport Rules for the home economy for the fund, prepare a report in accordance with the financial reporting requirements applying to the fund under those Passport Rules; or
(b) if, under the law of the home economy for the fund, an exception allows a report in accordance with the financial reporting requirements applying to the fund under the Passport Rules for the home economy for the fund to be prepared for a shorter or longer period—that period.
Division 8—Disclosure by listed companies of information filed overseas
323DA Listed companies to disclose information filed overseas
(1) A company that discloses information to, or as required by:
(a) the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America; or
(b) the New York Stock Exchange; or
(c) a financial market in a foreign country if that financial market is prescribed by regulations made for the purposes of this paragraph;
must disclose that information in English to each relevant market operator, if the company is listed on the next business day after doing so.
(3) This section applies despite anything in the company’s constitution.
Part 2M.4—Appointment and removal of auditors
Division 1—Entities that may be appointed as an auditor for a company or registered scheme
324AA Individual auditors, audit firms and authorised audit companies
Subject to this Part, the following may be appointed as auditor for a company or a registered scheme for the purposes of this Act:
(a) an individual;
(b) a firm;
(c) a company.
The company or registered scheme may have more than one auditor.
324AB Effect of appointing firm as auditor—general
(1) The appointment of a firm as auditor of a company or registered scheme is taken to be an appointment of all persons who, at the date of the appointment, are:
(a) members of the firm; and
(b) registered company auditors.
This is so whether or not those persons are resident in Australia.
(2) The appointment of the members of a firm as auditors of a company or registered scheme that is taken by subsection (1) to have been made because of the appointment of the firm as auditor of the company or scheme is not affected by the dissolution of the firm. This subsection has effect subject to section 324AC.
(3) A report or notice that purports to be made or given by a firm appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme is not taken to be duly made or given unless it is signed by a member of the firm who is a registered company auditor both:
(a) in the firm name; and
(b) in his or her own name.
(4) A notice required or permitted to be given to an audit firm under the Corporations legislation may be given to the firm by giving the notice to a member of the firm.
(5) For the purposes of criminal proceedings under this Act against a member of an audit firm, an act or omission by:
(a) a member of the firm; or
(b) an employee or agent of the audit firm;
acting within the actual or apparent scope of his or her employment, or within his or her actual or apparent authority, is also to be attributed to the audit firm.
324AC Effect of appointing firm as auditor—reconstitution of firm
Reconstitution of firm
(1) This section deals with the situation in which:
(a) a firm is appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) the firm is reconstituted because of either or both of the following:
(i) the death, retirement or withdrawal of a member or members; or
(ii) the admission of a new member or new members.
Retiring or withdrawing member
(2) A person who:
(a) is taken under subsection 324AB(1) to be an auditor of the company; and
(b) retires or withdraws from the firm as previously constituted as mentioned in subparagraph (1)(b)(i) of this section;
is taken to resign as auditor of the company as from the day of his or her retirement or withdrawal.
(3) Section 329 does not apply to the resignation that is taken to occur under subsection (2) unless:
(a) the person who is taken to have resigned was the only member of the firm who was a registered company auditor; and
(b) there is no member of the firm who is a registered company auditor after that person retires or withdraws from the firm.
New member
(4) A person who:
(a) is a registered company auditor; and
(b) is admitted to the firm as mentioned in subparagraph (1)(b)(ii);
is taken to have been appointed as an auditor of the company or registered scheme as from the day of his or her admission to the firm.
Appointments of continuing members not affected
(5) The reconstitution of the firm does not affect the appointment of the continuing members of the firm who are registered company auditors as auditors of the company or registered scheme.
(6) Nothing in this section affects the operation of section 324BB.
324AD Effect of appointing company as auditor
(1) A report or notice that purports to be made or given by an audit company appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme is not taken to be duly made or given unless it is signed by a director of the audit company (or the lead auditor or review auditor for the audit) both:
(a) in the audit company’s name; and
(b) in his or her own name.
(2) For the purposes of criminal proceedings under this Act against a director of an audit company, an act or omission by:
(a) an officer of the audit company; or
(b) an employee or agent of the audit company;
acting within the actual or apparent scope of his or her employment, or within his or her actual or apparent authority, is also to be attributed to the audit company.
324AE Professional members of the audit team
If an individual auditor, audit firm or audit company conducts an audit of a company or registered scheme, the professional members of the audit team are:
(a) any registered company auditor who participates in the conduct of the audit; and
(b) any other person who participates in the conduct of the audit and, in the course of doing so, exercises professional judgment in relation to the application of or compliance with:
(i) accounting standards; or
(ii) auditing standards; or
(iii) the provisions of this Act dealing with financial reporting and the conduct of audits; and
(c) any other person who is in a position to directly influence the outcome of the audit because of the role they play in the design, planning, management, supervision or oversight of the audit; and
(d) any person who recommends or decides what the lead auditor is to be paid in connection with the performance of the audit; and
(e) any person who provides, or takes part in providing, quality control for the audit.
324AF Lead and review auditors
Lead auditor
(1) If an audit firm or audit company conducts an audit of a company or registered scheme, the lead auditor for the audit is the registered company auditor who is primarily responsible to the audit firm or the audit company for the conduct of the audit.
Review auditor
(2) If an individual auditor, audit firm or audit company conducts an audit of a company or registered scheme, the review auditor for the audit is the registered company auditor (if any) who is primarily responsible to the individual auditor, the audit firm or the audit company for reviewing the conduct of the audit.
Division 2—Registration requirements
324BA Registration requirements for appointment of individual as auditor
Subject to section 324BD, an individual contravenes this section if:
(a) the individual:
(i) consents to be appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(ii) acts as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(iii) prepares a report required by this Act to be prepared by a registered company auditor or by an auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) the person is not a registered company auditor.
324BB Registration requirements for appointment of firm as auditor
Contraventions by members of firm
(1) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) at a particular time, a firm:
(i) consents to be appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(ii) acts as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(iii) prepares a report required by this Act to be prepared by a registered company auditor or by an auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) at that time, the firm:
(i) does not satisfy subsection (5); or
(ii) does not satisfy subsection (6); and
(c) the defendant is a member of the firm at that time; and
(d) the defendant is aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) at that time.
(2) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) at a particular time, a firm:
(i) consents to be appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(ii) acts as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(iii) prepares a report required by this Act to be prepared by a registered company auditor or by an auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) at that time, the firm:
(i) does not satisfy subsection (5); or
(ii) does not satisfy subsection (6); and
(c) the defendant is a member of the firm at that time.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (4) provides a defence.
(4) A member of an audit firm does not commit an offence at a particular time because of a contravention of subsection (2) if the member either:
(a) does not know at that time of the circumstances that constitute the contravention of subsection (2); or
(b) does know of those circumstances at that time but takes all reasonable steps to correct the contravention as soon as possible after the member becomes aware of those circumstances.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Registered company auditor requirement
(5) The firm satisfies this subsection if at least 1 member of the firm is a registered company auditor who is ordinarily resident in Australia.
Business name or members names requirement
(6) The firm satisfies this subsection if:
(a) the business name under which the firm is carrying on business is registered on the Business Names Register; or
(b) a return in the prescribed form has been lodged showing, in relation to each member of the firm, the member’s full name and address as at the time when the firm so consents, acts or prepares a report.
324BC Registration requirements for appointment of company as auditor
Contravention by company
(1) A company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the company:
(i) consents to be appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(ii) acts as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(iii) prepares a report required by this Act to be prepared by a registered company auditor or by an auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) the company is not an authorised audit company.
Contraventions by directors of company
(2) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) at a particular time, a company:
(i) consents to be appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(ii) acts as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(iii) prepares a report required by this Act to be prepared by a registered company auditor or by an auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) at that time, the company is not an authorised audit company; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the company at that time; and
(d) the defendant is aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) at that time.
(3) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) at a particular time, a company:
(i) consents to be appointed as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(ii) acts as auditor of a company or registered scheme; or
(iii) prepares a report required by this Act to be prepared by a registered company auditor or by an auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) at that time, the company is not an authorised audit company; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the company at that time.
(4) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (3), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (3)(a) and (b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (5) provides a defence.
(5) A director of a company does not commit an offence at a particular time because of a contravention of subsection (3) if the director either:
(a) does not know at that time of the circumstances that constitute the contravention of subsection (3); or
(b) knows of those circumstances at that time but takes all reasonable steps to correct the contravention of subsection (3) as soon as possible after the director becomes aware of those circumstances.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
324BD Exception from registration requirement for proprietary company
(1) An individual who is not a registered company auditor may be appointed as auditor of a proprietary company if:
(a) ASIC is satisfied that it is impracticable for a proprietary company to obtain the services of:
(i) an individual who could be appointed as auditor consistently with section 324BA; or
(ii) a firm that could be appointed as auditor consistently with section 324BB; or
(iii) a company that could be appointed consistently with section 324BC;
because of the place where the company carries on business; and
(b) ASIC is satisfied that the individual is suitably qualified or experienced; and
(c) ASIC approves the individual for the purposes of this Act in relation to the audit of the company’s financial reports.
The appointment is subject to such terms and conditions as are specified in the approval under paragraph (c).
(2) If an individual is appointed in accordance with subsection (1):
(a) the individual is taken to be a registered company auditor in relation to the auditing of any of the company’s financial reports; and
(b) the provisions of this Act apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to the individual accordingly.
Paragraph (a) has effect subject to the terms and conditions of the approval under subsection (1).
(3) If an individual approved by ASIC under subsection (1) is acting as auditor of a company, ASIC may at any time, by notice in writing given to the company:
(a) amend, revoke or vary the terms and conditions of its approval; or
(b) terminate the appointment of that individual as auditor of the company.
(4) A notice under subsection (3) terminating the appointment of an individual as auditor of a company takes effect as if, on the date on which the notice is received by the company, the company had received from the individual notice of the individual’s resignation as auditor taking effect from that date.
(1) An individual is taken to be a registered company auditor for the purposes of a review of a financial report of a company limited by guarantee if the individual:
(a) is a member of a professional accounting body; and
(b) has a designation, in respect of that membership, prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.
(2) The provisions of this Act apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to the individual accordingly.
Division 3—Auditor independence
Subdivision A—General requirement
324CA General requirement for auditor independence—auditors
Contravention by individual auditor or audit company
(1) An individual auditor or audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual auditor or audit company engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at that time; and
(c) at that time:
(i) in the case of an individual auditor—the individual auditor is aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; or
(ii) in the case of an audit company—the audit company is aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(d) the individual auditor or audit company does not, as soon as possible after the individual auditor or the audit company becomes aware that the conflict of interest situation exists, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the conflict of interest situation ceases to exist.
Note: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Individual auditor or audit company to notify ASIC
(1A) An individual auditor or audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual auditor or audit company is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body while the individual auditor or audit company is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) on a particular day (the start day):
(i) in the case of an individual auditor—the individual auditor becomes aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; or
(ii) in the case of an audit company—the audit company becomes aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(d) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) the conflict of interest situation remains in existence; and
(ii) the individual auditor or audit company has not informed ASIC in writing that the conflict of interest situation exists.
Note 1: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Note 2: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2A) or (2C) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(3) or (5) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2A) or (2C) (registered scheme).
(1B) A person is not excused from informing ASIC under subsection (1A) that a conflict of interest situation exists on the ground that the information might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
(1C) However, if the person is a natural person:
(a) the information; and
(b) the giving of the information;
are not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal proceeding, or any other proceeding for the recovery of a penalty, other than proceedings for an offence based on the information given being false or misleading.
