{"id":"F2025L00606","name":"Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements","slug":"standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106408,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2025L00606-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Obtaining a Copy of this Standard","sectionType":"section","heading":"Obtaining a Copy of this Standard","content":"##### Obtaining a Copy of this Standard\n\nThis Australian Standard on Sustainability Assurance is available on the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) website: www.auasb.gov.au","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Contact Details","sectionType":"section","heading":"Contact Details","content":"##### Contact Details\n\n| Auditing and Assurance Standards BoardPhone: (03) 8080 7400E-mail: enquiries@auasb.gov.auPostal Address:PO Box 204, Collins Street WestMelbourne Victoria 8007AUSTRALIA | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- |","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"COPYRIGHT","sectionType":"section","heading":"COPYRIGHT","content":"##### COPYRIGHT\n\n© 2025 Commonwealth of Australia. The text, graphics and layout of this Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source as being the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).\n\nRequests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes should be addressed to the Director-National, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007 or sent to enquiries@auasb.gov.au. Otherwise, no part of this Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.\n\nISSN 1030-603X","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"CONTENTS","sectionType":"part","heading":"CONTENTS","content":"# CONTENTS\n\nPREFACE\n\nAUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nCONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON AUDITING\n\nParagraphs\n\nApplication.................................................................1\n\nOperative dates..............................................................2\n\nIntroduction................................................................3\n\nObjective..................................................................4\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000..................................................5-15","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"preface","sectionType":"part","heading":"preface","content":"##### Obtaining a Copy of this Standard\n\nThis Australian Standard on Sustainability Assurance is available on the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) website: www.auasb.gov.au\n\n##### Contact Details\n\n| Auditing and Assurance Standards BoardPhone: (03) 8080 7400E-mail: enquiries@auasb.gov.auPostal Address:PO Box 204, Collins Street WestMelbourne Victoria 8007AUSTRALIA | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- |\n\n##### COPYRIGHT\n\n© 2025 Commonwealth of Australia. The text, graphics and layout of this Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source as being the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).\n\nRequests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes should be addressed to the Director-National, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007 or sent to enquiries@auasb.gov.au. Otherwise, no part of this Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.\n\nISSN 1030-603X\n\n# CONTENTS\n\nPREFACE\n\nAUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nCONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON AUDITING\n\nParagraphs\n\nApplication.................................................................1\n\nOperative dates..............................................................2\n\nIntroduction................................................................3\n\nObjective..................................................................4\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000..................................................5-15\n\n \n\n# preface\n\n#### Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3\n\nThe AUASB issues standard ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements pursuant to the requirements of the legislative provisions and the Strategic Direction explained below.\n\nThe AUASB is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity of the Australian Government established under section 227A of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, as amended (ASIC Act). Under section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, the AUASB may make Auditing Standards for the purposes of the corporations legislation. These Auditing Standards are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nUnder the Strategic Direction given to the AUASB by the Financial Reporting Council, the AUASB is required, inter alia, to develop auditing standards that have a clear public interest focus and are of the highest quality.\n\n#### Main Features\n\nThis standard amends ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\n \n\n## AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nThe Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) makes this Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements as an assurance standard pursuant to section 227B(1)(a) and (b) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and for the purposes of s336 of the Corporations Act 2001.\n\nDated: 23 May 2025 D Niven \nChair - AUASB\n\n##### Conformity with International Standards\n\nThe amendments made by this ASSA to ASSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (Part 5 of the IESBA Code). ASSA 5000 does not conform with ISSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to the extent of this amendment.\n\nIt is envisaged that ASSA 5000 will be fully consistent with ISSA 5000 after the commencement of ISSA 5000. ISSA 5000 is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported:\n\n1. For periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026; or\n2. As at a specific date on or after 15 December 2026.\n\n## \nAustralian standard on sustainability assurance\n\n## ASSA 2025-3\n\n### Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements\n\n##### Application\n\n1. This ASSA applies as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.2 of ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000) as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Operative dates\n\n1. This standard is operative as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.3 and Aus 0.4 of ASSA 5000 as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Introduction\n\n1. This standard amends ASSA 5000.\n\n##### Objective\n\n1. The objective of this standard is to amend ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000\n\n1. This ASSA uses underlining, striking out and other typographical material to identify the amendments to ASSA 5000, in order to make the amendments more understandable. However, the amendments made by this ASSA do not include that underlining, striking out or other typographical material. Amended paragraphs are shown with deleted text struck through and new text underlined.\n2. The section on ‘Conformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance’ in ASSA 5000 is amended as follows:\n\nConformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance conforms with International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board other than as detailed below.\n\nParagraphs that have been added to this Standard on Sustainability Assurance (and do not appear or appear differently in/from the text of the equivalent ISSA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.\n\nThe following paragraphs and definitions are additional to or have been amended from ISSA 5000:\n\n \n\n| Paragraph | Summary of Change |\n| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Aus 6.1 | Replaces ISSA 5000 introductory paragraph 6 to refer to ‘the provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’ instead of ‘the provisions of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) related to sustainability assurance engagements’. |\n| Aus 18.1 | Introduces the definition of ‘the Code’ being include ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’and Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards). This ensures that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see also Aus 18.3 below). |\n| Aus 18.2 | Replaces the definition of ‘Engagement team’ to prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus 18.3 | Replaces the definition of ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ to refer to ‘the Code’ such that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see Aus 18.1 above). The definition also includes specific reference to the requirements of Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001. |\n| Aus 18.4 | Explains the different terms used in the Corporations Act 2001 and AUASB Standards. |\n| Aus 42.1 and Aus 42.2 | These paragraphs prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus A29.1 | Prohibits on the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Throughout | Replaced ‘the IESBA Code’ with ‘the Code’ (see also Aus 18.1 above). |\n| A61 | Amended to clarify that the provisions referred to in the third sentence may apply in the context of an audit of the financial report rather than assurance over sustainability information given that the current APES 110 applies instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code. |\n| Appendix 3 | Amends illustrative audit reports consistent with the changes to the definition of ‘relevant ethical requirements’.The illustrative assurance reports have been amended consistent with the definition of ‘the Code’ in paragraph Aus 18.1. |\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance incorporates terminology and definitions used in Australia.\n\nExcept for applying the provisions of existing APES 110 instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code (until such time as ASSA 5000 may be further amended to apply the provisions of a revised APES 110 that may include Part 5 of the IESBA Code), cCompliance with this Standard on Sustainability Assurance enables compliance with ISSA 5000.