Since joining CA ANZ, I have been delighted to meet and engage with our members, government and other important stakeholders. I look forward to championing the essential role accounting plays in the conception and delivery of major policy and economic reforms.

CA ANZ’s targeted advocacy, media and government engagement this year has been both extensive and impactful. We addressed key issues affecting the profession in Australia, New Zealand and globally, achieving significant improvements in member ratings of both our advocacy influence and representation of the professional interests of chartered accountants.

Here are CA ANZ’s advocacy achievements in FY25, highlighting our Australian team’s strong submissions, grassroots action, and practical policy asks which earned policy makers’ approval.

Tax

Following months of sustained advocacy, CA ANZ secured significant amendments to a poorly designed legislative determination that adversely impacted tax agents. CA ANZ also developed materials and webinars to help members adhere to these new provisions.

CA ANZ successfully advocated for the Australian Government to retain the registered professional association pathway to tax agent registration. This decision recognises the high standards of CA ANZ member education and ethics.

To help improve ATO service standards, CA ANZ also successfully enlisted the support of the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman who is currently reviewing the ATO’s tax agent phone line, ATO letters, and has announced reviews of online services for tax agents, general interest charge (GIC) remissions and the treatment of taxpayer accounts that have been affected by fraud.

Superannuation and financial advice

CA ANZ continued strong advocacy to highlight deficiencies in the Australian Government’s proposed ‘better targeted superannuation tax concessions’ – an additional tax measure on superannuation account balances of A$3 million from 1 July 2025. We sustained our advocacy to remove unintended, unfair outcomes from non-arm’s-length income/expenses in superannuation funds and related amendments. We also continued to participate in the co-design of the payday super reforms which will mandate that employers pay superannuation guarantee contributions concurrently with salary and wages (scheduled to commence 1 July 2026).

CA ANZ steadfastly advocated to enable all Australians to access affordable financial advice by allowing qualified accountants to provide it. At ‘Delivering Better Financial Outcomes (DBFO) package’ tranche 1 industry stakeholder meetings with regulators, CA ANZ advocated to introduce future DBFO tranches and flexible education standards for financial advisers. We also continued advocacy for greater legislative clarity on wholesale and sophisticated investor tests to help mitigate undue risk borne by our members, and address consumer harm from inappropriate financial advice.

Audit and assurance

CA ANZ published 11 recommendations in July 2024, as part of our response to Treasury’s consultation on the regulation of accounting, auditing and consulting firms, repeating our call for government to clarify its role and scope as an audit regulator. We also made 16 recommendations in response to the Australian National Audit Office’s performance audit of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission’s (ASIC) effectiveness and efficiency in regulating registered company auditors, based on outreach with auditors.

Financial reporting

After urging government consultation on any plans to restructure standard-setting arrangements, CA ANZ welcomed Treasury’s consultation on merging accounting and audit standard-setting activities and the Financial Reporting Council into a single body. We garnered support from a wide range of investor and business stakeholder groups, emphasising the need for a balanced board with current, practising and independent members, and to not remove legislative guardrails.

We also undertook a campaign aimed at the urgent need to mandate digital reporting in Australia, engaging investors, preparers, auditors and other key stakeholders, and achieving buy-in from the Productivity Commission in its inquiry into harnessing data and digital technology.

Skills, workforce and migration

In Australia, CA ANZ secured inclusion of 10 accounting, audit and finance occupations on the government’s Core Skills Occupation List for temporary migration to fill local workforce gaps. We also succeeded in retaining auditors and tax accountants on the Occupation Shortage List which informs domestic skills and training policy decisions. CA ANZ continued advocating with government and educators to build the profession’s talent pipeline, address skill shortages, and boost productivity. We advocated for refocusing migration on skills, and investing in the right skills, training and technology to grow the workforce and support First Nations participation and representation.

Education

CA ANZ supported the Australian Government’s proposal to increase participation in tertiary education by reducing student loan debt by a further 20% and providing extra support for disadvantaged students. In Australia, we continued advocating with government and educators to increase fairness, affordability, and access to careers in accounting through tertiary education funding and financing reform, and curriculum reform. We also argued for expanding support for accounting education in high schools to broaden the pathways into accounting, enhance the attractiveness of accounting as a career choice and increase the supply of future-ready members.

Climate and sustainability

Ahead of the federal election, CA ANZ participated in a peak bodies statement supporting the transition to net zero and called for stable climate and energy policy. CA ANZ also endorsed new global principles for members of the Accounting Bodies Network (ABN) of Accounting for Sustainability, which will position the profession to lead the transition to a sustainable future.

Following new legislation and standards on mandatory climate disclosures in Australia, CA ANZ continues to work with regulators and standard setters to address implementation challenges and support guidance and capacity building. In Australia and New Zealand, CA ANZ continued to support the development of tools to measure on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advocate for the role of accountants in supporting farmers to measure their emissions.

Business reform

CA ANZ consulted with the Attorney-General’s Department on reforms to the anti-money laundering regime in Australia that would extend to include services provided by accountants. Following passage of the legislation, CA ANZ engaged closely with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) on the development of rules, guidance and resources to support implementation. We also responded to the government’s consultation on mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI use and participated in the Australian Government’s roundtable.

FY25 in numbers

CA ANZ advocacy

• Lodged 204 policy submissions (FY24: 214)
• Attended 450 government and ministerial meetings, and roundtables (FY24: 400)
• Appeared before six parliamentary committees (FY24: 11), including two inquiries in Australia.

CA ANZ member survey results

• Increased member rating of CA ANZ advocacy influence to 76% (FY24: 70%, +6%)
• Increased member rating of CA ANZ advocacy representing the professional interests of chartered accountants to 79% (FY24: 73%, +6%). 

See our policy submissions advocating for public interest, or the profession and the wider community at: CA ANZ’s advocacy page and our annual report can be found here.