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A Corporate Governance Document sets out how a company makes decisions, manages risks, and protects stakeholder interests. It spells out the rules, systems, and relationships between the board, management, shareholders, and other key players in line with Australian corporate law and ASX guidelines.

This essential roadmap covers everything from board composition and meeting procedures to reporting requirements and ethical standards. Australian companies use these documents to show they're following the Corporations Act 2001 and meeting their legal duties while building trust with investors and the public.

Start using a Corporate Governance Document when your company grows beyond informal management structures or plans to attract serious investors. It becomes essential during key business changes like going public, bringing in new board members, or expanding operations across Australian states.

Your organization needs this framework before facing ASX compliance reviews, ASIC audits, or due diligence from potential partners. Having clear governance rules helps prevent disputes, guides decision-making during crises, and shows regulators you're serious about compliance. It's particularly valuable when dealing with conflicts of interest or making major strategic decisions.

• Board Charter: Outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for the board of directors and its committees
• Code of Conduct: Sets ethical standards and behavioral expectations for directors, executives, and employees
• Risk Management Framework: Details how the company identifies, assesses, and manages business risks
• Shareholder Communication Policy: Establishes protocols for engaging with investors and handling market disclosures
• Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) Policy: Defines the company's approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility

• Board of Directors: Approve and oversee the document, ensure compliance, and update policies as needed
• Company Secretary: Drafts and maintains governance documents, coordinates updates, ensures regulatory alignment
• Senior Executives: Implement governance policies, report to the board, manage day-to-day compliance
• Legal Counsel: Reviews and advises on document content, ensures ASX and ASIC compliance
• Shareholders: Key stakeholders who rely on these documents to understand how their interests are protected
• Compliance Officers: Monitor adherence, report breaches, recommend improvements to governance frameworks

• Company Details: Gather your company structure, ABN, registered address, and current board composition
• Regulatory Review: Check ASX listing rules and ASIC requirements that apply to your business size and type
• Internal Policies: List existing policies, reporting structures, and risk management processes
• Stakeholder Input: Collect feedback from board members and key executives on governance priorities
• Document Framework: Use our platform to generate a tailored template that includes all mandatory elements
• Review Process: Set up internal review cycles and approval procedures before finalizing the document

• Board Structure: Clear definition of board composition, roles, and independence requirements
• Decision Powers: Specific authorities and limits for board, committees, and management
• Meeting Procedures: Rules for scheduling, quorum, voting, and minutes documentation
• Risk Management: Framework for identifying, assessing, and managing business risks
• Compliance Framework: Procedures for meeting ASX and ASIC requirements
• Reporting Obligations: Schedule and format of financial and performance reports
• Ethics Guidelines: Standards for conduct, conflicts of interest, and insider trading
• Review Process: Timeline and procedures for regular policy updates

A Corporate Governance Document differs significantly from a Corporate Compliance Document in several key ways, though they're often mistakenly used interchangeably. Here are the main distinctions:

• Scope and Purpose: Governance documents set broad strategic direction and decision-making frameworks, while compliance documents focus specifically on meeting regulatory requirements and internal rules
• Authority Level: Governance documents are board-approved, high-level frameworks that guide overall company direction. Compliance documents are operational tools managed by department heads
• Content Focus: Governance covers board structure, stakeholder rights, and strategic oversight. Compliance deals with specific regulatory requirements, reporting procedures, and operational controls
• Implementation: Governance documents shape policy creation, while compliance documents detail how to follow those policies in day-to-day operations