\n\n1. Paragraphs Aus 0.1 to Aus 0.3 of ASSA 5000 are amended as follows:\n\n##### Application\n\nAus 0.1 This Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ASSA) applies to assurance engagements on:\n\n1. sustainability information in a sustainability report for a financial year in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act);\n2. sustainability information where the engagement is held out to have been conducted in accordance with this ASSA; and\n3. sustainability information for any other purpose, except where National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Audit) Determination 2009ASAE 3410 (the NGER Determination) applies and that determination does not is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nAus 0.2 This ASSA also applies, as appropriate, to assurance on other sustainability information.\n\n##### Operative Date\n\nAus 0.3 Subject to paragraph Aus 0.4, this ASSA is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported as follows:\n\n(a) For information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 \\- For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and as at the end of that period;\n\n(b) For all other engagements - As at a specific date on or after 31 December 2025 and for periods ending on that date, except where the period commenced before 1 January 2025.\n\nEarlier application of this ASSA is permitted, except where the NGER Determination ASAE 3410 applies and that determination does not permit is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nNote: For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph Aus 0.3(b) does not require this standard to apply to any engagements for periods beginning before 1 January 2025.\n\n1. Subparagraph Aus 6.1(a) is amended as follows:\n\nAus 6.1(a) The members of the engagement team and the engagement quality reviewer (for those engagements where one has been appointed) are subject to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) and the provisions in Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and applicable legislative or other requirements, or professional requirements, or requirements in law or regulation, that are at least as demanding; and (Ref: Para. A6–A7)\n\n1. Replace paragraph Aus 18.1 with the following:\n\nAus 18.1 The definition of ‘the Code’ is ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’.\n\n1. Amend the first part of the third sentence of application paragraph A61 as follows:\n\nThe Code may specifically address various matters that may affect or influence the practitioner’s independence where the practitioner also audits or reviews an entity’s financial report, including: …\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), as applicable to sustainability assurance engagements of public interest entities, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to assurance engagements of public interest entities in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.Emphasis of Matter6\n\nwith the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.\n\nEmphasis of Matter6\n\n1. In Illustration 2 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 3 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fourth paragraph under the heading Basis for Reasonable Assurance Opinion and/or Limited Assurance Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagement of the Information RA and Information LA in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\], and we have fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 4 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fifth paragraph under the heading Basis for Qualified Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagements of the Sustainability Information in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3","content":"#### Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3\n\nThe AUASB issues standard ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements pursuant to the requirements of the legislative provisions and the Strategic Direction explained below.\n\nThe AUASB is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity of the Australian Government established under section 227A of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, as amended (ASIC Act). Under section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, the AUASB may make Auditing Standards for the purposes of the corporations legislation. These Auditing Standards are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nUnder the Strategic Direction given to the AUASB by the Financial Reporting Council, the AUASB is required, inter alia, to develop auditing standards that have a clear public interest focus and are of the highest quality.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Main Features","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Main Features","content":"#### Main Features\n\nThis standard amends ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\n \n\n## AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nThe Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) makes this Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements as an assurance standard pursuant to section 227B(1)(a) and (b) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and for the purposes of s336 of the Corporations Act 2001.\n\nDated: 23 May 2025 D Niven \nChair - AUASB\n\n##### Conformity with International Standards\n\nThe amendments made by this ASSA to ASSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (Part 5 of the IESBA Code). ASSA 5000 does not conform with ISSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to the extent of this amendment.\n\nIt is envisaged that ASSA 5000 will be fully consistent with ISSA 5000 after the commencement of ISSA 5000. ISSA 5000 is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported:\n\n1. For periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026; or\n2. As at a specific date on or after 15 December 2026.\n\n## \nAustralian standard on sustainability assurance\n\n## ASSA 2025-3\n\n### Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements\n\n##### Application\n\n1. This ASSA applies as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.2 of ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000) as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Operative dates\n\n1. This standard is operative as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.3 and Aus 0.4 of ASSA 5000 as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Introduction\n\n1. This standard amends ASSA 5000.\n\n##### Objective\n\n1. The objective of this standard is to amend ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000\n\n1. This ASSA uses underlining, striking out and other typographical material to identify the amendments to ASSA 5000, in order to make the amendments more understandable. However, the amendments made by this ASSA do not include that underlining, striking out or other typographical material. Amended paragraphs are shown with deleted text struck through and new text underlined.\n2. The section on ‘Conformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance’ in ASSA 5000 is amended as follows:\n\nConformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance conforms with International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board other than as detailed below.\n\nParagraphs that have been added to this Standard on Sustainability Assurance (and do not appear or appear differently in/from the text of the equivalent ISSA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.\n\nThe following paragraphs and definitions are additional to or have been amended from ISSA 5000:\n\n \n\n| Paragraph | Summary of Change |\n| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Aus 6.1 | Replaces ISSA 5000 introductory paragraph 6 to refer to ‘the provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’ instead of ‘the provisions of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) related to sustainability assurance engagements’. |\n| Aus 18.1 | Introduces the definition of ‘the Code’ being include ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’and Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards). This ensures that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see also Aus 18.3 below). |\n| Aus 18.2 | Replaces the definition of ‘Engagement team’ to prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus 18.3 | Replaces the definition of ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ to refer to ‘the Code’ such that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see Aus 18.1 above). The definition also includes specific reference to the requirements of Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001. |\n| Aus 18.4 | Explains the different terms used in the Corporations Act 2001 and AUASB Standards. |\n| Aus 42.1 and Aus 42.2 | These paragraphs prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus A29.1 | Prohibits on the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Throughout | Replaced ‘the IESBA Code’ with ‘the Code’ (see also Aus 18.1 above). |\n| A61 | Amended to clarify that the provisions referred to in the third sentence may apply in the context of an audit of the financial report rather than assurance over sustainability information given that the current APES 110 applies instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code. |\n| Appendix 3 | Amends illustrative audit reports consistent with the changes to the definition of ‘relevant ethical requirements’.The illustrative assurance reports have been amended consistent with the definition of ‘the Code’ in paragraph Aus 18.1. |\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance incorporates terminology and definitions used in Australia.\n\nExcept for applying the provisions of existing APES 110 instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code (until such time as ASSA 5000 may be further amended to apply the provisions of a revised APES 110 that may include Part 5 of the IESBA Code), cCompliance with this Standard on Sustainability Assurance enables compliance with ISSA 5000.