(1D) If the individual auditor or audit company gives ASIC a notice under paragraph (1A)(d), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice has been received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Conflict of interest situation of which individual auditor or audit company is not aware
(2) An individual auditor or audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual auditor or audit company engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at the time; and
(c) at that time:
(i) in the case of an individual auditor—the individual auditor is not aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; or
(ii) in the case of an audit company—the audit company is not aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(d) the individual auditor or the audit company would have been aware of the existence of the conflict of interest situation at that time if the individual auditor or audit company had had in place a quality control system reasonably capable of making the individual auditor or audit company aware of the existence of such a conflict of interest situation.
Note: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical element of the offence specified in paragraph (2)(b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsections (4) and (5) provide defences.
(4) An individual auditor does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) in relation to audit activity engaged in by the auditor at a particular time if the individual auditor has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual auditor had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the individual auditor) that the individual auditor and the individual auditor’s employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
(5) An audit company does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) in relation to audit activity engaged in by the audit company at a particular time if the audit company has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit company had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit company) that the audit company and the audit company’s employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Relationship between obligations under this section and other obligations
(6) The obligations imposed by this section are in addition to, and do not derogate from, any obligation imposed by:
(a) another provision of this Act; or
(b) a code of professional conduct.
Note: Paragraph (a)—see, for example, the specific obligations imposed by Subdivision B.
324CB General requirement for auditor independence—member of audit firm
Contravention by member of audit firm
(1) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at that time; and
(c) the defendant is a member of the audit firm at that time; and
(d) the defendant is or becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) the defendant does not, as soon as possible after the defendant becomes aware of those circumstances, take reasonable steps to ensure that the conflict of interest situation ceases to exist.
Note: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Member of audit firm to notify ASIC
(1A) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body while the audit firm is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) the defendant is a member of the audit firm at a time when the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(d) on a particular day (the start day), the defendant becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) the conflict of interest situation remains in existence; and
(ii) ASIC has not been informed in writing by the defendant, by another member of the audit firm or by someone else on behalf of the audit firm that the conflict of interest situation exists.
Note 1: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Note 2: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2B) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(4) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2B) (registered scheme).
(1B) A person is not excused from informing ASIC under subsection (1A) that a conflict of interest situation exists on the ground that the information might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
(1C) However:
(a) the information; and
(b) the giving of the information;
are not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal proceeding, or any other proceeding for the recovery of a penalty, other than proceedings for an offence based on the information given being false or misleading.
(1D) If ASIC is given a notice under paragraph (1A)(e), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice is received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Conflict of interest situation of which another member of audit firm is aware
(2) A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at the time; and
(c) the person is a member of the audit firm at that time; and
(d) at that time, another member of the audit firm is aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(e) the audit firm does not, as soon as possible after the member referred to in paragraph (d) becomes aware that the conflict of interest situation exists, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the conflict of interest situation ceases to exist.
Note: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), (d) and (e).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (6) provides a defence.
Conflict of interest situation of which members are not aware
(4) A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at the time; and
(c) the person is a member of the audit firm at that time; and
(d) at that time none of the members of the audit firm is aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(e) a member of the audit firm would have been aware of the existence of the conflict of interest situation if the audit firm had in place a quality control system reasonably capable of making the audit firm aware of the existence of such a conflict of interest situation.
Note: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
(5) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (4), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (4)(a), (b), (d) and (e).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (6) provides a defence.
Defence
(6) A person does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) or (4) in relation to audit activity engaged in by an audit firm at a particular time if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit firm had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit firm) that the audit firm and its employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Relationship between obligations under this section and other obligations
(7) The obligations imposed by this section are in addition to, and do not derogate from, any obligation imposed by:
(a) another provision of this Act; or
(b) a code of professional conduct.
Note: Paragraph (a)—see, for example, the specific obligations imposed by Subdivision B.
324CC General requirement for auditor independence—director of audit company
Contravention by director of audit company
(1) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at that time; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the audit company at that time; and
(d) the defendant is or becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) the defendant does not, as soon as possible after the defendant becomes aware of those circumstances, take reasonable steps to ensure that the conflict of interest situation ceases to exist.
Note 1: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Note 2: The audit company itself will commit an offence based on the contravention of subsection 324AA(1).
Director of audit company to notify ASIC
(1A) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body while the audit company is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the audit company at a time when the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(d) on a particular day (the start day), the defendant becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) the conflict of interest situation remains in existence; and
(ii) ASIC has not been informed in writing by the defendant, by another director of the audit company or by the audit company that the conflict of interest situation exists.
Note 1: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Note 2: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2C) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(5) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2C) (registered scheme).
(1B) A person is not excused from informing ASIC under subsection (1A) that a conflict of interest situation exists on the ground that the information might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
(1C) However, if the person is a natural person:
(a) the information; and
(b) the giving of the information;
are not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal proceeding, or any other proceeding for the recovery of a penalty, other than proceedings for an offence based on the information given being false or misleading.
(1D) If ASIC is given a notice under paragraph (1A)(e), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice is received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Conflict of interest situation of which another director of audit company aware
(2) A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at the time; and
(c) the person is a director of the audit company at that time; and
(d) at that time, another director of the audit company is aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(e) the audit company does not, as soon as possible after the director referred to in paragraph (d) becomes aware that the conflict of interest situation exists, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the conflict of interest situation ceases to exist.
Note 1: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Note 2: The company itself will commit an offence based on the contravention of subsection 324AA(1).
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), (d) and (e).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (6) provides a defence.
Conflict of interest situation of which directors of audit company not aware
(4) A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company engages in audit activity in relation to an audited body at a particular time; and
(b) a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to the audited body at the time; and
(c) the person is a director of the audit company at that time; and
(d) at that time none of the directors of the audit company is aware that the conflict of interest situation exists; and
(e) a director of the audit company would have been aware of the existence of the conflict of interest situation if the audit company had in place a quality control system reasonably capable of making the audit company aware of the existence of such a conflict of interest situation.
Note 1: For conflict of interest situation, see section 324CD.
Note 2: The company itself will commit an offence based on the contravention of subsection 324AA(2).
(5) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (4), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (4)(a), (b), (d) and (e).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (6) provides a defence.
Defence
(6) A person does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) or (4) in relation to audit activity engaged in by an audit company at a particular time if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit company had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit company) that the audit company and its employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Relationship between obligations under this section and other obligations
(7) The obligations imposed by this section are in addition to, and do not derogate from, any obligation imposed by:
(a) another provision of this Act; or
(b) a code of professional conduct.
Note: Paragraph (a)—see, for example, the specific obligations imposed by Subdivision B.
324CD Conflict of interest situation
(1) For the purposes of sections 324CA, 324CB and 324CC, a conflict of interest situation exists in relation to an audited body at a particular time if, because of circumstances that exist at that time:
(a) the auditor, or a professional member of the audit team, is not capable of exercising objective and impartial judgment in relation to the conduct of the audit of the audited body; or
(b) a reasonable person, with full knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances, would conclude that the auditor, or a professional member of the audit team, is not capable of exercising objective and impartial judgment in relation to the conduct of the audit of the audited body.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), have regard to circumstances arising from any relationship that exists, has existed, or is likely to exist, between:
(a) the individual auditor; or
(b) the audit firm or any current or former member of the firm; or
(c) the audit company, any current or former director of the audit company or any person currently or formerly involved in the management of the audit company;
and any of the persons and bodies set out in the following table:
Relevant relationships | ||
Item | If the audited body is… | have regard to any relationship with… |
1 | a company | the company; or a current or former director of the company; or a person currently or formerly involved in the management of the company. |
2 | a disclosing entity | the entity; or a current or former director of the entity; or a person currently or formerly involved in the management of the entity. |
3 | a registered scheme | the responsible entity for the registered scheme; or a current or former director of the responsible entity; or a person currently or formerly involved in the management of the scheme; or a person currently or formerly involved in the management of the responsible entity. |
Subdivision B—Specific requirements
324CE Auditor independence—specific requirements for individual auditor
Specific independence requirements for individual auditor
(1) An individual auditor contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual auditor engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (5) of this section; and
(c) the individual auditor is or becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b); and
(d) the individual auditor does not, as soon as possible after the individual auditor becomes aware of those circumstances, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the individual auditor does not continue to engage in audit activity in those circumstances.
Individual auditor to notify ASIC
(1A) An individual auditor contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual auditor is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies to a person or entity covered by subsection (5) of this section while the individual auditor is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) on a particular day (the start day), the individual auditor becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b); and
(d) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) those circumstances remain in existence; and
(ii) the individual auditor has not informed ASIC in writing of those circumstances.
Note: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2A) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(3) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2A) (registered scheme).
(1B) A person is not excused from informing ASIC under subsection (1A) that the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1A)(b) exist on the ground that the information might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
(1C) However:
(a) the information; and
(b) the giving of the information;
are not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal proceeding, or any other proceeding for the recovery of a penalty, other than proceedings for an offence based on the information given being false or misleading.
(1D) If the individual auditor gives ASIC a notice under paragraph (1A)(d), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice has been received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Strict liability contravention of specific independence requirements by individual auditor
(2) An individual auditor contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual auditor engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (5) of this section.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraph (2)(b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (4) provides a defence.
(4) An individual auditor does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) in relation to audit activity engaged in by the individual auditor at a particular time if the individual auditor has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual auditor had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the individual auditor) that the individual auditor and the individual auditor’s employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
People and entities covered
(5) The following table sets out:
(a) the persons and entities covered by this subsection in relation to audit activity engaged in by an individual auditor; and
(b) the items of the table in subsection 324CH(1) that are the relevant items for each of those persons and entities:
Individual auditor | ||
Item | For this person or entity... | the relevant items of the table in subsection 324CH(1) are... |
1 | the individual auditor | 1 to 19 |
2 | a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the individual auditor, or another entity performing a similar function | 1 to 19 |
3 | a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body | 1 to 6 8 to 19 |
4 | an immediate family member of a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body | 1 and 2 10 to 19 |
5 | a person who is a non‑audit services provider and who does not satisfy the maximum hours test in subsection (6) | 10 to 12 |
6 | an immediate family member of a person who is a non‑audit services provider and who does not satisfy the maximum hours test in subsection (6) | 10 to 12 |
7 | an entity that the auditor (or a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the individual auditor, or another entity performing a similar function) controls | 15 |
8 | a body corporate in which the auditor (or a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the individual auditor, or another entity performing a similar function) has a substantial holding | 15 |
9 | a person who: (a) is a former professional employee of the auditor; and (b) does not satisfy the independence test in subsection (7) | 1 and 2 |
10 | an individual who: (a) is the former owner of the individual auditor’s business; and (b) does not satisfy the independence test in subsection (7) | 1 and 2 |
Maximum hours test
(6) A non‑audit services provider satisfies the maximum hours test in this subsection if:
(a) the number of hours for which the person provides services (other than services related to the conduct of an audit) to the audited body on behalf of the auditor during the period to which the audit relates does not exceed 10 hours; and
(b) the number of hours for which the person provides services (other than services related to the conduct of an audit) to the audited body on behalf of the auditor during the 12 months immediately before the beginning of the period to which the audit relates does not exceed 10 hours.
In a prosecution for an offence based on subsection (1) or (2), the prosecution must prove that the non‑audit services provider did not satisfy the maximum hours test in this subsection.
Independence test
(7) A person satisfies the independence test in this subsection in relation to an individual auditor if the person:
(a) does not influence the operations or financial policies of the accounting and audit practice conducted by the auditor; and
(b) does not participate, or appear to participate, in the business or professional activities of the accounting and audit practice conducted by the auditor; and
(c) does not have any rights against the auditor in relation to the accounting and audit practice conducted by the auditor in relation to the termination of the person’s former employment by the auditor; and
(d) has no financial arrangements with the auditor in relation to the accounting and audit practice conducted by the auditor, other than:
(i) an arrangement providing for regular payments of a fixed pre‑determined dollar amount which is not dependent, directly or indirectly, on the revenues, profits or earnings of the auditor; or
(ii) an arrangement providing for regular payments of a dollar amount where the method of calculating the dollar amount is fixed and is not dependent, directly or indirectly, on the revenues, profits or earnings of the auditor; and
(e) without limiting paragraph (d), has no financial arrangement with the auditor to receive a commission or similar payment in relation to business generated by the person for the accounting and audit practice conducted by the auditor.
