Executive Summary

Proxy voting in Australia has undergone one of the most significant transformations of any global market in recent years. Once known for its short deadlines, heavy manual processes and a crowded AGM season where operational constraints shaped investment governance, the market has now moved decisively toward real time transparency and automation.

This fact sheet draws on our previous Australia and New Zealand proxy voting study, updated industry data, and a series of interviews with custodians, global intermediaries and issuer representatives across the market. Collectively, they tell a consistent story: that digital connectivity has reshaped the Australian proxy chain for both issuers and investors, reducing risk and giving back valuable time.

From an issuer perspective, the shift to direct, digital disclosure has eliminated guesswork and significantly improved visibility of who is voting and when. For investors, the gains are equally clear: complete meeting information 100% of the time, earlier access to materials, and confidence that votes will be counted accurately and on time.

Market participants repeatedly highlighted how proximity to issuers, real time data flows and the removal of manual handoffs have changed expectations. As one senior custodian observed, “We are on a level playing field now, clients see the information instantly, and we no longer spend time re keying or interpreting announcements.”

Australia’s experience demonstrates what is possible when proxy voting is treated as critical market infrastructure rather than a back-office obligation. It offers a clear reference point for other markets seeking to modernise governance processes, improve stewardship outcomes, and align proxy voting with the realities of modern capital markets.