\n\n1. Paragraphs Aus 0.1 to Aus 0.3 of ASSA 5000 are amended as follows:\n\n##### Application\n\nAus 0.1 This Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ASSA) applies to assurance engagements on:\n\n1. sustainability information in a sustainability report for a financial year in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act);\n2. sustainability information where the engagement is held out to have been conducted in accordance with this ASSA; and\n3. sustainability information for any other purpose, except where National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Audit) Determination 2009ASAE 3410 (the NGER Determination) applies and that determination does not is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nAus 0.2 This ASSA also applies, as appropriate, to assurance on other sustainability information.\n\n##### Operative Date\n\nAus 0.3 Subject to paragraph Aus 0.4, this ASSA is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported as follows:\n\n(a) For information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 \\- For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and as at the end of that period;\n\n(b) For all other engagements - As at a specific date on or after 31 December 2025 and for periods ending on that date, except where the period commenced before 1 January 2025.\n\nEarlier application of this ASSA is permitted, except where the NGER Determination ASAE 3410 applies and that determination does not permit is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nNote: For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph Aus 0.3(b) does not require this standard to apply to any engagements for periods beginning before 1 January 2025.\n\n1. Subparagraph Aus 6.1(a) is amended as follows:\n\nAus 6.1(a) The members of the engagement team and the engagement quality reviewer (for those engagements where one has been appointed) are subject to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) and the provisions in Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and applicable legislative or other requirements, or professional requirements, or requirements in law or regulation, that are at least as demanding; and (Ref: Para. A6–A7)\n\n1. Replace paragraph Aus 18.1 with the following:\n\nAus 18.1 The definition of ‘the Code’ is ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’.\n\n1. Amend the first part of the third sentence of application paragraph A61 as follows:\n\nThe Code may specifically address various matters that may affect or influence the practitioner’s independence where the practitioner also audits or reviews an entity’s financial report, including: …\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), as applicable to sustainability assurance engagements of public interest entities, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to assurance engagements of public interest entities in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.Emphasis of Matter6\n\nwith the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.\n\nEmphasis of Matter6\n\n1. In Illustration 2 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 3 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fourth paragraph under the heading Basis for Reasonable Assurance Opinion and/or Limited Assurance Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagement of the Information RA and Information LA in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\], and we have fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 4 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fifth paragraph under the heading Basis for Qualified Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagements of the Sustainability Information in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"AUTHORITY STATEMENT","sectionType":"part","heading":"AUTHORITY STATEMENT","content":"## AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nThe Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) makes this Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements as an assurance standard pursuant to section 227B(1)(a) and (b) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and for the purposes of s336 of the Corporations Act 2001.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Conformity with International Standards","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conformity with International Standards","content":"##### Conformity with International Standards\n\nThe amendments made by this ASSA to ASSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (Part 5 of the IESBA Code). ASSA 5000 does not conform with ISSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to the extent of this amendment.\n\nIt is envisaged that ASSA 5000 will be fully consistent with ISSA 5000 after the commencement of ISSA 5000. ISSA 5000 is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported:\n\n1. For periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026; or\n2. As at a specific date on or after 15 December 2026.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Australian standard on sustainability as","sectionType":"part","heading":"Australian standard on sustainability assurance","content":"##### Obtaining a Copy of this Standard\n\nThis Australian Standard on Sustainability Assurance is available on the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) website: www.auasb.gov.au\n\n##### Contact Details\n\n| Auditing and Assurance Standards BoardPhone: (03) 8080 7400E-mail: enquiries@auasb.gov.auPostal Address:PO Box 204, Collins Street WestMelbourne Victoria 8007AUSTRALIA | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- |\n\n##### COPYRIGHT\n\n© 2025 Commonwealth of Australia. The text, graphics and layout of this Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source as being the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).\n\nRequests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes should be addressed to the Director-National, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007 or sent to enquiries@auasb.gov.au. Otherwise, no part of this Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.\n\nISSN 1030-603X\n\n# CONTENTS\n\nPREFACE\n\nAUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nCONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON AUDITING\n\nParagraphs\n\nApplication.................................................................1\n\nOperative dates..............................................................2\n\nIntroduction................................................................3\n\nObjective..................................................................4\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000..................................................5-15\n\n \n\n# preface\n\n#### Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3\n\nThe AUASB issues standard ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements pursuant to the requirements of the legislative provisions and the Strategic Direction explained below.\n\nThe AUASB is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity of the Australian Government established under section 227A of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, as amended (ASIC Act). Under section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, the AUASB may make Auditing Standards for the purposes of the corporations legislation. These Auditing Standards are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nUnder the Strategic Direction given to the AUASB by the Financial Reporting Council, the AUASB is required, inter alia, to develop auditing standards that have a clear public interest focus and are of the highest quality.\n\n#### Main Features\n\nThis standard amends ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\n \n\n## AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nThe Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) makes this Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements as an assurance standard pursuant to section 227B(1)(a) and (b) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and for the purposes of s336 of the Corporations Act 2001.\n\nDated: 23 May 2025 D Niven \nChair - AUASB\n\n##### Conformity with International Standards\n\nThe amendments made by this ASSA to ASSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (Part 5 of the IESBA Code). ASSA 5000 does not conform with ISSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to the extent of this amendment.\n\nIt is envisaged that ASSA 5000 will be fully consistent with ISSA 5000 after the commencement of ISSA 5000. ISSA 5000 is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported:\n\n1. For periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026; or\n2. As at a specific date on or after 15 December 2026.\n\n## \nAustralian standard on sustainability assurance\n\n## ASSA 2025-3\n\n### Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements\n\n##### Application\n\n1. This ASSA applies as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.2 of ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000) as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Operative dates\n\n1. This standard is operative as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.3 and Aus 0.4 of ASSA 5000 as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Introduction\n\n1. This standard amends ASSA 5000.\n\n##### Objective\n\n1. The objective of this standard is to amend ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000\n\n1. This ASSA uses underlining, striking out and other typographical material to identify the amendments to ASSA 5000, in order to make the amendments more understandable. However, the amendments made by this ASSA do not include that underlining, striking out or other typographical material. Amended paragraphs are shown with deleted text struck through and new text underlined.\n2. The section on ‘Conformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance’ in ASSA 5000 is amended as follows:\n\nConformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance conforms with International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board other than as detailed below.