In a prosecution for an offence based on subsection (1) or (2), the prosecution must prove that the person did not satisfy the independence test in this subsection in relation to the individual auditor.
(8) In applying subsection (7), disregard any rights that the person has against the auditor by way of an indemnity for, or contribution in relation to, liabilities incurred by the person when the person was an employee of the auditor or the owner of the auditor’s business.
324CF Auditor independence—specific requirements for audit firm
Contraventions by members of audit firm
(1) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (5) of this section; and
(c) the defendant is a member of the audit firm at that time; and
(d) the defendant is or becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) the defendant does not, as soon as possible after the defendant becomes aware of those circumstances, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the audit firm does not continue to engage in audit activity in those circumstances.
Member of audit firm to notify ASIC
(1A) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies to a person or entity covered by subsection (5) of this section while the audit firm is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) the defendant is a member of the audit firm at a time when the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b) exist; and
(d) on a particular day (the start day), the defendant becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b) remain in existence; and
(ii) ASIC has not been informed in writing of those circumstances by the defendant, by another member of the audit firm or by someone else on behalf of the audit firm.
Note: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2B) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(4) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2B) (registered scheme).
(1B) A person is not excused from informing ASIC under subsection (1A) that the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1A)(b) exist on the ground that the information might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
(1C) However:
(a) the information; and
(b) the giving of the information;
are not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal proceeding, or any other proceeding for the recovery of a penalty, other than proceedings for an offence based on the information given being false or misleading.
(1D) If ASIC is given a notice under paragraph (1A)(e), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice is received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Contravention of independence requirements by members of audit firm
(2) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (5) of this section; and
(c) the defendant is a member of the audit firm at that time.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (4) provides a defence.
(4) A person does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) in relation to audit activity engaged in by an audit firm at a particular time if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit firm had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit firm) that the audit firm and its employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
People and entities covered
(5) The following table sets out:
(a) the persons and entities covered by this subsection in relation to audit activity engaged in by an audit firm; and
(b) the items of the table in subsection 324CH(1) that are the relevant items for each of those persons and entities:
Audit firm | ||
Item | For this person or entity... | the relevant items of the table in subsection 324CH(1) are... |
1 | the firm | 4 7 10 to 19 |
2 | a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the firm, or another entity performing a similar function | 4 7 10 to 19 |
3 | a member of the firm | 1 to 7 9 15 |
4 | a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body | 1 to 6 8 to 19 |
5 | an immediate family member of a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body | 1 and 2 10 to 19 |
6 | a person who: (a) is a non‑audit services provider; and (b) does not satisfy the maximum hours test in subsection (6) | 10 to 12 |
7 | an immediate family member of a person who: (a) is a non‑audit services provider; and (b) does not satisfy the maximum hours test in subsection (6) | 10 to 12 |
8 | an entity that the firm (or a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the firm, or another entity performing a similar function) controls | 15 |
9 | a body corporate in which the firm (or a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the firm, or another entity performing a similar function) has a substantial holding | 15 |
10 | an entity that a member of the firm controls or a body corporate in which a member of the firm has a substantial holding | 15 |
11 | a person who: (a) is a former member of the firm; and (b) does not satisfy the independence test in subsection (7) | 1 and 2 |
12 | a person who: (a) is a former professional employee of the firm; and (b) does not satisfy the independence test in subsection (7) | 1 and 2 |
Maximum hours test
(6) A non‑audit services provider satisfies the maximum hours test in this subsection if:
(a) the number of hours for which the person provides services (other than services related to the conduct of an audit) to the audited body on behalf of the auditor during the period to which the audit relates does not exceed 10 hours; and
(b) the number of hours for which the person provided services (other than services related to the conduct of an audit) to the audited body on behalf of the auditor during the 12 months immediately before the beginning of the period to which the audit relates does not exceed 10 hours.
In a prosecution for an offence based on subsection (1) or (2), the prosecution must prove that the non‑audit services provider did not satisfy the maximum hours test in this subsection.
Independence test
(7) A person satisfies the independence test in this subsection in relation to a firm if the person:
(a) does not influence the operations or financial policies of the accounting and audit practice conducted by the firm; and
(b) does not participate, or appear to participate, in the business or professional activities of the accounting and audit practice conducted by the firm; and
(c) does not have any rights against the firm, or the members of the firm, in relation to the accounting and audit practice conducted by the firm in relation to the termination of, or the value of, the person’s former partnership interest in the firm; and
(d) has no financial arrangements with the firm in relation to the accounting and audit practice conducted by the firm, other than:
(i) an arrangement providing for regular payments of a fixed pre‑determined dollar amount which is not dependent, directly or indirectly, on the revenues, profits or earnings of the firm; or
(ii) an arrangement providing for regular payments of a dollar amount where the method of calculating the dollar amount is fixed and is not dependent, directly or indirectly, on the revenues, profits or earnings of the firm; and
(e) without limiting paragraph (d), has no financial arrangement with the firm to receive a commission or similar payment in relation to business generated by the person for the accounting and audit practice conducted by the firm.
In a prosecution for an offence based on subsection (1) or (2), the prosecution must prove that the person did not satisfy the independence test in this subsection in relation to the firm.
(8) In applying subsection (7), disregard any rights that the person has against the firm, or the members of the firm, by way of an indemnity for, or contribution in relation to, liabilities incurred by the person when the person was a member or employee of the firm.
Meaning of holding by firm in body corporate
(9) For the purposes of item 9 in the table in subsection (5), a firm is taken to have a holding in a body corporate if the holding is one of the firm’s partnership assets.
324CG Auditor independence—specific requirements for audit company
Specific independence requirements for audit company
(1) An audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the audit company engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (9) of this section; and
(c) the audit company is or becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b); and
(d) the audit company does not, as soon as possible after the audit company becomes aware of those circumstances, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the audit company does not continue to engage in audit activity in those circumstances.
Audit company to notify ASIC
(1A) An audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the audit company is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies to a person or entity covered by subsection (9) of this section while the audit company is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) on a particular day (the start day), the audit company becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b); and
(d) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) those circumstances remain in existence; and
(ii) the audit company has not informed ASIC in writing of those circumstances.
Note: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2C) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(5) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2C) (registered scheme).
(1B) If the audit company gives ASIC a notice under paragraph (1A)(d), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice has been received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Strict liability contravention of specific independence requirements by audit company
(2) An audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the audit company engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (9) of this section.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraph (2)(b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (4) provides a defence.
(4) An audit company does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) in relation to audit activity engaged in by the audit company at a particular time if the audit company has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit company had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit company) that the audit company and the audit company’s employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Contraventions by directors of audit company
(5) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (9) of this section; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the audit company at that time; and
(d) the defendant is or becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) the defendant does not, as soon as possible after the defendant becomes aware of those circumstances, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the audit company does not continue to engage in audit activity in those circumstances.
Director of audit company to notify ASIC
(5A) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company is the auditor of an audited body; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies to a person or entity covered by subsection (9) of this section while the audit company is the auditor of the audited body; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the audit company at a time when the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b) exist; and
(d) on a particular day (the start day), the defendant becomes aware of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and
(e) at the end of the period of 7 days from the start day:
(i) the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b) remain in existence; and
(ii) ASIC has not been informed in writing of those circumstances by the defendant, by another director of the company or by the audit company.
Note: If the audited body is a public company or a registered scheme, the audit appointment will be terminated at the end of the period of 21 days (or a longer period that has been approved by ASIC) from the day a notice under this subsection is given if the notice is not followed up by a notice under:
(a) subsection 327B(2C) (public company); or
(b) subsection 328E(5) (public company with crowd‑sourced funding); or
(c) subsection 331AAA(2C) (registered scheme).
(5B) A person is not excused from informing ASIC under subsection (5A) that the circumstances referred to in paragraph (5A)(b) exist on the ground that the information might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
(5C) However, if the person is a natural person:
(a) the information; and
(b) the giving of the information;
are not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal proceeding, or any other proceeding for the recovery of a penalty, other than proceedings for an offence based on the information given being false or misleading.
(5D) If ASIC is given a notice under paragraph (5A)(e), ASIC must, as soon as practicable after the notice is received, give a copy of the notice to the audited body.
Strict liability contravention of specific independence requirements by director of audit company
(6) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company engages in audit activity at a particular time; and
(b) a relevant item of the table in subsection 324CH(1) applies at that time to a person or entity covered by subsection (9) of this section; and
(c) the defendant is a director of the audit company at that time.
(7) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (6), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (6)(a) and (b).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (8) provides a defence.
(8) A person does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (6) in relation to audit activity engaged in by an audit company at a particular time if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit company had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit company) that the audit company and its employees complied with the requirements of this Subdivision.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
People and entities covered
(9) The following table sets out:
(a) the persons and entities covered by this subsection in relation to audit activity engaged in by an audit company; and
(b) the items of the table in subsection 324CH(1) that are the relevant items for each of those persons and entities:
Audit company | ||
Item | For this person or entity... | the relevant items of the table in subsection 324CH(1) are... |
1 | the audit company | 4 7 10 to 19 |
2 | a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the audit company, or another entity performing a similar function | 4 7 10 to 19 |
3 | a director or senior manager of the audit company | 1 to 7 9 15 |
4 | a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body | 1 to 6 8 to 19 |
5 | an immediate family member of a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body | 1 and 2 10 to 19 |
6 | a person who: (a) is a non‑audit services provider; and (b) does not satisfy the maximum hours test in subsection (10) | 10 to 12 |
7 | an immediate family member of a person who: (a) is a non‑audit services provider; and (b) does not satisfy the maximum hours test in subsection (10) | 10 to 12 |
8 | an entity that the audit company (or a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the audit company, or another entity performing a similar function) controls | 15 |
9 | a body corporate in which the audit company (or a service company or trust acting for, or on behalf of, the audit company, or another entity performing a similar function) has a substantial holding | 15 |
10 | an entity that an officer of the audit company controls or a body corporate in which an officer of the audit company has a substantial holding | 16 |
11 | a person who: (a) is a former officer of the audit company; and (b) does not satisfy the independence test in subsection (11) | 1 and 2 |
12 | a person who: (a) is a former professional employee of the audit company; and (b) does not satisfy the independence test in subsection (11) | 1 and 2 |
Maximum hours test
(10) A non‑audit services provider satisfies the maximum hours test in this subsection if:
(a) the number of hours for which the person provides services (other than services related to the conduct of an audit) to the audited body on behalf of the auditor during the period to which the audit relates does not exceed 10 hours; and
(b) the number of hours for which the person provided services (other than services related to the conduct of an audit) to the audited body on behalf of the auditor during the 12 months immediately before the beginning of the period to which the audit relates does not exceed 10 hours.
In a prosecution for an offence based on subsection (1), (2), (5) or (6), the prosecution must prove that the non‑audit services provider did not satisfy the maximum hours test in this subsection.
