- PUBLIC POLICY -
Public policy and regulations fundamentally influence the flow of capital
ASFI’s Public Policy Program seeks to influence government policy to support finance and investment for sustainability – across climate, nature and social wellbeing.
ASFI brings a whole of finance sector perspective to key policy challenges
We act as a bridge between finance sector and policy makers, promoting reforms that can unlock sustainable finance and investment in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
Through our Policy Program ASFI:
- Advocates for reforms that will support efficient allocation of capital for sustainability
- Supports ASFI members to engage in key reform processes and initiatives
- Convenes industry and government for policy dialogues to address sustainability-related challenges and opportunities

Policy Submissions

October 7, 2026

October 7, 2026

May 29, 2026

March 18, 2026
ASFI’s submission to Treasury’s second consultation on Sustainable Investment Product Labelling- Policy Design expresses support for the direction of Treasury’s proposals while noting that it was important not to overstate what product labelling can achieve.

February 9, 2026
ASFI’s submission to the Australian Government’s General Review of ChAFTA focuses on how trade policy settings can better support sustainable investment, emerging green industries and cross-border capital flows between Australia and China.

January 30, 2026
ASFI’s submission to the UK Transition Finance Council’s second consultation on entity-level transition finance reflects a consistent ASFI position: transition finance is only credible when it is anchored in real-economy change.

December 19, 2025
ASFI outlines key design principles for Australia’s $1.1bn Cleaner Fuels Program, focusing on taxonomy alignment, cost-effective abatement and policy settings to unlock low-carbon liquid fuels.

December 17, 2025
ASFI’s submission to DFAT’s Southeast Asia FTAs modernisation review, outlining priorities to support green trade, sustainable investment and regional capital flows

November 7, 2025
ACSI, ASFI and RIAA have responded to the ACCC’s consideration of class exemptions to improve business productivity. We recommend the ACCC consider a sustainability-related class exemption, modelled on the UK approach, to provide clear legal certainty for low-risk cooperation that delivers environmental and productivity benefits.

October 20, 2025
ASFI has lodged its submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources on the design of the National Reconstruction Fund’s Net Zero Fund.

October 15, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) has lodged its submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s consultation on Implementing Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024–2030.

September 23, 2025
ASFI has responded to Treasury’s Draft Transition Planning Guidance, supporting clear and internationally aligned standards to help businesses develop credible transition plans. Our submission calls for stronger principles, clarity on government direction, use of the Australian taxonomy, funding disclosure, robust First Nations engagement, and clear guardrails on carbon credits.

September 21, 2025
ASFI’s submission highlights the importance of clear, Paris-aligned guidance for credible transition planning, recommending stronger safeguards on taxonomies and capital expenditure alignment to ensure finance supports genuine decarbonisation.

September 5, 2025
ASFI has responded to the Climate Change Authority’s 2025 Issues Paper, emphasising the link between climate change and productivity, the need for strong policy signals to unlock investment in mitigation and adaptation, and the role of supportive regulatory settings. Our submission highlights reforms to drive decarbonisation, resilience, and capital flows towards Australia’s net zero transition.

September 3, 2025
ASFI has lodged its submission to Treasury’s consultation on Sustainable Investment Product Labels. We support a flexible, credible framework that improves transparency, reduces greenwashing, and aligns with international approaches. The submission sets out three core principles; flexibility, integrity and international alignment, to strengthen consumer trust and grow Australia’s sustainable finance market.

June 6, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Productivity Commission’s consultation on ‘Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation.’

June 4, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s exposure draft of proposed amendments to the S2 standard.

January 31, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the TNFD’s discussion paper on nature transition plans. Nature loss poses considerable systemic and organisational risks to financial institutions. In this regard, we welcome the focus from the TNFD on nature transition plans, including the recommendations that organisations seek to move towards integrated transition plans (covering a range of sustainability issues) in time.

December 20, 2024
ASFI has made a submission to ASIC’s consultation paper on its proposed regulatory guidance for sustainability reporting.

December 10, 2024
Over the last year, a Joint Parliamentary Committee has been conducting an inquiry into First Nations self-determination. The Committee’s report was released earlier this month and garnered a strong response from First Nations groups. In this piece we outline ASFI’s analysis of the report and our recommendations for next steps.

December 3, 2024
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to Australia’s Carbon Leakage review.