\n\nParagraphs that have been added to this Standard on Sustainability Assurance (and do not appear or appear differently in/from the text of the equivalent ISSA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.\n\nThe following paragraphs and definitions are additional to or have been amended from ISSA 5000:\n\n \n\n| Paragraph | Summary of Change |\n| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Aus 6.1 | Replaces ISSA 5000 introductory paragraph 6 to refer to ‘the provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’ instead of ‘the provisions of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) related to sustainability assurance engagements’. |\n| Aus 18.1 | Introduces the definition of ‘the Code’ being include ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’and Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards). This ensures that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see also Aus 18.3 below). |\n| Aus 18.2 | Replaces the definition of ‘Engagement team’ to prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus 18.3 | Replaces the definition of ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ to refer to ‘the Code’ such that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see Aus 18.1 above). The definition also includes specific reference to the requirements of Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001. |\n| Aus 18.4 | Explains the different terms used in the Corporations Act 2001 and AUASB Standards. |\n| Aus 42.1 and Aus 42.2 | These paragraphs prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus A29.1 | Prohibits on the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Throughout | Replaced ‘the IESBA Code’ with ‘the Code’ (see also Aus 18.1 above). |\n| A61 | Amended to clarify that the provisions referred to in the third sentence may apply in the context of an audit of the financial report rather than assurance over sustainability information given that the current APES 110 applies instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code. |\n| Appendix 3 | Amends illustrative audit reports consistent with the changes to the definition of ‘relevant ethical requirements’.The illustrative assurance reports have been amended consistent with the definition of ‘the Code’ in paragraph Aus 18.1. |\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance incorporates terminology and definitions used in Australia.\n\nExcept for applying the provisions of existing APES 110 instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code (until such time as ASSA 5000 may be further amended to apply the provisions of a revised APES 110 that may include Part 5 of the IESBA Code), cCompliance with this Standard on Sustainability Assurance enables compliance with ISSA 5000.\n\n1. Paragraphs Aus 0.1 to Aus 0.3 of ASSA 5000 are amended as follows:\n\n##### Application\n\nAus 0.1 This Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ASSA) applies to assurance engagements on:\n\n1. sustainability information in a sustainability report for a financial year in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act);\n2. sustainability information where the engagement is held out to have been conducted in accordance with this ASSA; and\n3. sustainability information for any other purpose, except where National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Audit) Determination 2009ASAE 3410 (the NGER Determination) applies and that determination does not is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nAus 0.2 This ASSA also applies, as appropriate, to assurance on other sustainability information.\n\n##### Operative Date\n\nAus 0.3 Subject to paragraph Aus 0.4, this ASSA is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported as follows:\n\n(a) For information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 \\- For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and as at the end of that period;\n\n(b) For all other engagements - As at a specific date on or after 31 December 2025 and for periods ending on that date, except where the period commenced before 1 January 2025.\n\nEarlier application of this ASSA is permitted, except where the NGER Determination ASAE 3410 applies and that determination does not permit is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nNote: For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph Aus 0.3(b) does not require this standard to apply to any engagements for periods beginning before 1 January 2025.\n\n1. Subparagraph Aus 6.1(a) is amended as follows:\n\nAus 6.1(a) The members of the engagement team and the engagement quality reviewer (for those engagements where one has been appointed) are subject to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) and the provisions in Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and applicable legislative or other requirements, or professional requirements, or requirements in law or regulation, that are at least as demanding; and (Ref: Para. A6–A7)\n\n1. Replace paragraph Aus 18.1 with the following:\n\nAus 18.1 The definition of ‘the Code’ is ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’.\n\n1. Amend the first part of the third sentence of application paragraph A61 as follows:\n\nThe Code may specifically address various matters that may affect or influence the practitioner’s independence where the practitioner also audits or reviews an entity’s financial report, including: …\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), as applicable to sustainability assurance engagements of public interest entities, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to assurance engagements of public interest entities in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.Emphasis of Matter6\n\nwith the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.\n\nEmphasis of Matter6\n\n1. In Illustration 2 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 3 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fourth paragraph under the heading Basis for Reasonable Assurance Opinion and/or Limited Assurance Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagement of the Information RA and Information LA in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\], and we have fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 4 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fifth paragraph under the heading Basis for Qualified Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagements of the Sustainability Information in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"ASSA 2025-3","sectionType":"part","heading":"ASSA 2025-3","content":"##### Obtaining a Copy of this Standard\n\nThis Australian Standard on Sustainability Assurance is available on the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) website: www.auasb.gov.au\n\n##### Contact Details\n\n| Auditing and Assurance Standards BoardPhone: (03) 8080 7400E-mail: enquiries@auasb.gov.auPostal Address:PO Box 204, Collins Street WestMelbourne Victoria 8007AUSTRALIA | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- |\n\n##### COPYRIGHT\n\n© 2025 Commonwealth of Australia. The text, graphics and layout of this Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source as being the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).\n\nRequests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes should be addressed to the Director-National, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007 or sent to enquiries@auasb.gov.au. Otherwise, no part of this Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.\n\nISSN 1030-603X\n\n# CONTENTS\n\nPREFACE\n\nAUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nCONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON AUDITING\n\nParagraphs\n\nApplication.................................................................1\n\nOperative dates..............................................................2\n\nIntroduction................................................................3\n\nObjective..................................................................4\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000..................................................5-15\n\n \n\n# preface\n\n#### Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3\n\nThe AUASB issues standard ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements pursuant to the requirements of the legislative provisions and the Strategic Direction explained below.\n\nThe AUASB is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity of the Australian Government established under section 227A of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, as amended (ASIC Act). Under section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, the AUASB may make Auditing Standards for the purposes of the corporations legislation. These Auditing Standards are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nUnder the Strategic Direction given to the AUASB by the Financial Reporting Council, the AUASB is required, inter alia, to develop auditing standards that have a clear public interest focus and are of the highest quality.\n\n#### Main Features\n\nThis standard amends ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\n \n\n## AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nThe Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) makes this Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements as an assurance standard pursuant to section 227B(1)(a) and (b) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and for the purposes of s336 of the Corporations Act 2001.\n\nDated: 23 May 2025 D Niven \nChair - AUASB\n\n##### Conformity with International Standards\n\nThe amendments made by this ASSA to ASSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (Part 5 of the IESBA Code). ASSA 5000 does not conform with ISSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to the extent of this amendment.\n\nIt is envisaged that ASSA 5000 will be fully consistent with ISSA 5000 after the commencement of ISSA 5000. ISSA 5000 is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported:\n\n1. For periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026; or\n2. As at a specific date on or after 15 December 2026.