Independence test
(11) A person satisfies the independence test in this subsection in relation to an audit company if the person:
(a) does not influence the operations or financial policies of the accounting and audit practice conducted by the audit company; and
(b) does not participate, or appear to participate, in the business or professional activities of the accounting and audit practice conducted by the audit company; and
(c) does not have any rights against the audit company in relation to the accounting and audit practice conducted by the audit company in relation to the termination of the person’s former position as an officer of the audit company; and
(d) has no financial arrangements with the audit company in relation to the accounting and audit practice conducted by the audit company, other than:
(i) an arrangement providing for regular payments of a fixed pre‑determined dollar amount which is not dependent, directly or indirectly, on the revenues, profits or earnings of the audit company; or
(ii) an arrangement providing for regular payments of a dollar amount where the method of calculating the dollar amount is fixed and is not dependent, directly or indirectly, on the revenues, profits or earnings of the audit company; and
(e) without limiting paragraph (d), has no financial arrangement with the audit company to receive a commission or similar payment in relation to business generated by the person for the accounting and audit practice conducted by the audit company.
In a prosecution for an offence based on subsection (1), (2), (5) or (6), the prosecution must prove that the person did not satisfy the independence test in this subsection in relation to the audit company.
(12) In applying subsection (11), disregard any rights that the person has against the audit company by way of an indemnity for, or contribution in relation to, liabilities incurred by the person when the person was an officer or employee of the audit company.
Table of relevant relationships
(1) The following table lists the relationships between:
(a) a person or a firm; and
(b) the audited body for an audit;
that are relevant for the purposes of sections 324CE, 324CF and 324CG:
Relevant relationships | |
Item | This item applies to a person (or, if applicable, to a firm) at a particular time if at that time the person (or firm)... |
1 | is an officer of the audited body This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
2 | is an audit‑critical employee of the audited body This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
3 | is a partner of: (a) an officer of the audited body; or (b) an audit‑critical employee of the audited body This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
4 | is an employer of: (a) an officer of the audited body; or (b) an audit‑critical employee of the audited body This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
5 | is an employee of: (a) an officer of the audited body; or (b) an audit‑critical employee of the audited body This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
6 | is a partner or employee of an employee of: (a) an officer of the company; or (b) an audit‑critical employee of the company This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
7 | provides remuneration to: (a) an officer of the audited body; or (b) an audit‑critical employee of the audited body; for acting as a consultant to the person This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
8 | was an officer of the audited body at any time during: (a) the period to which the audit relates; or (b) the 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of the period to which the audit relates; or (c) the period during which the audit is being conducted or the audit report is being prepared This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
9 | was an audit‑critical employee of the audited body at any time during: (a) the period to which the audit relates; or (b) the 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of the period to which the audit relates; or (c) the period during which the audit is being conducted or the audit report is being prepared This item does not apply if subsection (3A) (about small proprietary companies) applies to the audited body for the relevant financial year. |
10 | has an asset that is an investment in the audited body |
11 | has an asset that is a beneficial interest in an investment in the audited body and has control over that asset |
12 | has an asset that is a beneficial interest in an investment in the audited body that is a material interest |
13 | has an asset that is a material investment in an entity that has a controlling interest in the audited body |
14 | has an asset that is a material beneficial interest in an investment in an entity that has a controlling interest in the audited body |
15 | owes an amount to: (a) the audited body; or (b) a related body corporate; or (c) an entity that the audited body controls; unless the debt is disregarded under subsection (5), (5A) or (5B) |
16 | is owed an amount by: (a) the audited body; or (b) a related body corporate; or (c) an entity that the audited body controls; under a loan that is not disregarded under subsection (6) or (6A) |
17 | is liable under a guarantee of a loan made to: (a) the audited body; or (b) a related body corporate; or (c) an entity that the audited body controls |
19 | is entitled to the benefit of a guarantee given by: (a) the audited body; or (b) a related body corporate; or (c) an entity that the audited body controls in relation to a loan unless the guarantee is disregarded under subsection (8) |
Applying table if audited body is registered scheme
(2) If the audited body is a registered scheme, apply the table in subsection (1) as if:
(a) references to the audited body in items 1 to 9, and items 15 to 19, in the table were references to the responsible entity for the registered scheme; and
(b) references to an interest in the audited body in items 10 to 12 in the table were references to an interest in either:
(i) the registered scheme; or
(ii) the responsible entity for the registered scheme; and
(c) references to an investment in an entity that has a controlling interest in the audited body in items 13 and 14 of the table were references to an investment in an entity that has a controlling interest in the responsible entity for the registered scheme.
Applying table if audited body is listed entity (other than registered scheme)
(3) If the audited body is a listed entity (other than a registered scheme), apply the table in subsection (1) as if references in the table to the audited body included references to an associated entity of the audited body.
Note: See section 50AAA for the definition of associated entity.
Small proprietary companies
(3A) This subsection applies to an audited body for a financial year if the body:
(a) is a small proprietary company for the financial year; and
(b) either:
(i) does not have any CSF shareholders at any time during the financial year; or
(ii) has, as at the end of the financial year, raised a total less than the CSF audit threshold from all the CSF offers it has ever made.
Firm assets
(4) For the purpose of applying items 10 to 14 in the table in subsection (1) to an audit firm, the firm is taken to have a particular asset if the asset is one of the firm’s partnership assets.
Housing loan exception
(5) For the purposes of item 15 of the table in subsection (1), disregard a debt owed by an individual to a body corporate or entity if:
(a) the body corporate or entity is:
(i) an Australian ADI; or
(ii) a body corporate registered under section 21 of the Life Insurance Act 1995; and
(b) the debt arose because of a loan that the body corporate or entity made to the person in the ordinary course of its ordinary business; and
(c) the person used the amount of the loan to pay the whole or part of the purchase price of premises that the person uses as their principal place of residence.
Goods and services exception
(5A) For the purposes of item 15 of the table in subsection (1), disregard a debt owed by a person or firm to a body corporate or entity if:
(a) the debt arises from the acquisition of goods or services from:
(i) the audited body; or
(ii) an entity that the audited body controls; or
(iii) a related body corporate; and
(b) the acquisition of goods and services was on the terms and conditions that would normally apply to goods or services acquired from the body, entity or related body corporate; and
(c) the debt is owed on the terms and conditions that would normally apply to a debt owing to the body, entity or related body corporate; and
(d) the goods or services will be used by the person or firm:
(i) for the personal use of the person or firm; or
(ii) in the ordinary course of business of the person or firm.
Ordinary commercial loan exception
(5B) For the purposes of item 15 of the table in subsection (1), disregard a debt owed under a loan that:
(a) is made or given in the ordinary course of business of:
(i) the audited body; or
(ii) the related body corporate; or
(iii) the controlled entity; and
(b) is made or given on the terms and conditions that would normally apply to a loan made or given by the audited body, the related body corporate or the controlled entity.
Loans by immediate family members in ordinary business dealing with client
(6) For the purposes of item 16 of the table in subsection (1), disregard a debt owed to a person by a body corporate or entity if:
(a) the item applies to the person because the person is an immediate family member of:
(i) a professional member of the audit team conducting the audit of the audited body; or
(ii) a non‑audit services provider; and
(b) the debt is incurred in the ordinary course of business of the body corporate or entity.
(6A) For the purposes of item 16 in the table in subsection (1), disregard an amount owed under a loan to a person or firm by the audited body, a related body corporate or an entity that the audited body controls if:
(a) the body, body corporate or entity is an Australian ADI; and
(b) the amount is deposited in a basic deposit product (within the meaning of section 761A) provided by the body, body corporate or entity; and
(c) the amount was deposited, in the ordinary course of business of the audited body, body corporate or entity, on the terms and conditions that would normally apply to a basic deposit product provided by the body, body corporate or entity.
Ordinary commercial guarantee exception
(8) For the purposes of item 19 of the table in subsection (1), disregard any guarantee that:
(a) is made or given in the ordinary course of the business of:
(i) the audited body; or
(ii) the related body corporate; or
(iii) the controlled entity; and
(b) is made or given on the terms and conditions that would normally apply to a guarantee made or given by the audited body, the related body corporate or the controlled entity.
Future debts and liabilities
(8A) In this section:
(a) a reference to a debt or amount that is owed by one entity to another entity includes a reference to a debt or amount that will (or may) be owed by the first entity to the other entity under an existing agreement between the entities; and
(b) a reference to a liability under a guarantee of a loan includes a reference to a liability that will arise under the guarantee if the loan is not repaid.
Relevant financial year
(9) In this section:
relevant financial year, in relation to audit activities undertaken in relation to an audit or review of a financial report for a financial year or an audit or review of a financial report for a half‑year in a financial year, means the financial year immediately before that financial year.
A person contravenes this section if:
(a) the person ceases to be:
(i) a member of an audit firm; or
(ii) a director of an audit company;
at a particular time (the departure time); and
(b) at any time before the departure time, the audit firm or audit company has engaged in an audit of an audited body; and
(c) the person was a professional member of the audit team for the audit; and
(d) within the period of 2 years starting on the date the report under section 308 or 309 was made on the latest audit to which paragraphs (b) and (c) apply, the person becomes, or continues to be, an officer of the audited body; and
(e) subsection 324CH(3A) (about small proprietary companies) does not apply to the audited body for the most recently ended financial year.
If the audited body is a listed entity (other than a registered scheme), apply paragraph (d) as if references in that paragraph to the audited body included references to a related body corporate of the audited body.
324CJ Special rule for retiring professional member of audit company
A person contravenes this section if:
(a) the person who is not a director of an audit company ceases to be a professional employee of the audit company at a particular time (the departure time); and
(b) at any time before the departure time, the audit company has engaged in an audit of an audited body; and
(c) the person was a lead auditor or review auditor for the audit; and
(d) within the period of 2 years starting on the date the report under section 308 or 309 was made on the latest audit to which paragraphs (b) and (c) apply, the person becomes, or continues to be, an officer of the audited body; and
(e) subsection 324CH(3A) (about small proprietary companies) does not apply to the audited body for the most recently ended financial year.
If the audited body is a listed entity (other than a registered scheme), apply paragraph (d) as if references in that paragraph to the audited body included references to a related body corporate of the audited body.
324CK Multiple former audit firm partners or audit company directors
A person contravenes this section if:
(a) an audit firm, or audit company, is an auditor of an audited body for a financial year; and
(b) the person has at any time been a member of the audit firm or a director of the audit company; and
(c) the person becomes an officer of the audited body within a period of 5 years after the person ceased (or last ceased) to be a member of the audit firm or a director of the audit company (as the case may be); and
(d) at the time when paragraph (c) is satisfied another person who is or who also has at any time been a member of the audit firm, or a director of the audit company, at a time when the audit firm, or audit company, undertook an audit of the audited body is also an officer of the audited body; and
(e) subsection 324CH(3A) (about small proprietary companies) does not apply to the audited body for the most recently ended financial year.
If the audited body is a listed entity (other than a registered scheme), apply paragraphs (c) and (d) as if references in those paragraphs to the audited body included references to a related body corporate of the audited body.
Subdivision C—Common provisions
324CL People who are regarded as officers of a company for the purposes of this Division
(1) For the purposes of this Division, a person is taken to be an officer of a company if:
(a) the person is an officer of:
(i) a related body corporate; or
(ii) an entity that the company controls; or
(b) the person has, at any time within the immediately preceding period of 12 months, been an officer or promoter of:
(i) the company; or
(ii) a related body corporate; or
(iii) an entity that the company controlled at that time.
(2) Paragraph (b) does not apply if ASIC directs that it does not apply in relation to the person in relation to the company. ASIC may give the direction only if ASIC thinks that it is appropriate to do so in the circumstances of the case.
(3) For the purposes of this Division, a person is not taken to be an officer of a company by reason only of being, or having been, the liquidator of:
(a) the company; or
(b) a related body corporate; or
(c) an entity that the company controls or has controlled.
(4) For the purposes of this Division, a person is not taken to be an officer of a company merely because of one or more of the following:
(a) having been appointed as auditor of:
(i) the company; or
(ii) a related body corporate; or
(iii) an entity that the company controls or has controlled;
(b) having been appointed, for any purpose relating to taxation, as public officer of:
(i) a body corporate; or
(ii) an unincorporated body; or
(iii) a trust estate;
(c) being or having been authorised to accept service of process or notices on behalf of:
(i) the company; or
(ii) a related body corporate; or
(iii) an entity that the company controls or has controlled.