October 3, 2024
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to respond to consultations on the establishment of a new ‘Front Door’ for major transformational investments, announced as part of the Future Made in Australia package.
September 30, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) is pleased to respond to Treasury consultations in relation to the National Competition Policy (NCP).
July 26, 2024
ASFI welcomes the ACCC’s draft guide as a positive step for sustainability-related collaboration.
July 15, 2024
Treasury is seeking feedback on its current proposals for implementing a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive and Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive. Both incentives form part of the Government’s Future Made in Australia package.
July 12, 2024
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ consultation on green metals.

July 4, 2024
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is seeking submissions to guide policy development to support an Australian green metals industry and contribute to a Future Made in Australia.
May 24, 2024
Read ASFI’s submission to the Inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians.

May 16, 2024
The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is currently seeking submissions to the Inquiry into Economic Self-Determination and Opportunities for First Nations Australians.
May 14, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback to the Parliament of South Australia Natural Resources Committee’s Inquiry on Environmental, Social & Governance.
May 10, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the Australian Government’s plan to progress Nature Positive law reforms.
May 6, 2024
We commend ASX's efforts to revise its Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations to align with evolving corporate responsibility and transparency standards. In response to the proposed reforms, we want to emphasise the importance of elevating First Nations perspectives within the governance framework and disclosure practices outlined in the consultation paper.

April 29, 2024
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is currently inviting feedback on its proposed fifth edition of the Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations.

April 22, 2024
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback in relation to the Australian Government’s consultation paper on design options for the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) Annual Superannuation Performance Test.

April 17, 2024
The Australian Government is seeking public comment on proposed options to reform the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) Performance Test.
April 12, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the publication of the Government’s National Adaptation Plan Issues Paper, alongside the first pass National Climate Risk Assessment.
April 1, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) and Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) welcome the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures’ (TNFD) additional guidance for financial institutions.

March 1, 2024
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the Indigenous Procurement Policy consultation review.
February 29, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s exposure draft climate disclosure standards.
February 29, 2024
The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) is consulting on draft standards to adopt the global baseline sustainability standards (IFRS S2 and parts of IFRS S1) in Australia.
February 17, 2024
The Government has committed to introduce standardised, internationally-aligned reporting requirements for businesses to make disclosures that support better transparency and accountability for investors and consumers. This will be a multi-phase consultation with the new rules expected to commence from FY 2024-25.
February 9, 2024
Find ASFI’s submission to the Australian Government’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy consultation paper.
February 9, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Exposure Draft of the Climate-related financial disclosure legislation.
December 21, 2023
Find ASFI’s submission on the Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan.
December 6, 2023
Read ASFI’s submission to the Government’s Sustainable Finance Strategy Consultation.
October 6, 2023
After two years of iterative development, on 18 September 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published its final (v1.0) recommendations for nature-related risk management and disclosure. Read our “ASFI explainer” for the final recommendations.
September 4, 2023
ASFI contributed to a joint submission to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on proposed priorities for its next two-year work plan together with 15 peak professional, industry and investors bodies in Australia.
July 27, 2023
In July 2023, the Australian Treasury invited feedback on its second consultation paper on Climate-related Disclosures. ASFI supports the introduction of mandatory climate disclosures for the Australian market. A robust and workable climate disclosures framework will help financial institutions make better decisions, firms understand and manage climate risk and opportunity, and regulators combat greenwashing.

July 3, 2023
Find ASFI’s submission to the Climate Change Authority’s consultation on “Setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets”.
June 2, 2023
Read ASFI’s submission to the Nature Repair Market (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023.
Policy News & Insights

October 7, 2026

July 17, 2026

June 16, 2026

May 13, 2026

March 30, 2026
ASFI marked the release of new debt guidance at an event convening professionals from major banks, central financing agencies, Treasury bodies, superannuation and investment organisations, and other institutions involved in the development, assessment and issuance of labelled debt.

March 27, 2026
Southeast Asia is a major growth region, yet Australian investment remains low. ASFI’s Investor Showcase highlights how debt markets, blended finance and the Net Zero Transition Bond are supporting new pathways for capital into the region.

March 9, 2026
On 17 February 2026, ASFI was pleased to convene the first South East Asia Investor Showcase of 2026 with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, bringing institutional investors together to explore opportunities under Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P).

February 23, 2026
ASFI explores the structural, regulatory and organisational conditions required for Australian institutions to scale blended finance participation in Southeast Asia.

