The Central Business District (CBD) skyline is pictured at sunset in Sydney, Australia, June 4, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo
July 30 (Reuters) - Australia's corporate regulator unveiled measures to simplify compliance with new beneficial ownership disclosure reforms on Thursday, as part of efforts to improve transparency in listed companies.
Here are some details:
- The Australian Securities and Investments Commission introduced a new Substantial Holding Notice form that consolidates three existing forms into one.
- The regulator also simplified calculations used to determine deemed economic interests and offsetting short positions in listed securities.
- ASIC also adopted an index-based format for registers of relevant interests and updated guidance relating to substantial holding disclosures, takeover bids and beneficial ownership reporting requirements.
- The changes follow consultation earlier this year on technical settings for the enhanced beneficial ownership regime after legislation passed in December 2025 imposed additional disclosure obligations on listed entities.
- ASIC said it was exploring a web-based portal with market operators to allow users to submit substantial holding information.
- The enhanced substantial holding and beneficial ownership disclosure obligations will apply to firms listed on Australian financial markets from December 4.
Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala
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