Division 4—Deliberately disqualifying auditor
324CM Deliberately disqualifying auditor
Individual auditor
(1) An individual contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the individual is appointed auditor of a company or registered scheme; and
(b) while the appointment continues, the individual brings about a state of affairs; and
(c) the individual cannot, while that state of affairs continues, act as auditor of the company or scheme without contravening Division 2 or 3.
Audit firm
(2) A member of a firm contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the firm is appointed auditor of a company or a registered scheme; and
(b) while the appointment continues, the member brings about a state of affairs; and
(c) the firm cannot, while that state of affairs continues, act as auditor of the company or scheme without a person contravening Division 2 or 3.
Audit company
(3) A person who is:
(a) a member of a company; or
(b) a director of a company; or
(c) a lead auditor in relation to an audit conducted by a company;
contravenes this subsection if:
(d) the company is appointed auditor of a company or a registered scheme; and
(e) while the appointment continues, the person brings about a state of affairs; and
(f) the company cannot, while that state of affairs continues, act as auditor of the company or scheme without contravening Division 2 or 3.
Division 5—Auditor rotation for listed companies
(1) If an individual plays a significant role in the audit of a listed company or listed registered scheme for 5 successive financial years (the extended audit involvement period), the individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or the scheme for a later financial year (the subsequent financial year) unless:
(a) the individual has not played a significant role in the audit of the company or the scheme for at least 2 successive financial years (the intervening financial years); and
(b) the intervening financial years:
(i) commence after the end of the extended audit involvement period; and
(ii) end before the beginning of the subsequent financial year.
Note: Play a significant role in an audit is defined in section 9.
(2) An individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of a listed company or listed registered scheme for a financial year if, were the individual to do so, the individual would play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for more than 5 out of 7 successive financial years.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), disregard an individual’s playing of a significant role in the audit of a company or scheme for a financial year if:
(a) either:
(i) the directors of the company or scheme grant an approval under section 324DAA in relation to the individual; or
(ii) ASIC makes a declaration under paragraph 342A(1)(a) in relation to the individual; and
(b) because of the approval or the declaration, subsection (1) of this section does not operate to make the individual not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year.
324DAA Directors may extend eligibility term
(1) Subject to section 324DAB, the directors of a listed company, or of a listed registered scheme, may, by resolution, grant an approval for an individual to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for not more than 2 successive financial years in addition to the 5 successive financial years mentioned in subsection 324DA(1).
(2) The approval must be granted before the end of those 5 successive financial years.
(3) If the directors grant the approval, subsection 324DA(1) applies to the individual, in relation to the audit of the company or scheme, as if the references in that subsection to 5 successive financial years were references to:
(a) if the approval is for one additional successive financial year—6 successive financial years; or
(b) if the approval is for an additional 2 successive financial years—7 successive financial years.
(4) If the directors grant the approval for one successive financial year, the directors may, by resolution before the end of that year, grant an approval for an additional successive year.
(5) If the directors grant the approval for the additional successive year, subsection 324DA(1) applies to the individual, in relation to the audit of the company or scheme, as if the references in that subsection to 5 successive financial years were references to 7 successive financial years.
324DAB Requirements for directors to approve extension of eligibility term
Requirements if company or scheme has audit committee
(1) If a listed company, or the responsible entity of a listed registered scheme, has an audit committee:
(a) an approval under section 324DAA must not be granted unless it is in accordance with a recommendation provided by the audit committee; and
(b) the resolution granting the approval must set out the reasons why the audit committee is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (2)(d) of this section.
Note: Directors are not required to grant an approval merely because the audit committee has recommended that an approval be granted.
(2) An approval is taken to be made in accordance with a recommendation provided by the audit committee only if:
(a) the approval is consistent with the audit committee’s recommendation; and
(b) the recommendation is endorsed by a resolution passed by the members of the audit committee; and
(c) the recommendation is in writing signed by a member of the audit committee on behalf of the audit committee and given to the directors of the company or scheme; and
(d) the recommendation states that the audit committee is satisfied that the approval:
(i) is consistent with maintaining the quality of the audit provided to the company or scheme; and
(ii) would not give rise to a conflict of interest situation (as defined in section 324CD);
and sets out the reasons why the committee is so satisfied.
Requirements if company or scheme does not have audit committee
(3) If a listed company, or the responsible entity of a listed registered scheme, does not have an audit committee:
(a) an approval under section 324DAA must not be granted unless the directors of the company or scheme are satisfied that the approval:
(i) is consistent with maintaining the quality of the audit provided to the company or scheme; and
(ii) would not give rise to a conflict of interest situation (as defined in section 324CD); and
(b) the resolution granting the approval must set out the reasons why the directors are so satisfied.
Auditor must have agreed to extension
(4) The directors of a listed company, or of a listed registered scheme, must not grant an approval under section 324DAA unless:
(a) if the individual to whom the approval relates does not act on behalf of an audit firm or company—the individual agrees, in writing, to the approval being granted; or
(b) if the individual to whom the approval relates acts on behalf of an audit firm or company—the audit firm or company on whose behalf the individual acts agrees, in writing, to the approval being granted.
324DAC Notifications about approval to extend eligibility term
If the directors of a listed company, or of a listed registered scheme, grant an approval under section 324DAA, the directors must, within 14 days of granting the approval:
(a) lodge a copy of the resolution granting the approval with ASIC; and
(b) give a copy of the resolution to:
(i) if the individual to whom the approval relates does not act on behalf of an audit firm or company—the individual; and
(ii) if the individual to whom the approval relates acts on behalf of an audit firm or company—the audit firm or company on whose behalf the individual acts.
Note: Details of the approval, and the reasons for the approval, must be included in the directors’ report under section 300.
324DAD Approval ineffective unless it complies with requirements
A purported grant of approval under section 324DAA is ineffective unless the requirements of sections 324DAA, 324DAB and 324DAC are complied with in relation to the approval.
324DB Individual’s rotation obligation
An individual contravenes this section if the individual:
(a) plays a significant role in the audit of a listed company or listed registered scheme for a financial year; and
(b) is not eligible to play that role.
324DC Audit firm’s rotation obligation
Contraventions by members of audit firm
(1) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm consents to act as a listed company’s or listed registered scheme’s auditor for a financial year; and
(b) an individual acts, on behalf of the firm, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company’s or scheme’s financial report for that financial year; and
(c) the individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year; and
(d) the defendant is a member of the firm; and
(e) the defendant is not the individual and is or becomes aware that the individual is not eligible to play that role; and
(f) the defendant fails to take the necessary steps, as soon as possible after the defendant becomes aware that the individual is not eligible to play that role, either:
(i) to ensure that the audit firm resigns as auditor of the company or scheme; or
(ii) to ensure that the individual ceases to act, on behalf of the audit firm, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year.
(2) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit firm consents to act as a listed company’s or listed registered scheme’s auditor for a financial year; and
(b) an individual acts, on behalf of the firm, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company’s or scheme’s financial report for that financial year; and
(c) the individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year:
(i) because of section 324DAD; or
(ii) for any other reason; and
(d) the defendant is a member of the firm.
(3) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (2), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) and subparagraph (2)(c)(ii).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (4) provides a defence.
(4) A person does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (2) in relation to an individual acting as lead or review auditor on behalf of an audit firm at a particular time if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit firm had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit firm) that the audit firm and its employees complied with the requirements of this Division.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
324DD Audit company’s rotation obligation
Contravention by audit company
(1) An audit company contravenes this subsection if:
(a) the audit company consents to act as a listed company’s or listed registered scheme’s auditor for a financial year; and
(b) an individual acts, on behalf of the audit company, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company’s or scheme’s financial report for that financial year; and
(c) the individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year; and
(d) a director of the audit company (other than the individual) is aware that the individual is not eligible to play that role; and
(e) the audit company fails to take the necessary steps, as soon as possible after the director becomes aware that the individual is not eligible to play that role, either:
(i) to resign as auditor of the company or scheme; or
(ii) to ensure that the individual ceases to act, on behalf of the audit company, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year.
Contraventions by directors of audit company
(2) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company consents to act as a listed company’s or listed registered scheme’s auditor for a financial year; and
(b) an individual acts, on behalf of the audit company, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company’s or scheme’s financial report for that financial year; and
(c) the individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year; and
(d) the defendant is a director of the audit company; and
(e) the defendant is not the individual and is or becomes aware that the individual is not eligible to play that role; and
(f) the defendant fails to take the necessary steps, as soon as possible after the defendant becomes aware that the individual is not eligible to play that role, either:
(i) to ensure that the audit company resigns as auditor of the company or scheme; or
(ii) to ensure that the individual ceases to act, on behalf of the audit company, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year.
(3) A person (the defendant) contravenes this subsection if:
(a) an audit company consents to act as a listed company’s or listed registered scheme’s auditor for a financial year; and
(b) an individual acts, on behalf of the audit company, as a lead or review auditor in relation to the audit of the company’s or scheme’s financial report for that financial year; and
(c) the individual is not eligible to play a significant role in the audit of the company or scheme for that financial year:
(i) because of section 324DAD; or
(ii) for any other reason; and
(d) the defendant is a director of the audit company.
(4) For the purposes of an offence based on subsection (3), strict liability applies to the physical elements of the offence specified in paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) and subparagraph (3)(c)(ii).
Note 1: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Note 2: Subsection (5) provides a defence.
(5) A person does not commit an offence because of a contravention of subsection (3) in relation to an individual acting as lead or review auditor on behalf of an audit company at a particular time if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the audit company had in place at that time a quality control system that provided reasonable assurance (taking into account the size and nature of the audit practice of the audit company) that the audit company and its employees complied with the requirements of this Division.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Division 6—Appointment, removal and fees of auditors for companies
Subdivision A—Appointment of company auditors
325 Appointment of auditor by proprietary company
(1) The directors of a proprietary company may appoint an auditor for the company if an auditor has not been appointed by the company in general meeting.
(2) The directors of a proprietary company must ensure that there is an auditor for the company at all times during the period:
(a) starting 1 month after:
(i) the time the company first raises a total equal to or exceeding the CSF audit threshold from all the CSF offers it has ever made; or
(ii) if the period starting because of subparagraph (i), or because of an earlier operation of this subparagraph, has ended—the time the company makes a later CSF offer; and
(b) when the company ceases to have any CSF shareholders at a later time in a particular financial year—ending when the company’s financial report for that financial year has been audited.
(3) However, subsection (2) does not apply for any period of 1 month or less starting when a vacancy occurs in the office of auditor of the company (however that vacancy is caused).
(4) A director of a company must take all reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, subsection (2).
327A Public company auditor (initial appointment of auditor)
(1) The directors of a public company must appoint an auditor of the company within 1 month after the day on which a company is registered as a company unless the company at a general meeting has appointed an auditor.
(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a company if:
(a) the directors reasonably believe that subsection 301(3) will apply to the company’s financial reports; or
(b) the company is a small company limited by guarantee; or
(c) the company is covered under section 738ZI just after it is registered as a company.
(2) Subject to this Part, an auditor appointed under subsection (1) holds office until the company’s first AGM.
(3) A director of a company must take all reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, subsection (1).
327B Public company auditor (annual appointments at AGMs to fill vacancies)
(1) A public company must:
(a) appoint an auditor of the company at its first AGM; and
(b) appoint an auditor of the company to fill any vacancy in the office of auditor at each subsequent AGM.
(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a company if:
(a) subsection 301(3) applies to the company’s financial reports; or
(b) the company is a small company limited by guarantee.