\n\n## \nAustralian standard on sustainability assurance\n\n## ASSA 2025-3\n\n### Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements\n\n##### Application\n\n1. This ASSA applies as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.2 of ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000) as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Operative dates\n\n1. This standard is operative as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.3 and Aus 0.4 of ASSA 5000 as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Introduction\n\n1. This standard amends ASSA 5000.\n\n##### Objective\n\n1. The objective of this standard is to amend ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000\n\n1. This ASSA uses underlining, striking out and other typographical material to identify the amendments to ASSA 5000, in order to make the amendments more understandable. However, the amendments made by this ASSA do not include that underlining, striking out or other typographical material. Amended paragraphs are shown with deleted text struck through and new text underlined.\n2. The section on ‘Conformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance’ in ASSA 5000 is amended as follows:\n\nConformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance conforms with International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board other than as detailed below.\n\nParagraphs that have been added to this Standard on Sustainability Assurance (and do not appear or appear differently in/from the text of the equivalent ISSA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.\n\nThe following paragraphs and definitions are additional to or have been amended from ISSA 5000:\n\n \n\n| Paragraph | Summary of Change |\n| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Aus 6.1 | Replaces ISSA 5000 introductory paragraph 6 to refer to ‘the provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’ instead of ‘the provisions of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) related to sustainability assurance engagements’. |\n| Aus 18.1 | Introduces the definition of ‘the Code’ being include ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’and Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards). This ensures that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see also Aus 18.3 below). |\n| Aus 18.2 | Replaces the definition of ‘Engagement team’ to prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus 18.3 | Replaces the definition of ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ to refer to ‘the Code’ such that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see Aus 18.1 above). The definition also includes specific reference to the requirements of Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001. |\n| Aus 18.4 | Explains the different terms used in the Corporations Act 2001 and AUASB Standards. |\n| Aus 42.1 and Aus 42.2 | These paragraphs prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus A29.1 | Prohibits on the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Throughout | Replaced ‘the IESBA Code’ with ‘the Code’ (see also Aus 18.1 above). |\n| A61 | Amended to clarify that the provisions referred to in the third sentence may apply in the context of an audit of the financial report rather than assurance over sustainability information given that the current APES 110 applies instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code. |\n| Appendix 3 | Amends illustrative audit reports consistent with the changes to the definition of ‘relevant ethical requirements’.The illustrative assurance reports have been amended consistent with the definition of ‘the Code’ in paragraph Aus 18.1. |\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance incorporates terminology and definitions used in Australia.\n\nExcept for applying the provisions of existing APES 110 instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code (until such time as ASSA 5000 may be further amended to apply the provisions of a revised APES 110 that may include Part 5 of the IESBA Code), cCompliance with this Standard on Sustainability Assurance enables compliance with ISSA 5000.\n\n1. Paragraphs Aus 0.1 to Aus 0.3 of ASSA 5000 are amended as follows:\n\n##### Application\n\nAus 0.1 This Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ASSA) applies to assurance engagements on:\n\n1. sustainability information in a sustainability report for a financial year in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act);\n2. sustainability information where the engagement is held out to have been conducted in accordance with this ASSA; and\n3. sustainability information for any other purpose, except where National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Audit) Determination 2009ASAE 3410 (the NGER Determination) applies and that determination does not is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nAus 0.2 This ASSA also applies, as appropriate, to assurance on other sustainability information.\n\n##### Operative Date\n\nAus 0.3 Subject to paragraph Aus 0.4, this ASSA is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported as follows:\n\n(a) For information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 \\- For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and as at the end of that period;\n\n(b) For all other engagements - As at a specific date on or after 31 December 2025 and for periods ending on that date, except where the period commenced before 1 January 2025.\n\nEarlier application of this ASSA is permitted, except where the NGER Determination ASAE 3410 applies and that determination does not permit is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nNote: For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph Aus 0.3(b) does not require this standard to apply to any engagements for periods beginning before 1 January 2025.\n\n1. Subparagraph Aus 6.1(a) is amended as follows:\n\nAus 6.1(a) The members of the engagement team and the engagement quality reviewer (for those engagements where one has been appointed) are subject to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) and the provisions in Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and applicable legislative or other requirements, or professional requirements, or requirements in law or regulation, that are at least as demanding; and (Ref: Para. A6–A7)\n\n1. Replace paragraph Aus 18.1 with the following:\n\nAus 18.1 The definition of ‘the Code’ is ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’.\n\n1. Amend the first part of the third sentence of application paragraph A61 as follows:\n\nThe Code may specifically address various matters that may affect or influence the practitioner’s independence where the practitioner also audits or reviews an entity’s financial report, including: …\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), as applicable to sustainability assurance engagements of public interest entities, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to assurance engagements of public interest entities in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.Emphasis of Matter6\n\nwith the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.\n\nEmphasis of Matter6\n\n1. In Illustration 2 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 3 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fourth paragraph under the heading Basis for Reasonable Assurance Opinion and/or Limited Assurance Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagement of the Information RA and Information LA in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\], and we have fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 4 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fifth paragraph under the heading Basis for Qualified Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagements of the Sustainability Information in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirem","sectionType":"division","heading":"Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements","content":"##### Obtaining a Copy of this Standard\n\nThis Australian Standard on Sustainability Assurance is available on the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) website: www.auasb.gov.au\n\n##### Contact Details\n\n| Auditing and Assurance Standards BoardPhone: (03) 8080 7400E-mail: enquiries@auasb.gov.auPostal Address:PO Box 204, Collins Street WestMelbourne Victoria 8007AUSTRALIA | |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- |\n\n##### COPYRIGHT\n\n© 2025 Commonwealth of Australia. The text, graphics and layout of this Auditing Standard are protected by Australian copyright law and the comparable law of other countries. Reproduction within Australia in unaltered form (retaining this notice) is permitted for personal and non‑commercial use subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source as being the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB).\n\nRequests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights for commercial purposes should be addressed to the Director-National, Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, PO Box 204, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007 or sent to enquiries@auasb.gov.au. Otherwise, no part of this Auditing Standard may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the AUASB except as permitted by law.\n\nISSN 1030-603X\n\n# CONTENTS\n\nPREFACE\n\nAUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nCONFORMITY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON AUDITING\n\nParagraphs\n\nApplication.................................................................1\n\nOperative dates..............................................................2\n\nIntroduction................................................................3\n\nObjective..................................................................4\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000..................................................5-15\n\n \n\n# preface\n\n#### Reasons for Issuing ASSA 2025-3\n\nThe AUASB issues standard ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements pursuant to the requirements of the legislative provisions and the Strategic Direction explained below.\n\nThe AUASB is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity of the Australian Government established under section 227A of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, as amended (ASIC Act). Under section 336 of the Corporations Act 2001, the AUASB may make Auditing Standards for the purposes of the corporations legislation. These Auditing Standards are legislative instruments under the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nUnder the Strategic Direction given to the AUASB by the Financial Reporting Council, the AUASB is required, inter alia, to develop auditing standards that have a clear public interest focus and are of the highest quality.\n\n#### Main Features\n\nThis standard amends ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\n \n\n## AUTHORITY STATEMENT\n\nThe Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) makes this Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 2025-3 Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements as an assurance standard pursuant to section 227B(1)(a) and (b) of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and for the purposes of s336 of the Corporations Act 2001.\n\nDated: 23 May 2025 D Niven \nChair - AUASB\n\n##### Conformity with International Standards\n\nThe amendments made by this ASSA to ASSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (Part 5 of the IESBA Code). ASSA 5000 does not conform with ISSA 5000 General Requirements on Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board to the extent of this amendment.\n\nIt is envisaged that ASSA 5000 will be fully consistent with ISSA 5000 after the commencement of ISSA 5000. ISSA 5000 is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported:\n\n1. For periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026; or\n2. As at a specific date on or after 15 December 2026.\n\n## \nAustralian standard on sustainability assurance\n\n## ASSA 2025-3\n\n### Amendments to ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements\n\n##### Application\n\n1. This ASSA applies as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.2 of ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000) as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Operative dates\n\n1. This standard is operative as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.3 and Aus 0.4 of ASSA 5000 as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.\n\n##### Introduction\n\n1. This standard amends ASSA 5000.\n\n##### Objective\n\n1. The objective of this standard is to amend ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000\n\n1. This ASSA uses underlining, striking out and other typographical material to identify the amendments to ASSA 5000, in order to make the amendments more understandable. However, the amendments made by this ASSA do not include that underlining, striking out or other typographical material. Amended paragraphs are shown with deleted text struck through and new text underlined.\n2. The section on ‘Conformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance’ in ASSA 5000 is amended as follows:\n\nConformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance conforms with International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board other than as detailed below.\n\nParagraphs that have been added to this Standard on Sustainability Assurance (and do not appear or appear differently in/from the text of the equivalent ISSA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.\n\nThe following paragraphs and definitions are additional to or have been amended from ISSA 5000:\n\n \n\n| Paragraph | Summary of Change |\n| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Aus 6.1 | Replaces ISSA 5000 introductory paragraph 6 to refer to ‘the provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’ instead of ‘the provisions of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) related to sustainability assurance engagements’. |\n| Aus 18.1 | Introduces the definition of ‘the Code’ being include ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’and Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards). This ensures that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see also Aus 18.3 below). |\n| Aus 18.2 | Replaces the definition of ‘Engagement team’ to prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus 18.3 | Replaces the definition of ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ to refer to ‘the Code’ such that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see Aus 18.1 above). The definition also includes specific reference to the requirements of Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001. |\n| Aus 18.4 | Explains the different terms used in the Corporations Act 2001 and AUASB Standards. |\n| Aus 42.1 and Aus 42.2 | These paragraphs prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus A29.1 | Prohibits on the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Throughout | Replaced ‘the IESBA Code’ with ‘the Code’ (see also Aus 18.1 above). |\n| A61 | Amended to clarify that the provisions referred to in the third sentence may apply in the context of an audit of the financial report rather than assurance over sustainability information given that the current APES 110 applies instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code. |\n| Appendix 3 | Amends illustrative audit reports consistent with the changes to the definition of ‘relevant ethical requirements’.The illustrative assurance reports have been amended consistent with the definition of ‘the Code’ in paragraph Aus 18.1. |\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance incorporates terminology and definitions used in Australia.\n\nExcept for applying the provisions of existing APES 110 instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code (until such time as ASSA 5000 may be further amended to apply the provisions of a revised APES 110 that may include Part 5 of the IESBA Code), cCompliance with this Standard on Sustainability Assurance enables compliance with ISSA 5000.\n\n1. Paragraphs Aus 0.1 to Aus 0.3 of ASSA 5000 are amended as follows:\n\n##### Application\n\nAus 0.1 This Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ASSA) applies to assurance engagements on:\n\n1. sustainability information in a sustainability report for a financial year in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act);\n2. sustainability information where the engagement is held out to have been conducted in accordance with this ASSA; and\n3. sustainability information for any other purpose, except where National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Audit) Determination 2009ASAE 3410 (the NGER Determination) applies and that determination does not is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nAus 0.2 This ASSA also applies, as appropriate, to assurance on other sustainability information.\n\n##### Operative Date\n\nAus 0.3 Subject to paragraph Aus 0.4, this ASSA is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported as follows:\n\n(a) For information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 \\- For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and as at the end of that period;\n\n(b) For all other engagements - As at a specific date on or after 31 December 2025 and for periods ending on that date, except where the period commenced before 1 January 2025.\n\nEarlier application of this ASSA is permitted, except where the NGER Determination ASAE 3410 applies and that determination does not permit is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nNote: For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph Aus 0.3(b) does not require this standard to apply to any engagements for periods beginning before 1 January 2025.\n\n1. Subparagraph Aus 6.1(a) is amended as follows:\n\nAus 6.1(a) The members of the engagement team and the engagement quality reviewer (for those engagements where one has been appointed) are subject to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) and the provisions in Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and applicable legislative or other requirements, or professional requirements, or requirements in law or regulation, that are at least as demanding; and (Ref: Para. A6–A7)\n\n1. Replace paragraph Aus 18.1 with the following:\n\nAus 18.1 The definition of ‘the Code’ is ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’.\n\n1. Amend the first part of the third sentence of application paragraph A61 as follows:\n\nThe Code may specifically address various matters that may affect or influence the practitioner’s independence where the practitioner also audits or reviews an entity’s financial report, including: …\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), as applicable to sustainability assurance engagements of public interest entities, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to assurance engagements of public interest entities in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.Emphasis of Matter6\n\nwith the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.\n\nEmphasis of Matter6\n\n1. In Illustration 2 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 3 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fourth paragraph under the heading Basis for Reasonable Assurance Opinion and/or Limited Assurance Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagement of the Information RA and Information LA in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\], and we have fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 4 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fifth paragraph under the heading Basis for Qualified Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagements of the Sustainability Information in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"Application","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application","content":"##### Application\n\n1. This ASSA applies as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.2 of ASSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ASSA 5000) as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Operative dates","sectionType":"section","heading":"Operative dates","content":"##### Operative dates\n\n1. This standard is operative as outlined in paragraphs Aus 0.3 and Aus 0.4 of ASSA 5000 as amended by paragraph 7 of this ASSA.