Consultations & Projects

This project aims to develop a professional and ethical standard to address a Member’s professional obligations associated with reporting sustainability information under the new suite of Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) in September 2024.

The ASRS comprise AASB S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (voluntary) and AASB S2 Climate-related Disclosures (mandatory), both effective from 1 January 2025.

This project aims to review APES 300 and APES GN 30 series to ensure alignment with APES 110 and the new Amending Standards, and to consider the impact of Sustainability and Technology, including AI.

This project aims to review APES 300 and APES GN 30 series to ensure alignment with APES 110 and the new Amending Standards, and to consider the impact of Sustainability and Technology, including AI.

This project aims to review APES GN 40 Ethical Conflicts in the Workplace - Considerations for Members in Business and to develop amendments to address recent revisions to APES 110. The project also provides an opportunity to determine whether there are further ethical challenges that need to be specifically addressed in APES GN 40.

This project aims to review APESB's guidance documents on APES 110 Prohibitions applicable to Auditors for all Audit, Review and Sustainability Assurance Engagements, Audit Partner Rotation, Whistleblowing and Confidentiality, to ensure continued relevance and consistency with APES 110, incorporating the new Amending Standards.

This project aims to create a Compiled APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (Compiled Code) to enhance accessibility and usability of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code).

A compiled Code of Ethics was issued in June 2025, which incorporates the restructured Code and the ten amending standards issued up to January 2025 including the Part 4B, Role and Mindset, Engagement Quality Reviewer, Fees, QM Conforming Amendments, Non-Assurance Services, the Definition of Engagement Team and Group Audits, the Definitions of Listed Entity and Public Interest Entity, Technology-related Revisions, and Tax Planning and Related Services amending standards.

This project aims to build an understanding of the rapidly progressing developments regarding sustainability reporting and assurance, and to provide timely responses to ethics and independence-related concerns.

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 8 July 2025. The amending standard is effective from 1 January 2026, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to review APES 230 Financial Planning Services to ensure that it remains appropriate in the midst of the significant developments, including legislative and regulatory changes, that have occurred and are ongoing in the financial services industry.

This project aims to strengthen the Code in guiding professional accountants in both business and public practice when providing tax planning services to clients or performing tax planning services for employing organisations. The enhanced guidance also assists professional accountants in exercising judgment in navigating the complexities and uncertainties of tax planning and determining the appropriate course of action in the circumstances.

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 31 January 2025. The amending standard is effective from 1 July 2025, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to review and revise APES 220 Taxation Services to incorporate proposed Tax Planning and Related Services amendments to APES 110, address matters on APESB's Issues Register and quality management-related conforming amendments.

This project is now complete. The revised APES 220 was issued on 31 January 2025 and is effective from 1 July 2025, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to build an understanding of how Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology is being used by professional accountants and to determine whether additional professional and ethical obligations or guidance is required in this area to assist professional accountants.

The Technology-related revisions will impact APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) as well as other APESB pronouncements.

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 20 June 2024. The amending standard is effective from 1 January 2025, with early adoption permitted.