Sustainability‑related opportunities and risks are changing financial markets, economies and societies. Businesses, investors and policy‑makers are responding quickly in Australia and around the world.
The government is committed to progressing a sustainable finance agenda. Australia’s net zero transformation needs private capital investment. The comprehensive, coordinated and ambitious agenda aims to support investment.
Strategy
The government announced it would pursue the agenda under a new Sustainable Finance Strategy.
The strategy supports Australia’s pathway to net zero. It provides a framework for reducing barriers to investment into sustainable activities.
The government consulted on the Sustainable Finance Strategy paper.
Roadmap
The Sustainable Finance Roadmap describes sustainable finance reforms and measures. It outlines how the government will implement them.
Taxonomy
The sustainable finance taxonomy provides common definitions for sustainable economic activities in Australia.
Transition planning guidance
On 15 August 2025, a consultation paper on the climate-related transition planning guidance was released for public consultation. The government has committed to releasing the final guidance by the end of 2025.
View the climate-related transition planning guidance consultation for further information.
Sustainable financial product labelling
On 18 July 2025, a consultation paper on sustainable investment product labels was released for public consultation. The Government is targeting 2027 for regime commencement subject to final policy decisions.
View the sustainable investment product labels consultation for further information.
Climate-related financial reporting
New climate reporting rules started in Australia on 1 January 2025.
These rules are part of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (Cth), which became law on 17 September 2024.
The new rules will be introduced in 3 stages:
- Group 1: Reports for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025
- Group 2: Reports for financial years starting on or after 1 July 2026
- Group 3: Reports for financial years starting on or after 1 July 2027
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
ASIC has released Regulatory Guide 280. It explains how to meet the new climate reporting rules.
ASIC’s website also covers:
- Who needs to report
- What to include
- How and when to send the report to ASIC
- What support and temporary rules are available
If you run a small business, ASIC has a FAQ page to answer common questions.
ASIC has worked with the AASB, the University of Technology Sydney and Studio 3 Learning to create learning materials about sustainability reporting.
Australian Accounting Standards Board
The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has made an online AASB S2 Knowledge Hub.
It explains how to use the AASB S2: Climate-related Disclosures standard.
The hub includes a FAQ section for extra help.
Assurance standards
The Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) has approved new international audit standards. These standards will start with limited assurance and move to reasonable assurance over time.
You can read more about:
Information for farmers
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has prepared a Farmer Factsheet to explain these rules.
Related content
- Green Bond program
- Media release – New legislation to strengthen financial system and boost investment in cleaner, cheaper energy – 27 March 2024
- Climate‑related financial disclosure: exposure draft legislation
- Climate‑related financial disclosure: Second consultation
- Climate‑related financial disclosure: First consultation
- Auditing and Assurance Standards Board – Consultation Paper on Assurance over Climate and Other Sustainability Information
- Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards – Exposure Draft Consultation ED SR1 Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards