Research

Incremental progress, persistent gaps: ASX200 reporting under Australia’s Modern Slavery Act is ACSI’s third assessment of company reporting and risk management under Australia’s Modern Slavery Act (‘MSA’). This year’s research comes after six cycles of reporting under the MSA and finds that while progress continues, it remains uneven. Many companies have strengthened the foundations of their modern slavery risk management, but relatively few are demonstrating the more mature practices needed to identify, prevent and remediate modern slavery risks.

US-based companies have staked their claim to the biggest salaries in the ASX, with five out of the top 10 highest earners this year CEOs of US-domiciled companies, according ACSI’s latest research. It’s the first time in the history of this study that CEOs outside Australia have taken half of the top ten spots, although US-based CEOs have always featured.

It is not for companies to solve the mental health crisis on their own, but research shows workplaces can make a significant difference. This research assesses ASX20 companies against the CCLA Corporate Mental Health Benchmark to support a better understanding of the baseline state of publicly available mental health reporting in Australia.

This guidance from ACSI and the AICD was developed to support boards and investors in navigating the complexities of climate transition planning. It reflects insights from directors and investors who have practical experience preparing and analysing company transition plans and provides an overview of directors’ legal obligations.

ACSI’s 24th annual survey of CEO pay in Australia’s largest listed companies finds termination payments to CEOs of Australia’s largest listed companies have shrunk to their lowest levels in 15 years.

This paper compiles many years of research on the financial benefits of managing ESG risks and opportunities. It includes academic studies, specific research, meta studies, and reports from investment or governance advisors into the systemic risks of sustainability issues.

This study explores Australian attitudes towards the active ownership practices of superannuation funds and analysis of the financial materiality of sustainability issues.

Our annual research reveals that investors are getting clearer sight of how Australian listed companies factor climate change into their operations, with a growing number of ASX200 companies integrating climate change considerations into their financial statements and pricing carbon to test business resilience.

CEO pay levels have decreased in many of Australia’s listed companies, but bonuses have become the norm, our annual examination of CEO pay reveals. Over the past year, a CEO is more likely to lose their job than their bonus.