(2) An auditor appointed under subsection (1) holds office until the auditor:
(a) dies; or
(b) is removed, or resigns, from office in accordance with section 329; or
(c) ceases to be capable of acting as auditor because of Division 2 of this Part; or
(d) ceases to be auditor under subsection (2A), (2B) or (2C).
(2A) An individual auditor ceases to be auditor of a company under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), the individual auditor:
(i) informs ASIC of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the company under subsection 324CA(1A); or
(ii) informs ASIC of particular circumstances in relation to the company under subsection 324CE(1A); and
(b) the individual auditor does not give ASIC a notice, before the notification day (see subsection (2D)), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(2B) An audit firm ceases to be auditor of a company under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), ASIC is:
(i) informed of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the company under subsection 324CB(1A); or
(ii) informed of particular circumstances in relation to the company under subsection 324CF(1A); and
(b) ASIC has not been given a notice on behalf of the audit firm, before the notification day (see subsection (2D)), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(2C) An audit company ceases to be auditor of a company under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), ASIC is:
(i) informed of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the company under subsection 324CB(1A) or 324CC(1A); or
(ii) informed of particular circumstances in relation to the company under subsection 324CF(1A) or 324CG(1A) or (5A); and
(b) ASIC has not been given a notice on behalf of the audit company, before the notification day (see subsection (2D)), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(2D) The notification day is:
(a) the last day of the remedial period; or
(b) such later day as ASIC approves in writing (whether before or after the remedial period ends).
(3) A director of a company must take all reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, subsection (1).
(4) If an audit firm ceases to be the auditor of a company under subsection (2) at a particular time, each member of the firm who:
(a) is taken to have been appointed as an auditor of the company under subsection 324AB(1) or 324AC(4); and
(b) is an auditor of the company immediately before that time;
ceases to be an auditor of the company at that time.
327C Public company auditor (appointment to fill casual vacancy)
(1) If:
(a) a vacancy occurs in the office of auditor of a public company; and
(b) the vacancy is not caused by the removal of an auditor from office; and
(c) there is no surviving or continuing auditor of the company;
the directors must, within 1 month after the vacancy occurs, appoint an auditor to fill the vacancy unless the company at a general meeting has appointed an auditor to fill the vacancy.
Note: Certain public companies are not required to appoint an auditor: see subsections 327A(1A) and 327B(1A).
(2) An auditor appointed under subsection (1) holds office, subject to this Part, until the company’s next AGM.
(3) A director of a public company must take all reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, subsection (1).
327D Appointment to replace auditor removed from office
(1) This section deals with the situation in which an auditor of a company is removed from office at a general meeting in accordance with section 329.
(2) The company may at that general meeting (without adjournment), by special resolution immediately appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor of the company if a copy of the notice of nomination has been sent to the individual, firm or company under subsection 328B(3).
(3) If a special resolution under subsection (2):
(a) is not passed; or
(b) could not be passed merely because a copy of the notice of nomination has not been sent to an individual, firm or company under subsection 328B(3);
the general meeting may be adjourned and the company may, at the adjourned meeting, by ordinary resolution appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor of the company if:
(c) a member of the company gives the company notice of the nomination of the individual, firm or company for appointment as auditor; and
(d) the company receives the notice at least 14 clear days before the day to which the meeting is adjourned.
(4) The day to which the meeting is adjourned must be:
(a) not earlier than 20 days after the day of the meeting; and
(b) not later than 30 days after the day of the meeting.
(5) Subject to this Part, an auditor appointed under subsection (2) or (3) holds office until the company’s next AGM.
327E ASIC may appoint a company auditor if auditor removed but not replaced
(1) This section applies if:
(a) the directors of a proprietary company fail to appoint an auditor under subsection 325(2); or
(b) a public company fails to appoint an auditor under subsection 327D(2) or (3).
The failure is referred to as the auditor replacement failure.
(2) The company must give ASIC written notice of the auditor replacement failure within the period of 7 days commencing on the day of the auditor replacement failure (the notification period).
(3) If the company gives ASIC the notice required by subsection (2), ASIC must appoint an auditor of the company as soon as practicable after receiving the notice. This subsection has effect subject to section 327G.
(4) If the company does not give ASIC the notice required by subsection (2), ASIC may appoint an auditor of the company at any time:
(a) after the end of the notification period; and
(b) before ASIC receives notice of the auditor replacement failure from the company.
This subsection has effect subject to section 327G.
(5) If the company:
(a) does not give ASIC the notice required by subsection (2); and
(b) gives ASIC notice of the auditor replacement failure after the end of the notification period;
ASIC must appoint an auditor of the company as soon as practicable after receiving the notice. This subsection has effect subject to section 327G.
(6) Subject to this Part, an auditor appointed under this section holds office until:
(a) for a proprietary company—the company’s next general meeting; or
(b) for a public company—the company’s next AGM.
327F ASIC’s general power to appoint a company auditor
(1) ASIC may appoint an auditor of a public company, or of a proprietary company that has one or more CSF shareholders, if:
(a) the company or its directors fail to appoint an auditor when required by this Act to do so; and
(b) a member of the company applies to ASIC in writing for the appointment of an auditor under this section.
This subsection has effect subject to section 327G.
(2) Subject to this Part, an auditor appointed under this section holds office until:
(a) for a proprietary company—the company’s next general meeting; or
(b) for a public company—the company’s next AGM.
327G Restrictions on ASIC’s powers to appoint a company auditor
(1) ASIC may appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor of a company under section 327E or 327F only if the individual, firm or company consents to being appointed.
(2) ASIC must not appoint an auditor of a company under section 327E or 327F if:
(a) there is another auditor of the company (the continuing auditor); and
(b) ASIC is satisfied that the continuing auditor is able to carry out the responsibilities of auditor alone; and
(c) the continuing auditor agrees to continue as auditor.
(3) ASIC must not appoint an auditor of a company under section 327E or 327F if:
(a) the company does not give ASIC the notice required by subsection 327E(2) before the end of the notification period; and
(b) ASIC has already appointed an auditor of the company under section 327E after the end of the notification period.
An auditor of a public company that begins to be controlled by a corporation:
(a) must retire at the AGM of the company next held after the company begins to be controlled by the corporation unless the auditor vacates that office before then; and
(b) is, subject to this Part, eligible for re‑appointment.
This section has effect notwithstanding subsection 327B(2).
327I Remaining auditors may act during vacancy
While a vacancy in the office of auditor of a company continues, the surviving or continuing auditor or auditors (if any) may act as auditors of the company.
328A Auditor’s consent to appointment
(1) A company, the directors of a company or the responsible entity of a registered scheme must not appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor of the company unless that individual, firm or company:
(a) has consented, before the appointment, to act as auditor; and
(b) has not withdrawn that consent before the appointment is made.
For the purposes of this section, a consent, or the withdrawal of a consent, must be given by written notice to the company, the directors or the responsible entity of the scheme.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) given by a firm must be signed by a member of the firm who is a registered company auditor both:
(a) in the firm name; and
(b) in his or her own name.
(3) A notice under subsection (1) given by a company must be signed by a director or senior manager of the company both:
(a) in the company’s name; and
(b) in his or her own name.
(4) If a company, the directors of a company or the responsible entity of a registered scheme appoints an individual, firm or company as auditor of a company in contravention of subsection (1):
(a) the purported appointment does not have any effect; and
(b) the company or responsible entity, and any officer of the company or responsible entity who is in default, are each guilty of an offence.
Note: An officer of a company, or of a responsible entity, is in default if the officer is involved in the contravention of subsection (1) by the company, the company’s directors or the entity (see section 83). Section 79 defines involved.
(1) Subject to this section, a company may appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor of the company at its AGM only if a member of the company gives the company written notice of the nomination of the individual, firm or company for appointment as auditor:
(a) before the meeting was convened; or
(b) not less than 21 days before the meeting.
This subsection does not apply if an auditor is removed from office at the AGM.
(2) If a company purports to appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor of the company in contravention of subsection (1):
(a) the purported appointment is of no effect; and
(b) the company and any officer of the company who is in default are each guilty of an offence.
Note: An officer of a company is in default if the officer is involved in the company’s contravention of subsection (1) (see section 83). Section 79 defines involved.
(3) If a member gives a company notice of the nomination of an individual, firm or company for appointment as auditor of the company, the company must send a copy of the notice to:
(a) each individual, firm or company nominated; and
(b) each auditor of the company; and
(c) each person entitled to receive notice of general meetings of the company.
This is so whether the appointment is to be made at a meeting or an adjourned meeting referred to in section 327D or at an AGM.
(4) The copy of the notice of nomination must be sent:
(a) not less than 7 days before the meeting; or
(b) at the time notice of the meeting is given.
328C Public company auditor (appointment of auditor when crowd‑sourced funding concession ends)
(1) If a public company stops being covered under section 738ZI at a time, the directors of the company must appoint an auditor of the company within 1 month after that time, unless the company at a general meeting has appointed an auditor.
(2) An auditor appointed under subsection (1) holds office until the company’s first AGM.
(3) A director of a company must take all reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, subsection (1).
(1) If the directors of a public company that is covered under section 738ZI become aware that the company has raised $3 million or more from all CSF offers, the directors of the company must appoint an auditor of the company within 1 month after becoming so aware, unless the company at a general meeting has appointed an auditor.
(2) An auditor appointed under subsection (1) holds office in accordance with section 328E.
(3) A director of a company must take all reasonable steps to comply with, or to secure compliance with, subsection (1).
328E Crowd‑sourced funding—period of office
(1) This section applies to an auditor appointed as auditor of a company, if the company was covered under section 738ZI at the time the auditor was appointed.
Note: This section applies to an auditor appointed under section 327C, 327D, 327E, 327F or 328D if the company was covered under section 738ZI at the time the auditor was appointed.
(2) The auditor holds office until the auditor:
(a) dies; or
(b) is removed, or resigns, from office in accordance with section 329; or
(c) ceases to be capable of acting as auditor because of Division 2 of this Part; or
(d) ceases to be auditor under subsection (3), (4) or (5);
unless the company’s first AGM occurs first.
(3) An individual auditor ceases to be auditor of a company under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), the individual auditor:
(i) informs ASIC of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the company under subsection 324CA(1A); or
(ii) informs ASIC of particular circumstances in relation to the company under subsection 324CE(1A); and
(b) the individual auditor does not give ASIC a notice, before the notification day (see subsection (6) of this section), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(4) An audit firm ceases to be auditor of a company under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), ASIC is:
(i) informed of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the company under subsection 324CB(1A); or
(ii) informed of particular circumstances in relation to the company under subsection 324CF(1A); and
(b) ASIC has not been given a notice on behalf of the audit firm, before the notification day (see subsection (6) of this section), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(5) An audit company ceases to be auditor of a company under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), ASIC is:
(i) informed of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the company under subsection 324CB(1A) or 324CC(1A); or
(ii) informed of particular circumstances in relation to the company under subsection 324CF(1A) or 324CG(1A) or (5A); and
(b) ASIC has not been given a notice on behalf of the audit company, before the notification day (see subsection (6) of this section), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(6) The notification day is:
(a) the last day of the remedial period; or
(b) such later day as ASIC approves in writing (whether before or after the remedial period ends).
(7) If an audit firm ceases to be the auditor of a company under subsection (2) at a particular time, each member of the firm who:
(a) is taken to have been appointed as an auditor of the company under subsection 324AB(1) or 324AC(4); and
(b) is an auditor of the company immediately before that time;
ceases to be an auditor of the company at that time.
Subdivision B—Removal and resignation of company auditors
329 Removal and resignation of auditors
(1) An auditor of a company may be removed from office by resolution of the company at a general meeting of which notice under subsection (1A) has been given, but not otherwise.