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Introduction","sectionType":"section","heading":"Introduction","content":"##### Introduction\n\n1. This standard amends ASSA 5000.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"Objective","sectionType":"section","heading":"Objective","content":"##### Objective\n\n1. The objective of this standard is to amend ASSA 5000 in connection with the application of Part 5 of the IESBA International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) and the effective dates for non-Corporations Act 2001 assurance engagements. Minor amendments are also made to ASSA 5000 for clarity.\n\nAmendments to ASSA 5000\n\n1. This ASSA uses underlining, striking out and other typographical material to identify the amendments to ASSA 5000, in order to make the amendments more understandable. However, the amendments made by this ASSA do not include that underlining, striking out or other typographical material. Amended paragraphs are shown with deleted text struck through and new text underlined.\n2. The section on ‘Conformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance’ in ASSA 5000 is amended as follows:\n\nConformity with International Standards on Sustainability Assurance\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance conforms with International Standard on Sustainability Assurance ISSA 5000 General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board other than as detailed below.\n\nParagraphs that have been added to this Standard on Sustainability Assurance (and do not appear or appear differently in/from the text of the equivalent ISSA) are identified with the prefix “Aus”.\n\nThe following paragraphs and definitions are additional to or have been amended from ISSA 5000:\n\n \n\n| Paragraph | Summary of Change |\n| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Aus 6.1 | Replaces ISSA 5000 introductory paragraph 6 to refer to ‘the provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’ instead of ‘the provisions of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code) related to sustainability assurance engagements’. |\n| Aus 18.1 | Introduces the definition of ‘the Code’ being include ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’and Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards). This ensures that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see also Aus 18.3 below). |\n| Aus 18.2 | Replaces the definition of ‘Engagement team’ to prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus 18.3 | Replaces the definition of ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ to refer to ‘the Code’ such that ‘Relevant ethical requirements’ are consistent with those in ISSA 5000 (see Aus 18.1 above). The definition also includes specific reference to the requirements of Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001. |\n| Aus 18.4 | Explains the different terms used in the Corporations Act 2001 and AUASB Standards. |\n| Aus 42.1 and Aus 42.2 | These paragraphs prohibit the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Aus A29.1 | Prohibits on the use of internal auditors to provide direct assistance in a sustainability assurance engagement. |\n| Throughout | Replaced ‘the IESBA Code’ with ‘the Code’ (see also Aus 18.1 above). |\n| A61 | Amended to clarify that the provisions referred to in the third sentence may apply in the context of an audit of the financial report rather than assurance over sustainability information given that the current APES 110 applies instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code. |\n| Appendix 3 | Amends illustrative audit reports consistent with the changes to the definition of ‘relevant ethical requirements’.The illustrative assurance reports have been amended consistent with the definition of ‘the Code’ in paragraph Aus 18.1. |\n\nThis Standard on Sustainability Assurance incorporates terminology and definitions used in Australia.\n\nExcept for applying the provisions of existing APES 110 instead of Part 5 of the IESBA Code (until such time as ASSA 5000 may be further amended to apply the provisions of a revised APES 110 that may include Part 5 of the IESBA Code), cCompliance with this Standard on Sustainability Assurance enables compliance with ISSA 5000.\n\n1. Paragraphs Aus 0.1 to Aus 0.3 of ASSA 5000 are amended as follows:","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"Operative Date","sectionType":"section","heading":"Operative Date","content":"##### Operative Date\n\nAus 0.3 Subject to paragraph Aus 0.4, this ASSA is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported as follows:\n\n(a) For information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act 2001 \\- For periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and as at the end of that period;\n\n(b) For all other engagements - As at a specific date on or after 31 December 2025 and for periods ending on that date, except where the period commenced before 1 January 2025.\n\nEarlier application of this ASSA is permitted, except where the NGER Determination ASAE 3410 applies and that determination does not permit is required this ASSA to be applied.\n\nNote: For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph Aus 0.3(b) does not require this standard to apply to any engagements for periods beginning before 1 January 2025.\n\n1. Subparagraph Aus 6.1(a) is amended as follows:\n\nAus 6.1(a) The members of the engagement team and the engagement quality reviewer (for those engagements where one has been appointed) are subject to the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) and the provisions in Part 5 of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (Including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and applicable legislative or other requirements, or professional requirements, or requirements in law or regulation, that are at least as demanding; and (Ref: Para. A6–A7)\n\n1. Replace paragraph Aus 18.1 with the following:\n\nAus 18.1 The definition of ‘the Code’ is ‘APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024)’.\n\n1. Amend the first part of the third sentence of application paragraph A61 as follows:\n\nThe Code may specifically address various matters that may affect or influence the practitioner’s independence where the practitioner also audits or reviews an entity’s financial report, including: …\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), as applicable to sustainability assurance engagements of public interest entities, together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to assurance engagements of public interest entities in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 1 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.Emphasis of Matter6\n\nwith the following text:\n\nWe believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.\n\nEmphasis of Matter6\n\n1. In Illustration 2 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the third paragraph under the heading Basis for Opinion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 3 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fourth paragraph under the heading Basis for Reasonable Assurance Opinion and/or Limited Assurance Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagement of the Information RA and Information LA in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\], and we have fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.\n\n1. In Illustration 4 in Appendix 3: Illustrations of Assurance Reports on Sustainability information in Appendix 3 of ASSA 5000 replace the fifth paragraph under the heading Basis for Qualified Conclusion with:\n\nWe are independent of the Company in accordance with the applicable requirements of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) issued by the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024) (the Code), together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our assurance engagements of the Sustainability Information in \\[title/identification of requirements, name of appropriate authority and jurisdiction\\]. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code.","sortOrder":17}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"provider":"moonshot","completionTokens":2579},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"These amendments do not expand the scope of ASSA 5000 beyond its original purpose of establishing general requirements for sustainability assurance engagements. Instead, they refine the operational mechanics—specifically which ethical code applies, who can assist with the audit (prohibiting internal auditors), and when the rules take effect—while maintaining the same categories of covered engagements (Corporations Act reports and voluntary assurance)."},"complexity_factors":["Dense cross-referencing to four separate regulatory frameworks: ASSA 5000 (the base standard), ISSA 5000 (international standard), APES 110 (Australian ethics code), and Part 5 of the IESBA Code (international ethics).","Dual operative date regime distinguishing between Corporations Act engagements (1 January 2025) and voluntary/non-statutory engagements (31 December 2025).","Amendment-by-substitution structure requiring readers to mentally overlay changes onto the original ASSA 5000 text to understand the final rule.","Precise versioning of referenced documents (e.g., APES 110 'November 2018 incorporating all amendments to June 2024').","Technical defined terms such as 'engagement quality reviewer' and 'relevant ethical requirements' that carry specific professional meanings."],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **amending standard** (called ASSA 2025-3) that updates Australia’s main rulebook for sustainability audits—ASSA 5000. It sets new ethical and procedural requirements for auditors who verify companies’ environmental and social (ESG) reports.\n\n**What it actually changes:**\n\n* **Switches the ethics rulebook (for now):** Instead of immediately using the new international ethics standard (IESBA Part 5), Australian auditors must follow the existing Australian ethical code (**APES 110**) for sustainability engagements. The international standard is referenced as a backup for demanding requirements, but APES 110 is the primary guide.