Our unique integrated approach drives value for our members.
ACSI’s Governance Guidelines are a clear statement of our members’ expectations about the governance practices of the companies in which they invest. The Guidelines provide insights about the governance issues of material concern to our members.
Our priorities
ACSI engages with ASX listed companies on a range of financially material issues on behalf of our members.
Board composition and diversity
Companies are likely to be most successful when they harness collective intelligence and approach problems with cognitive diversity. In addition to core skills and experience, company boards should be made up of directors drawing from a range of criteria, including gender, ethnicity and age. ACSI engages with listed companies to understand their approach to board composition and, when required, secure clear and time-bound commitments to improve composition and diversity.
Accountability and oversight
A key part of ACSI’s engagement involves assessing director accountability, particularly where failures at one company raises questions about a director’s suitability across their portfolio of board positions. Directors’ commitments at other boards can affect their ability to contribute effectively, particularly if one company is in crisis. Rather than applying a blanket rule on “over-boarding”, ACSI engages directly with boards to understand individual directors’ contributions and how they manage their workloads. Board oversight is essential in deciding which sustainability and governance risks are material to each company, and to ensuring those risks are considered in the company’s strategy and long-term ambitions.
Remuneration
Executive remuneration is a cornerstone of corporate governance, acting as a vital link between company performance and long-term shareholder value. Effective pay structures must balance the retention of talent while only rewarding genuine performance. By integrating rigorous financial and non-financial targets aligned to corporate strategy, boards can incentivise long-term sustainable growth while mitigating excessive risk. Executive remuneration gives investors insight into the relationship between the board and executives, company culture and strategy. It should be designed to promote sustainable long-term performance and shareholder value creation.
Climate change
Climate change can materially impact investment value through physical, transition and systemic risks. These can alter asset valuations, cost structures, supply chains and long-term growth and profitability, while also creating opportunities in renewable energy, green technologies and sustainable solutions. As universal owners, superannuation funds cannot diversify away from the impact of climate change and investments are increasingly expected to be affected over time. Climate-related risks are financial and a significant challenge for Australian companies and investors. We engage with listed companies about how they are managing the risks and the opportunities of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Responsible AI
AI is being deployed across all sectors and reshaping workforces. How companies govern their use of AI, manage emerging risks and treat their workers in the process bears directly on their reputation, competitive positioning, operational sustainability and long-term returns. ACSI has conducted research on Responsible AI to examine how AI is being used, risks managed, opportunities pursued, what disclosures investors can reasonably expect from companies and what to do with it. ACSI is speaking with companies to get a clearer picture of what AI means for their operations, workforce and prospects.
Workplace safety
Workplace health and safety is a longstanding priority in ACSI’s engagement program. We monitor the safety performance of ASX300 companies and engage when workplace-related incidents arise to understand what is being done to strengthen safety risk management. We also identify areas for improvement in governance, culture, alignment with remuneration, and reporting. Safety directly affects employee wellbeing, productivity, and overall company performance. Beyond the human impact, poor safety practices can expose companies to substantial financial, operational, and reputational risks.
Modern Slavery
The exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain can occur in every industry and, in addition to its shocking human impact, poses significant risks for companies. By relying on unethical and unsustainable business practices, companies risk reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and eroded stakeholder trust. These issues can disrupt operations, increase costs, and undermine brand value, long-term shareholder value and financial performance. ACSI seeks to drive better practice in ASX300 companies and help our investor members meet their own obligations under the Modern Slavery Act and, through this work, contribute to ending modern slavery.
Nature
With more than half of global GDP dependent on nature, declining ecosystem services translate directly into economic and portfolio risk. These exposures are not always visible, as impacts can arise through supply chains and financing activities rather than direct operations. Companies must be aware of and manage nature risks and opportunities to safeguard long-term returns and maintain their social license to operate in an increasingly nature-strained economy. ACSI engages with listed companies to understand their key nature risks, encourage them to make improvements in managing those risks (where relevant) and to disclose available information.
First Nations
First Nations people and communities have inherent rights, cultural heritage and a vital role in decisions that affect them. Failing to respect First Nations’ peoples’ rights as custodians of their heritage and land can result in significant financial and operational risks, including project delays, conflicts, litigation, and reputational damage to the company and significant impacts on First Nations communities. ACSI encourages companies to build mutually beneficial, constructive relationships with First Nations people on whose land they operate, and to embed Free Prior Informed Consent standards into policies and practices.
Modern Slavery Reporting
October 14, 2026
ACSI’s 24th annual survey of CEO pay in Australia’s largest listed companies, was conducted with research from Ownership Matters. It remains the benchmark longitudinal study into remuneration trends and outcomes, and includes our unique ‘realised pay’ data.
ACSI’s 24th annual survey of CEO pay in Australia’s largest listed companies, was conducted with research from Ownership Matters. It remains the benchmark longitudinal study into remuneration trends and outcomes, and includes our unique ‘realised pay’ data.