(1A) Notice of intention to move the resolution must be given to the company at least 2 months before the meeting is to be held. However, if the company calls a meeting after the notice of intention is given under this subsection, the meeting may pass the resolution even though the meeting is held less than 2 months after the notice of intention is given.
Note: Short notice of the meeting cannot be given for this resolution (see subsection 249H(4)).
(2) Where notice under subsection (1A) of a resolution to remove an auditor is received by a company, it must as soon as possible send a copy of the notice to the auditor and lodge a copy of the notice.
(3) Within 7 days after receiving a copy of the notice, the auditor may make representations in writing, not exceeding a reasonable length, to the company and request that, before the meeting at which the resolution is to be considered, a copy of the representations be sent by the company at its expense to every member of the company to whom notice of the meeting is sent.
(4) Unless ASIC on the application of the company otherwise orders, the company must send a copy of the representations in accordance with the auditor’s request, and the auditor may, without prejudice to his or her right to be heard orally or, where a firm is the auditor, to have a member of the firm heard orally on its behalf, require that the representations be read out at the meeting.
(5) An auditor of a company may, by notice in writing given to the company, resign as auditor of the company if:
(a) the auditor has, by notice in writing given to ASIC, applied for consent to the resignation and stated the reasons for the application and, at or about the same time as the notice was given to ASIC, notified the company in writing of the application to ASIC; and
(b) the consent of ASIC has been given.
(6) ASIC must, as soon as practicable after receiving a notice from an auditor under subsection (5), notify the auditor and the company whether it consents to the resignation of the auditor.
(7) A statement made by an auditor in an application to ASIC under subsection (5) or in answer to an inquiry by ASIC relating to the reasons for the application:
(a) is not admissible in evidence in any civil or criminal proceedings against the auditor; and
(b) may not be made the ground of a prosecution, action or suit against the auditor;
and a certificate by ASIC that the statement was made in the application or in the answer to the inquiry by ASIC is conclusive evidence that the statement was so made.
(8) Subject to subsection (9), the resignation of an auditor takes effect:
(a) on the day (if any) specified for the purpose in the notice of resignation; or
(b) on the day on which ASIC gives its consent to the resignation; or
(c) on the day (if any) fixed by ASIC for the purpose;
whichever last occurs.
(9) The resignation of an auditor of a proprietary company or a small company limited by guarantee does not require the consent of ASIC under subsection (5), and takes effect:
(a) on the day (if any) specified for the purpose in the notice of resignation; or
(b) on the day on which the notice is received by the company;
whichever is the later.
(10) Where on the retirement or withdrawal from a firm of a member the firm will no longer be capable, by reason of the provisions of subparagraph 324BB(1)(b)(i) or (2)(b)(i) of acting as auditor of a company, the member so retiring or withdrawing is (if not disqualified from acting as auditor of the company) taken to be the auditor of the company until he or she obtains the consent of ASIC to his or her retirement or withdrawal.
(11) Within 14 days after:
(a) the removal from office of an auditor of a company; or
(b) the receipt of a notice of resignation from an auditor of a company;
the company must:
(c) lodge with ASIC a notice of the removal or resignation in the prescribed form; and
(d) where there is a trustee for the holders of debentures of the company—give to the trustee a copy of the notice lodged with ASIC.
330 Effect of winding up on office of auditor
An auditor of a company ceases to hold office if:
(a) a special resolution is passed for the voluntary winding up of the company; or
(b) in a case to which paragraph (a) does not apply—an order is made by the Court for the winding up of the company.
Subdivision C—Company auditors’ fees and expenses
331 Fees and expenses of auditors
The reasonable fees and expenses of an auditor of a company are payable by the company.
Division 7—Appointment, removal and fees of auditors for registered schemes
Subdivision A—Appointment of registered scheme auditors
331AAA Registered scheme auditor (initial appointment of auditor)
(1) The responsible entity of a registered scheme must appoint an auditor of the registered scheme within 1 month after the day on which the scheme is registered.
(2) An auditor appointed under subsection (1) holds office until the auditor:
(a) dies; or
(b) is removed, or resigns, from office in accordance with section 331AC; or
(c) ceases to be capable of acting as an auditor because of Division 2 of this Part; or
(d) ceases to be auditor under subsection (2A), (2B) or (2C).
(2A) An individual auditor ceases to be auditor of a registered scheme under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), the individual auditor:
(i) informs ASIC of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the scheme under subsection 324CA(1A); or
(ii) informs ASIC of particular circumstances in relation to the scheme under subsection 324CE(1A); and
(b) the individual auditor does not give ASIC a notice, before the notification day (see subsection (2D)), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(2B) An audit firm ceases to be auditor of a registered scheme under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), ASIC is:
(i) informed of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the scheme under subsection 324CB(1A); or
(ii) informed of particular circumstances in relation to the scheme under subsection 324CF(1A); and
(b) ASIC has not been given a notice on behalf of the audit firm, before the notification day (see subsection (2D)), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(2C) An audit company ceases to be auditor of a registered scheme under this subsection if:
(a) on a particular day (the start day), ASIC is:
(i) informed of a conflict of interest situation in relation to the scheme under subsection 324CB(1A) or 324CC(1A); or
(ii) informed of particular circumstances in relation to the scheme under subsection 324CF(1A) or 324CG(1A) or (5A); and
(b) ASIC has not been given a notice on behalf of the audit company, before the notification day (see subsection (2D)), that that conflict of interest situation has, or those circumstances have, ceased to exist before the end of the period (the remedial period) of 21 days, or such longer period as ASIC approves in writing, from the start day.
(2D) The notification day is:
(a) the last day of the remedial period; or
(b) such later day as ASIC approves in writing (whether before or after the remedial period ends).
(3) A director of the responsible entity of a registered scheme must take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with subsection (1).
(4) If an audit firm ceases to be the auditor of a registered scheme under subsection (2) at a particular time, each member of the firm who:
(a) is taken to have been appointed as an auditor of the scheme under subsection 324AB(1) or 324AC(4); and
(b) is an auditor of the scheme immediately before that time;
ceases to be an auditor of the scheme at that time.
331AAB Registered scheme auditor (appointment to fill vacancy)
(1) If:
(a) a vacancy occurs in the office of auditor of a registered scheme; and
(b) there is no surviving or continuing auditor of the scheme;
the responsible entity must, within 1 month after the vacancy occurs, appoint an auditor to fill the vacancy.
(2) A director of the responsible entity of a registered scheme must take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with subsection (1).
331AAC ASIC’s power to appoint registered scheme auditor
(1) ASIC may appoint an auditor of a registered scheme if:
(a) the responsible entity of the scheme does not appoint an auditor when required by this Act to do so; and
(b) a member of the scheme applies to ASIC in writing for the appointment of an auditor under this section.
(2) ASIC may only appoint an individual, firm or company as auditor under subsection (1) if the individual, firm or company consents to being appointed.
331AAD Remaining auditors may act during vacancy
While a vacancy in the office of auditor of a registered scheme continues, the surviving or continuing auditor or auditors (if any) may act as auditors of the company.
Subdivision B—Removal and resignation of registered scheme auditors
331AC Removal and resignation of auditors
(1) The responsible entity of a registered scheme may, with ASIC’s consent, remove the auditor of the scheme from office.
(2) An auditor of a registered scheme may, by notice in writing given to the responsible entity, resign as auditor of the scheme if:
(a) the auditor:
(i) has, by notice in writing given to ASIC, applied for consent to the resignation and stated the reasons for the application; and
(ii) has, at or about the same time as giving the notice to ASIC, given the responsible entity notice in writing of the application to ASIC; and
(b) ASIC has given its consent.
(3) As soon as practicable after ASIC receives a notice from an auditor under subsection (2), ASIC must notify the auditor, and the responsible entity of the registered scheme, whether it consents to the resignation.
(4) A statement made by an auditor in an application to ASIC under subsection (2) or in answer to an inquiry by ASIC relating to the reasons for the application:
(a) is not admissible in evidence in any civil or criminal proceedings against the auditor; and
(b) must not be made the ground of a prosecution, action or suit against the auditor.
A certificate by the ASIC that the statement was made in the application or in answer to the inquiry by ASIC is conclusive evidence that the statement was so made.
(5) The resignation of an auditor takes effect:
(a) on the day (if any) specified for the purpose in the notice of resignation; or
(b) on the day on which ASIC gives its consent to the resignation; or
(c) on the day (if any) fixed by ASIC for the purpose;
whichever occurs last.
(6) If, on the retirement or withdrawal of a member of a firm, the firm will no longer be capable of acting as auditor of a registered scheme because of subparagraph 324BB(1)(b)(i) or (2)(b)(i), the member is (if not disqualified from acting as auditor of the scheme) taken to be the auditor of the scheme until he or she obtains the consent of ASIC to his or her retirement or withdrawal.
(7) Within 14 days after:
(a) the removal from office of an auditor of a registered scheme; or
(b) the receipt of a notice of resignation from an auditor of a registered scheme;
the responsible entity must lodge with ASIC a notice of the removal or resignation in the prescribed form.
331AD Effect of winding up on office of auditor
An auditor of a registered scheme ceases to hold office if:
(a) the scheme’s constitution provides that the scheme is to be wound up at a specified time, in specified circumstances or on the happening of a specified event, and that time is reached, those circumstances occur or that event occurs; or
(b) the members pass a resolution directing the responsible entity to wind up the scheme; or
(c) the Court makes an order directing the responsible entity to wind up the scheme; or
(d) the members pass a resolution to remove the responsible entity but do not, at the same meeting, pass a resolution choosing a company to be the new responsible entity that consents to becoming the scheme’s responsible entity.
Subdivision C—Fees and expenses of auditors
331AE Fees and expenses of auditors
The reasonable fees and expenses of an auditor of a registered scheme are payable by the responsible entity.
Part 2M.4A—Annual transparency reports for auditors
332 Meaning of transparency reporting auditor and transparency reporting year
(1) A transparency reporting auditor is:
(a) an individual auditor; or
(b) an audit firm; or
(c) an authorised audit company.
(2) A transparency reporting year is a period of 12 months starting on 1 July.
332A Transparency reporting auditors must publish annual transparency reports
(1) This section applies if, during a transparency reporting year, a transparency reporting auditor conducts audits, under Division 3 of Part 2M.3, of 10 or more bodies of any of the following kinds:
(a) listed companies;
(b) listed registered schemes;
(c) ADIs (authorised deposit‑taking institutions) within the meaning of the Banking Act 1959;
(d) bodies mentioned in paragraph (c) or (e) of the definition of body regulated by APRA in subsection 3(2) of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998;
(e) bodies prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.
Note: The 10 or more bodies do not all have to be of the same kind. This section applies (for example) if, during the year, the transparency reporting auditor conducts audits of 6 listed companies and 4 listed registered schemes.
(2) The auditor must publish an annual transparency report for the transparency reporting year, containing the information required by section 332B, on the auditor’s website within the period of 4 months after the end of the year (or that period as extended under section 332C).
Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).
(3) The auditor must lodge a copy of the report with ASIC on or before the day it is first published on the auditor’s website.
Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see subsection 1311(1)).
(4) An offence based on subsection (2) or (3) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
332B Content of annual transparency report
(1) Subject to subsection (2), an annual transparency report must contain the information prescribed by the regulations.
(2) The report may omit information that would otherwise be included under subsection (1) if the inclusion of the information is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the transparency reporting auditor. If material is omitted, the report must say so.
332C Extension of period for publication of annual transparency report
(1) On an application made by a transparency reporting auditor in accordance with subsection (3), ASIC may make an order extending the period within which the auditor must publish an annual transparency report.
(2) The order may be expressed to be subject to conditions.
