On 8 October 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) issued its latest annual report.
The annual report covering 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 reflects on ASIC’s work during the year where enforcement activity was ramped up and a significant body of work to address regulatory complexity in Australia’s markets was commenced.
In terms of ramping up enforcement activity, the annual report notes that ASIC prosecuted 235 individuals for strict liability offences, resulting in $1.6 million in fines, while it commenced 38 civil proceedings, involving actions against 195 defendants and $104.1 million in civil penalties imposed by the courts. It also secured $16.8 million in court-imposed criminal fines.
The annual report also highlights ASIC’s work during the year which included:
- Publishing ASIC’s first discussion paper into the dynamics of Australia’s public and private markets.
- Launching the Regulatory Simplification Consultative Group.
- Commencing an inquiry into the Australian Securities Exchange governance, capability and risk management following serious and repeated failures
- Uncovering death benefit failures in the superannuation sector and launching various enforcement actions against superannuation trustees.
- Reviewing the use of artificial intelligence by financial services and credit licensees.
- Taking down over 6,900 investment scam and phishing websites.