December 18, 2025
ASFI has taken time to reflect carefully on where the organisation can add the most value in the First Nations and Finance space in 2026.

December 16, 2025
This year-in-review reflects the twelve key system signals observed through ASFI’s engagement, analysis and collaborative work across 2025, highlighting where momentum is building, where challenges remain, and what these signals mean for 2026.

December 5, 2025
ASFI and a consortium of Australian and Chinese partners have convened the third workshop in the Australia-China sustainable finance dialogue series in Hong Kong SAR.

December 5, 2025
Australia and New Zealand have signalled a renewed commitment to regional cooperation on sustainable finance, following a joint statement from Ministers Chris Bowen and Simon Watts.

November 23, 2025

November 17, 2025
Transition finance dominated COP30, and ASFI returns with new insights to strengthen credible, science-based pathways for Australia’s transition.

November 12, 2025
ASFI’s annual Member Delegation to Parliament House brought senior representatives from Australia’s largest financial institutions together with key policymakers to advance dialogue on unlocking private capital for Australia’s transition.
The event reinforced ASFI’s role as a trusted, non-partisan convener between finance and policy.

November 6, 2025
ASFI, UK Finance and UKSIF convened members from both countries for a roundtable on credible transition finance. The conversation highlighted how Australia and the UK are taking different paths toward the same goal; aligning finance with science-based transition strategies that can deliver real-world impact.

October 14, 2025
Speaking the same language in sustainable finance is about more than definitions, it’s about unlocking cross-border capital flows by making frameworks comparable. This was the focus of ASFI’s recent visit to Beijing, for an expert panel session and workshop discussion.

October 2, 2025
Australia has now set out its 2035 climate target and long-awaited net zero plan, a significant step that will require strong policy frameworks and market alignment to translate ambition into delivery.

August 26, 2025
ASFI is reinforcing calls for a coordinated Green Exports Strategy after participating in the World Economic Forum and Greenhouse-hosted Green Iron Workshop in Adelaide last week.

August 7, 2025
Last week we had the privilege of bringing together hundreds of passionate finance, policy and sustainability leaders for the Australian Sustainable Finance Summit. Not to rehash the challenges we face, but to focus on the actions that come next.

July 10, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) authorisation of aspects of its work, supporting collaborative action across the finance sector to unlock private capital for Australia’s climate transition and other critical sustainability and social objectives.

June 29, 2025
As the dust settles on London Climate Action Week 2025, the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) delegation returns home energized and inspired. Over four packed days, the delegation engaged with global leaders in sustainable finance, sharing Australia’s progress and learning from international peers.

June 26, 2025

June 25, 2025
Australia and China share deeply complementary economies, with a strong trade relationship that has driven robust growth for decades. This relationship is poised to undergo significant change, with demand for less carbon-intensive products requiring fundamental changes to key industries.
The first roundtable of the Australia-China Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Roadmap project brought together experts from leading Australian and Chinese institutions to identify a path toward closer alignment of Australian and Chinese sustainable finance settings

May 28, 2025

March 25, 2025
ASFI’s 2025-26 Budget Review unpacks the announcements to give you the highlights (roses), lowlights (thorns), and opportunities (rosebuds) for accelerating sustainable finance and investment in Australia and the region.

March 12, 2025
On 26 February, the European Commission published the Omnibus Simplification Package, a set of reform proposals which seek to simplify requirements across key existing EU sustainability-related regulations. In this blog, we outline key proposed changes, their implications, and stakeholder reactions.

March 9, 2025
Between 21-26 February, ASFI CEO Kristy Graham visited Singapore and Indonesia as part of ASFI’s partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

December 8, 2024
On November 4, the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) convened an event with FinDev Canada, Export Finance Australia (EFA), and leading Australian financing institutions. The goal? To explore how public-private partnerships can unlock investment for the climate transition in Southeast Asia.

November 27, 2024
Read ASFI’s reflections from this year’s UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (“COP29”), which wrapped up last week in Baku.
November 6, 2024
Last week, we gathered on Gadigal Country to host the Australian Sustainable Finance Summit, bringing together experts, leaders, and changemakers committed to shaping a sustainable financial future.
October 21, 2024
CEO of the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI), Kristy Graham, met today with His Majesty the King as part of his visit to the Australian National Botanical Gardens.

October 14, 2024
The Global Nature Positive Summit, held in Sydney from 8-10 October, marked a pivotal moment in the intersection of nature conservation and business and finance interests. Read ASFI’s key takeaways from the Summit.