(3) The application must be:
(a) in writing; and
(b) lodged with ASIC before the end of the period within which the auditor would otherwise be required to publish the report; and
(c) if the auditor is an individual auditor—signed by the auditor; and
(d) if the auditor is an audit firm—signed by a member of the firm who is a registered company auditor both:
(i) in the firm name; and
(ii) in the member’s own name; and
(e) if the auditor is an audit company:
(i) authorised by a resolution of the directors; and
(ii) signed by a director.
(4) ASIC must give the auditor written notice of the making of the order.
332D Exemption orders—applications by transparency reporting auditors
(1) On an application made by a transparency reporting auditor in accordance with subsection (3), ASIC may make an order in writing relieving the auditor from compliance with all or specified requirements of sections 332A and 332B.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 332F.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(3) The application must be:
(a) in writing; and
(b) lodged with ASIC; and
(c) if the auditor is an individual auditor—signed by the auditor; and
(d) if the auditor is an audit firm—signed by a member of the firm who is a registered company auditor both:
(i) in the firm name; and
(ii) in the member’s own name; and
(e) if the auditor is an audit company:
(i) authorised by a resolution of the directors; and
(ii) signed by a director.
(4) ASIC must give the auditor written notice of the making or revocation of the order.
332E Exemption orders—class orders for transparency reporting auditors
(1) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, make an order in respect of a specified class of transparency reporting auditors relieving the auditors from all or specified requirements of sections 332A and 332B.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 332F.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
332F Exemption orders—criteria for orders
(1) To make an order under section 332D or 332E exempting a transparency reporting auditor, or class of transparency reporting auditors, from one or more requirements of sections 332A and 332B, ASIC must be satisfied that complying with the requirements would:
(a) be inappropriate in the circumstances; or
(b) impose unreasonable burdens.
(2) In deciding for the purposes of subsection (1) whether complying with the requirements would impose an unreasonable burden on the auditor or class of auditors, ASIC is to have regard to:
(a) the expected costs of complying with the requirements; and
(b) the expected benefits of having the auditor or class of auditors comply with the requirements; and
(c) any practical difficulties that the auditor or class of auditors faces in complying effectively with the requirements; and
(d) any unusual aspects of the operations of the auditor or class of auditors; and
(e) any other matters that ASIC considers relevant.
332G Offences by members of audit firm
(1) This Part applies to an audit firm as if it were a person, but with the changes set out in this section.
(2) An obligation that would otherwise be imposed on the firm by a provision of this Part is imposed on each member of the firm instead, but may be discharged by any of the members.
(3) An offence based on a provision of this Part that would otherwise be committed by the audit firm is taken to have been committed by each member of the firm.
(4) A member of the firm does not commit an offence because of subsection (3) if the member:
(a) does not know of the circumstances that constitute the contravention of the provision concerned; or
(b) knows of those circumstances but takes all reasonable steps to correct the contravention as soon as possible after the member becomes aware of those circumstances.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (4)—see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
Part 2M.5—Accounting and auditing standards
AASB’s power to make accounting standards
(1) The AASB may, by legislative instrument, make accounting standards for the purposes of this Act. The standards must not be inconsistent with this Act or the regulations.
(4) An accounting standard applies to:
(a) periods ending after the commencement of the standard; or
(b) periods ending, or starting, on or after a later date specified in the standard.
(5) A company, registered scheme or disclosing entity may elect to apply the accounting standard to an earlier period unless the standard says otherwise. The election must be made in writing by the directors.
This Chapter (and, in particular, the provisions on consolidation of financial statements) does not prevent accounting standards from incorporating equity accounting principles.
AUASB’s power to make auditing standards
(1) The AUASB may, by legislative instrument, make auditing standards for the purposes of this Act. The standards must not be inconsistent with this Act or the regulations.
(3) An auditing standard applies to financial reports in relation to:
(a) periods ending after the commencement of the standard; or
(b) periods ending, or starting, on or after a later date specified in the standard.
(4) If:
(a) the AUASB makes an auditing standard; and
(b) the standard applies to financial reports in relation to particular periods under subsection (3); and
(c) an auditor is conducting an audit of a financial report in relation to a period that occurs before the start of the earliest of those periods;
the auditor may elect to apply the auditing standard to that audit unless the standard says otherwise. The election must be recorded in the audit report.
337 Interpretation of accounting and auditing standards
In interpreting an accounting or auditing standard, unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) expressions used in the standard have the same meanings as they have in this Chapter; and
(b) the provisions of Part 1.2 apply as if the standard’s provisions were provisions of this Chapter.
338 Evidence of text of accounting standard or auditing standard
(1) This section applies to a document that purports to be published by, or on behalf of, the AASB or the AUASB and to set out the text of:
(a) a specified standard as in force at a specified time under section 334 or 336; or
(b) a specified provision of a standard of that kind.
It also applies to a copy of a document of that kind.
(2) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a document to which this section applies is proof in proceedings under this Act that:
(a) the specified standard was in force at that time under that section; and
(b) the text set out in the document is the text of the standard referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or the provision referred to in paragraph (1)(b).
Part 2M.6—Exemptions and modifications
340 Exemption orders—companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
(1) On an application made in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to a company, registered scheme or disclosing entity, ASIC may make an order in writing relieving any of the following from all or specified requirements of Parts 2M.2, 2M.3 and 2M.4 (other than Division 4):
(a) the directors;
(b) the company, scheme or entity;
(c) the auditor.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 342.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(3) The application must be:
(a) authorised by a resolution of the directors; and
(b) in writing and signed by a director; and
(c) lodged with ASIC.
(4) ASIC must give the applicant written notice of the making, revocation or suspension of the order.
340A Exemption orders—notified foreign passport funds
(1) On an application made in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to a notified foreign passport fund, ASIC may make an order, in writing, relieving any of the following from all or specified requirements of Part 2M.3:
(a) a notified foreign passport fund;
(b) the operator of a notified foreign passport fund;
(c) directors of the operator of a notified foreign passport fund.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 342.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(3) The application must be:
(a) authorised by the operator of the notified foreign passport fund; and
(b) in writing; and
(c) lodged with ASIC.
(4) ASIC must give the applicant written notice of the making, revocation or suspension of the order.
341 Exemption orders—class orders for companies, registered schemes and disclosing entities
(1) ASIC may make an order in writing in respect of a specified class of companies, registered schemes or disclosing entities, relieving any of the following from all or specified requirements of Parts 2M.2, 2M.3 and 2M.4 (other than Division 4):
(a) directors;
(b) the companies, registered schemes or disclosing entities themselves;
(c) auditors of the companies, registered schemes or disclosing entities.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 342.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(3) Notice of the making, revocation or suspension of the order must be published in the Gazette.
341A Exemption orders—class orders for notified foreign passport funds
(1) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, make an order in respect of a specified class of notified foreign passport funds, relieving any of the following from all or specified requirements of Part 2M.3:
(a) notified foreign passport funds;
(b) the operators of notified foreign passport funds;
(c) the directors of the operators of notified foreign passport funds.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 342.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(1) To make an order under section 340, 340A, 341 or 341A, ASIC must be satisfied that complying with the relevant requirements of Parts 2M.2, 2M.3 and 2M.4 would:
(a) make the financial report or other reports misleading; or
(b) be inappropriate in the circumstances; or
(c) impose unreasonable burdens.
(2) In deciding for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the audit requirements for a proprietary company, or a class of proprietary companies, would impose an unreasonable burden on the company or companies, ASIC is to have regard to:
(a) the expected costs of complying with the audit requirements; and
(b) the expected benefits of having the company or companies comply with the audit requirements; and
(c) any practical difficulties that the company or companies face in complying effectively with the audit requirements (in particular, any difficulties that arise because a financial year is the first one for which the audit requirements apply or because the company or companies are likely to move frequently between the small and large proprietary company categories from one financial year to another); and
(d) any unusual aspects of the operation of the company or companies during the financial year concerned; and
(e) any other matters that ASIC considers relevant.
(3) In assessing expected benefits under subsection (2), ASIC is to take account of:
(a) the number of creditors and potential creditors; and
(b) the position of creditors and potential creditors (in particular, their ability to independently obtain financial information about the company or companies); and
(c) the nature and extent of the liabilities of the company or companies.
(1) On an application made in accordance with subsection (3) by any of the following, ASIC may make an order in writing relieving the applicant from all or specified requirements of Division 3 of Part 2M.4 (auditor independence):
(a) a member of the firm who is not a registered company auditor;
(b) a person who has ceased to be:
(i) a member of an audit firm; or
(ii) a director of an audit company; or
(iii) a professional employee of an audit company.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 342AC.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(3) The application must be:
(a) in writing and signed by the applicant; and
(b) lodged with ASIC.
(4) ASIC must give the applicant written notice of the making, revocation or suspension of the order.
(5) An order under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
342AB Exemption orders—class orders for non‑auditor members etc.
(1) ASIC may make an order in writing in respect of a specified class of audit firms or audit companies, relieving any of the following from all or specified requirements of Division 3 of Part 2M.4 (auditor independence):
(a) members of firms who are not registered company auditors;
(b) persons who have ceased to be:
(i) members of audit firms; or
(ii) directors of audit companies; or
(iii) professional employees of audit companies.
Note: For the criteria for making orders under this section, see section 342AC.
(2) The order may:
(a) be expressed to be subject to conditions; and
(b) be indefinite or limited to a specified period.
(3) An order under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument.
342AC Exemption orders—criteria for orders for non‑auditor members etc.
To make an order under section 342AA or 342AB, ASIC must be satisfied that complying with the relevant requirements of Division 3 of Part 2M.4 would:
(a) make the financial report or other reports misleading; or
(b) be inappropriate in the circumstances; or
(c) impose unreasonable burdens.
342A ASIC’s power to modify the operation of section 324DA
(1) On an application made in accordance with this section, ASIC may:
(a) declare that subsection 324DA(1) applies to a registered company auditor, in relation to the audit of an audited body or a class of audited bodies, as if the references in that subsection to 5 successive financial years were references to:
(i) 6 successive financial years; or
(ii) 7 successive financial years; or
(b) declare that subsection 324DA(2) applies to a registered company auditor, in relation to the audit of an audited body or a class of audited bodies during a particular period of 7 successive financial years, as if the reference in that subsection to 5 out of 7 successive financial years were a reference to 6 out of 7 successive financial years.
(2) The following persons may apply for the declaration:
(a) the registered company auditor;
(b) a firm or company on whose behalf the registered company auditor acts or would act in relation to the audit or audits.
If the application is made by a firm or company, the declaration has effect only in relation to activities undertaken by the registered company auditor on behalf of that firm or company.
(3) The application must be:
(a) in writing; and
(b) signed by the applicant; and
(c) lodged with ASIC.
(4) If the application is made by a registered company auditor who engages, or is to engage, in audit activities on behalf of a firm or company, the application must include the firm’s or company’s written consent to the application.
(5) If the application is made by a firm or company in relation to a registered company auditor, the application must include the registered company auditor’s written consent to the application.
(6) To make a declaration under subsection (1), ASIC must be satisfied that, without the modification, Division 4 of Part 2M.4 would impose an unreasonable burden on:
(a) a registered company auditor; or
(b) a firm or company that is applying for the declaration; or
(c) the audited body or bodies in relation to which the application was made.
(7) In deciding for the purposes of subsection (6) whether, without the modification, Division 4 of Part 2M.4 would impose an unreasonable burden on a person referred to in that subsection, ASIC is to have regard to:
(a) the nature of the audited body or bodies, including whether the activity in which the audited body or bodies engage is such that specialist knowledge about that activity is necessary to carry out the audit properly; and
(b) the availability of other registered company auditors capable of providing satisfactory audit services for the audited body or bodies; and
(c) any other matters which ASIC considers relevant.
(8) ASIC must give the applicant written notice of the making, revocation or suspension of the declaration.