\n* **Bans internal auditors from helping:** Companies can no longer use their own **internal auditors** (staff who work for the company) to provide direct assistance on sustainability assurance jobs. This is to prevent conflicts of interest and protect the auditor’s independence.\n* **Clarifies start dates:** The rules apply to different reports at different times:\n * **Corporations Act reports:** For financial years starting on or after **1 January 2025**.\n * **All other engagements:** For periods ending on or after **31 December 2025** (unless the period started before 1 January 2025).\n* **Updates report templates:** Standard wording in audit reports is changed to reference APES 110 instead of the international IESBA Code.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* External auditors and assurance firms checking sustainability reports for ASX-listed companies and others covered by the *Corporations Act 2001*.\n* Companies preparing sustainability reports who rely on internal audit teams (they will now need to use external resources).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nIt ensures Australia’s sustainability audit rules align with local professional ethics while maintaining a pathway to eventually match international standards. The ban on internal auditors strengthens the credibility of sustainability reports by ensuring the people verifying them are truly independent from the company."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The amendments extend the original ASSA 5000 in several substantive ways: (1) they substitute APES 110 as the ethical/independence source in place of IESBA Part 5 for sustainability assurance engagements while ASSA 5000 remains applied — this creates a jurisdictional divergence from ISSA 5000 (Conformity paragraph; Aus 6.1, Aus 18.1); (2) they introduce a clear prohibition on internal auditors providing direct assistance (Aus 18.2; Aus 42.1–42.2; Aus A29.1), which changes who may be part of the engagement team and therefore the practical staffing and cost profile of engagements; and (3) they set earlier and staged operative dates for Corporations Act reports and other engagements (Aus 0.3), effectively expanding the immediate population of entities and engagements that must comply (or plan for compliance) sooner than might otherwise have occurred. Together these raise the standard's operational scope beyond simple editorial or clarification changes by changing the applicable ethical framework, limiting team composition, and adjusting effective dates."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple targeted amendments rather than wholesale rewrite — changes mainly replace one ethics source with another and add a handful of Aus paragraphs (moderate complexity).","Introduces/changes defined term 'the Code' (Aus 18.1) and amends several related definitions (Aus 18.2–18.4).","Prohibition on internal auditors appears in several places (Aus 18.2; Aus 42.1–42.2; Aus A29.1) — repeated rule increases compliance-check points.","Operative-date staging with two different effective-date tracks (Chapter 2M entities from 1 Jan 2025; other engagements from 31 Dec 2025) and an exception for the NGER Determination (Aus 0.3, Aus 0.1).","Cross-reference and conformity interplay between APES 110, Part 5 of IESBA Code, ISSA 5000 and ASSA 5000 (Conformity paragraph) — requires mapping between instruments.","Amendments spread through core text and Appendix 3 illustrative reports (multiple textual locations to update).","Conditional language and transitional arrangements (references to future amendments to APES 110 and commencement of ISSA 5000) adds forward-looking conditionality."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- Replaces the international ethics source otherwise used in ASSA 5000 with the Australian ethics code APES 110 for the purposes of sustainability assurance engagements, and updates wording throughout the standard to reflect that swap (see Aus 6.1, Aus 18.1 and related amendments). \n- Introduces and defines the term \"the Code\" to mean APES 110 (Aus 18.1) and amends various definitions and report templates so that references to the IESBA Code / Part 5 of the IESBA sustainability ethics standards are replaced or supplemented by APES 110. \n- Prohibits internal auditors from providing \"direct assistance\" on sustainability assurance engagements (changes to the definition of \"engagement team\" and new paragraphs Aus 42.1, Aus 42.2 and Aus A29.1). \n- Sets operative dates for when the amended rules apply: for sustainability information presented in a sustainability report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act — periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025; for other engagements — as at dates on or after 31 December 2025 (subject to the NGER Determination exception and transitional notes) (Aus 0.3). \n- Updates the illustrative assurance-report wording in Appendix 3 so the reports state independence in terms of APES 110 and the newly defined \"Code\" (various Illustration amendments).\n\nWhy it matters and who is affected\n\n- Who decides: the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) — this is an AUASB standard amending ASSA 5000 (Authority statement). Practitioners performing sustainability assurance must follow the amended ASSA where applicable. \n- Who is affected: audit and assurance firms, professional accountants who provide sustainability assurance, engagement quality reviewers, entities required to produce sustainability reports under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act (public interest and other Corporations Act entities), and internal audit functions within those entities (see Aus 0.1 and Aus 0.3). \n- What behaviour changes: engagement teams must comply with APES 110 (the Australian code) for ethical and independence matters instead of relying on Part 5 of the IESBA Code while this amendment applies (Aus 6.1, Aus 18.1). Internal auditors are prohibited from acting as direct assistants on sustainability assurance engagements; firms will need to reallocate tasks or use external/independent assurance staff (Aus 18.2; Aus 42.1–42.2; Aus A29.1). Assurance reports will include independence declarations referencing APES 110 (Appendix 3 amendments).\n\nSource’s stated purpose and a practical appraisal\n\n- Source claim: the AUASB says the changes are to apply APES 110 in place of Part 5 of the IESBA sustainability ethics standards (including independence rules) and to set effective dates for non-Corporations Act engagements; minor clarifying edits are also made (Preface; Objective). \n- Practical consequences and trade-offs: \n - Ethics source substitution (APES 110 for IESBA Part 5) centralises reliance on an Australian professional-standards instrument (Aus 6.1, Aus 18.1). Mechanically, that means Australian practitioners apply APES 110 rules for independence and ethics in sustainability assurance engagements until ASSA 5000 is further amended to incorporate any revised APES 110 that may include IESBA Part 5. This reduces immediate cross-border alignment with ISSA 5000 to the extent APES 110 differs (Conformity paragraph). \n - The prohibition on internal auditors providing direct assistance removes a commonly used labour source for engagements; mechanically, firms must ensure that any person performing direct assurance procedures is not an internal auditor (Aus 18.2, Aus 42.1–42.2, Aus A29.1). That creates a substitution effect: work previously done by internal audit teams will need to be done by external engagement staff or by internal staff not holding internal-auditor roles. \n - Operative-date staging differentiates obligations for Corporations Act reporting entities (effective from reporting periods beginning 1 Jan 2025) and other engagements (as at dates on/after 31 Dec 2025) (Aus 0.3). Practically, some entities must comply earlier; others have a later effective date or may opt in to earlier application. \n- Costs and incentives: \n - Who pays: entities commissioning assurance and assurance firms bear the implementation and compliance costs (policy updates, staff reallocation or hiring, training, amended report templates). \n - Incentives: the changes increase demand for assurance personnel who meet APES 110 independence expectations and for external assurance resources if internal auditors can no longer provide direct assistance. \n- Implementation and transition risk: \n - There is a transitional mismatch risk because the standard applies APES 110 now but envisages alignment with ISSA 5000 once ISSA 5000 commences (Conformity paragraph). Firms must track future changes if APES 110 is later revised to include Part 5 or if ISSA 5000 becomes obligatory. \n - The NGER Determination/ASAE 3410 exception remains relevant: where that determination applies and does not require this ASSA, different requirements may continue to govern the engagement (Aus 0.1, Aus 0.3).\n\nConcrete mechanisms that produce effects (notories)\n\n- Replacing the ethics source (Aus 6.1, Aus 18.1): changes the baseline ethical rules auditors apply; practitioners must map their independence and conflict rules to APES 110 rather than IESBA Part 5. \n- Prohibiting internal auditors as direct assistants (Aus 18.2; Aus 42.1–42.2; Aus A29.1): restricts who may perform procedural work under the engagement team; this is a prescriptive personnel boundary that changes engagement staffing decisions. \n- Effective-date staging and NGER exception (Aus 0.3, Aus 0.1): alters when different organisations must comply, creating staggered implementation.\n\nKey textual references (selected): Aus 6.1, Aus 18.1–18.4, Aus 42.1–42.2, Aus A29.1, Aus 0.1–0.3, Conformity with International Standards paragraph, Appendix 3 illustrations.\n\n"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su","history":"/api/acts/standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su/history","analysis":"/api/acts/standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/standard-on-sustainability-assurance-assa-2025-3-amendments-to-assa-5000-general-requirements-for-su/documents"}}