June 27, 2024
ASFI members came together on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country this week, braving the Canberra cold for a full program of meetings with Ministers, Parliamentarians and Senior Officials on sustainable finance.

June 21, 2024
Earlier this month, Purdie Bowden (Program Lead; Policy and Sustainable Finance Solutions), represented ASFI on the international stage in Singapore. Read her highlights and reflections.
May 27, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) has today released a public consultation paper for the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy (the Taxonomy).

May 23, 2024
This month, ASFI was on the ground in Indonesia exchanging valuable knowledge on sustainable finance taxonomies with Indonesian Government representatives.

May 17, 2024
Read reflections on the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium from Tiarne Shutt, ASFI’s Program Lead; First Nations and Finance.

May 15, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI), has today welcomed the strong steps on sustainable finance and investment in the 2024-25 Federal Budget.

May 15, 2024
ASFI’s 2024-25 Budget Wrap unpacks the announcements to give you the highlights (roses), lowlights (thorns), and rosebuds (opportunities) for accelerating sustainable finance and investment in Australia and the region.
Policy Research

April 1, 2026
This outcomes report from ASFI and IAG’s Climate Action Week 2026 ‘Advancing Priority Actions for Financing Adaptation and Resilience’ reveals current challenges and practical pathways to mobilise capital into adaptation and resilience.

March 23, 2026
This first of its kind guidance sets out how the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy can be applied to use-of-proceeds debt, with a focus on use-of-proceeds instruments including green, social and sustainability bonds and loans.

March 11, 2026

November 24, 2025
This paper reviews how current corporate and sustainability reporting frameworks address First Nations issues, identifying major gaps in materiality, governance and data sovereignty. It outlines the risks these gaps create for companies and investors, and outlines a potential pathway to improve the quality and consistency of First Nations disclosures in Australia.
November 19, 2025
ASFI’s annual review of sustainable finance highlights continued progress and clear areas requiring action. The 2025 Progress Tracker shows meaningful progress on core reforms, and highlights the continuing need for financial institutions to deepen the integration of sustainability across governance, culture and performance frameworks.

October 29, 2025
Early market insights from ASFI’s Taxonomy Implementation Program reveal strong demand to expand the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to include climate adaptation and resilience — a low-cost, high-impact way to unlock private capital for Australia’s transition.

October 9, 2025
Australia’s climate policy framework has evolved rapidly, and is starting to form a system that gives financial institutions the clarity and confidence to back the transition. Our latest paper, How elements of Australia’s climate architecture combine to enable private capital flows for climate mitigation, maps how the key components fit together.

September 15, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is the first in the world to cover the mining sector, and now ASFI is once again breaking new ground, after being engaged to explore science-based methods for developing draft taxonomy nature criteria for agriculture, forestry and land management – sectors critical to biodiversity, water, pollution management and national resilience.

August 24, 2025
Developed with Farming for Future and informed by collaborative engagement with the NCAG as part of the VNC program, this report shares final insights from the program, highlights key barriers to progress and outlines a proposed way forward to embed natural capital into mainstream financial decision-making.

June 16, 2025
The Australian sustainable finance taxonomy provides a common language for green and transition finance in Australia, supporting the allocation of capital towards activities that enable Australia’s net zero ambitions.

June 6, 2025
ASFI’s COP31 SteerCo has outlined a trade, finance and investment agenda; consisting of five high impact initiatives designed to break down barriers to decarbonisation, and one focused on adaptation and resilience.

May 26, 2025
Last year, ASFI released a pilot Sustainable Finance Capability Framework to help guide finance professionals and organisations to develop the skills, knowledge, and mindsets to advance sustainable finance. We’re pleased to share an updated version of the pilot Framework, incorporating valuable feedback from stakeholders across the sector.

May 14, 2025
ASFI is pleased to publish our policy platform, outlining our priorities for the 48th Parliament consistent with our mission to realign the financial system for sustainability, resilience and inclusivity.

April 30, 2025
ASFI is pleased to release a new report from Kaya Partners, Maximising Australia’s green growth: Leveraging trade and aid policy to drive Australia’s green exports agenda, setting out how Australia can work with our trade partners to jointly transition our heavy industries into a net zero world.

March 6, 2025
The past year has marked a period of significant progress for sustainable finance in Australia. Through collaborative effort and strategic action, we are beginning to see ambition translate into tangible outcomes, laying the foundation for a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive financial system. This Annual Report highlights these successes in 2024, achieved in partnership with our members and partners.

March 2, 2025
The Australian Sustainable Finance Action Plan 2025-2027 (‘Action Plan’) sharpens focus on 26 priority actions across 8 key domains for a financial system that supports a prosperous and inclusive economy, and a better future for all Australians.

December 1, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) has today released a market assessment report exploring opportunities to scale Australian investment for the net zero transition in South and Southeast Asia emerging markets.

November 22, 2024
Today, ASFI is pleased to launch our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), centred on economic empowerment and inclusion.

October 30, 2024
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) is pleased to launch the second and final round of public consultation on the development of an Australian sustainable finance taxonomy.
September 23, 2024
ASFI has released our fourth annual Australian Sustainable Finance Progress Tracker report on implementation of the Australian Sustainable Finance Roadmap.

June 20, 2024
ASFI and Macdoch Foundation’s Farming for the Future have today released first insights from our ‘Valuing Natural Capital’ partnership.
May 27, 2024
ASFI is pleased to launch the first round of public consultation on the development of an Australian sustainable finance taxonomy.

April 22, 2024
15 of Australia’s most influential organisations representing business, finance and both retail and institutional investors and shareholders have come together to support the passage of Schedule 4 of the Federal Government’s Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (Climate reporting Bill).
March 14, 2024
The past year has seen some of the fastest momentum in the development of sustainable finance. This Annual Report highlights the focus ASFI has put into capitalising on this moment of opportunity, and the success we have achieved in working together with our members and other partners to advance our mission.

December 5, 2023
ASFI has today published two methodology papers as we take a further step towards the development of Australia’s sustainable finance taxonomy.

November 10, 2023
?On 2 November 2023, Treasury released the Government’s highly anticipated Sustainable Finance Strategy consultation paper.
October 27, 2023
On 24 October 2023, at a sold-out summit, over 350 attendees from across finance, business, government, civil society, and academia came together to unpack this year’s theme; ‘driving ambition: Australia’s time to lead’.

October 23, 2023
ASFI is delighted to launch our 2023 Australian Sustainable Finance Progress Tracker. This is our third annual report on progress towards implementing the Australian Sustainable Finance Roadmap.

October 6, 2023
July 30, 2023
This report identifies key considerations to inform the methodology for integrating transition activities in an Australian taxonomy. The report’s findings were informed by and adapted from the most advanced transition methodologies currently under development internationally, as well as international best practice on transition financing and disclosures.
July 17, 2023
Today, we are pleased to have published our 2023 Mid-Year Report, which reflects on the work and progress we have achieved over the past 6 months and provides an outlook of our priority areas for the remainder of the year.

March 26, 2023
This report provides recommendations on the core design elements for an Australian taxonomy. Through a public consultation process that helped inform the report, ASFI found there is broad consensus on the core design elements of an Australian taxonomy, including in relation to credibility; usability; interoperability; and prioritisation and impact. Consultation also revealed strong support for the inclusion of a transition category in an Australian taxonomy.
February 17, 2023
Read ASFI’s July 2021 - December 2022 Annual Report.

January 24, 2023
This paper provides recommendations on the design of an Australian sustainable finance taxonomy, and the roadmap and timeline for its immediate development. The paper is informed by stakeholder consultation, the Australian economic and environmental context and insights gained through the development of the taxonomy project’s Scoping paper of international taxonomies.
November 9, 2022
ASFI is pleased to have supported research led by the Conexus Institute together with FTSE Russell and the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia into the impact of the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) performance test.
November 9, 2022
ASFI is pleased to have supported research led by the Conexus Institute together with FTSE Russell and the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia into the impact of the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) performance test.
October 27, 2022
This is the second report on implementation of the Roadmap. It shows progress has been made against a broad range of Roadmap recommendations, with some standout achievements including the establishment in 2021 of the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) as a permanent body to coordinate and drive Roadmap implementation.

October 16, 2022
This report compares taxonomy frameworks used in 13 jurisdictions internationally with similar economic compositions and needs to Australia, and identifies lessons to inform the development of an Australian taxonomy.
Work Programs
& System Levers
ASFI delivers its work through programs that address different parts of the financial system. Together, they strengthen the policy, market and capability foundations required for sustainable finance to grow with credibility.







