Your guide to the ASX’s mandatory listing rule compliance course

4 Jul 2022

Following the changes to the Listing Rules in December 2019, from 1 July 2022, the person who is appointed responsible for communication with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on listing rule matters must have completed an approved listing rule compliance course and attained an acceptable pass mark in the test for that course.

Please find a helpful Q&A below, along with some online course materials and tips. Remember that the BoardRoom Company Secretarial Team will also be pleased to discuss how we can assist in acting as your nominated contact with the ASX.

What are the ASX listing rules?

The Listing Rules are a set of regulations that are applicable to the admission, quotation, and removal of entities from the official list of the ASX. This includes listings such as shares, REITs, infrastructure funds, and listed investment companies and trusts.

In order to list with ASX, a company needs to fulfil the minimum admission criteria, including structure, size and number of shareholders. For more help with ASX listing, you can check out our comprehensive suite of pre-IPO services.

What are the changes made to the ASX listing rules?

The major changes made to the Listing Rules, which came into effect in December 2019, focus on improving the quality and transparency of the businesses listed on the ASX while also reinforcing safeguards for investors and boosting confidence in the market.

A few of these changes include:

  • The form of market announcements and information required within released documents
  • Additional monthly and annual disclosures for listed LICs and LITs
  • Alterations to placement capacity rules
  • New guidance notes
  • Additional disclosure requirements for notices of meetings

For more details and information on the updated rules, please visit the official ASX Listing Rules website.

Who can take the ASX listing rules compliance course?

The course is recommended to be taken by persons who are or who want to be nominated ASX contacts. However, the course and the test can also be taken by any individual who simply wish to expand their knowledge of the new ASX Listing Rules.

When do I need to complete the ASX course and test by?

Existing listed entities appointing a new contact

If you are newly appointed as the ASX contact for an entity between 1 July – 30 September 2022 you have until 14 October 2022 to complete the test and email the completion certificate to your listing advisor.

Entities to be listed between 1 July – 30 September 2022

If you are appointed as the ASX contact for an entity listed/ relisted between 1 July – 30 September 2022 you have until 14 October 2022 to complete the test and email the completion certificate to your listing advisor.

Entities to be listed/ relisted from 1 October 2022 onwards

For entities that list/ relist from 1 October onwards, the nominated contact person must sit and pass the test before the company can be admitted (readmitted) to the official list.

You are the existing ASX contact for an entity

If the currently nominated ASX contact was recorded with the ASX as the Communications Person prior to 30 June 2022, then that person does not need to sit the test to remain the nominated contact.

How can I tell who is a nominated contact/how do I update the nominated contact information?

Log into your ASX Online account for your entities and go to the Directors/ Management section. Nominated ASX contacts should be assigned the title of “Communications Person” in addition to their title at the entity. For example, if you are the Company Secretary you should be assigned both the title “Company Secretary” and “Communications Person”.

ASX asks that you also separately email the Listing Advisor for each entity to inform them of any changes to the nominated Communications Person.

Online materials for the ASX listing rules compliance course

The ASX course materials can be accessed online here:

https://www2.asx.com.au/about/regulation/asx-compliance/listings-compliance/asx-listing-rules-compliance-course.html

Link to the test:

https://www2.asx.com.au/about/regulation/asx-compliance/listings-compliance/asx-listing-rules-compliance-course-exam

Useful information about the test

  • The course consists of a test with 30 questions.
    • Two questions from each module in the course materials and two questions directly from the listing rules.
  • It is an open-book test.
  • You can take the test as many times as you need to.
  • There is no time limit to complete the test.
  • Your passing score will appear on your certificate.
  • The test will take you approximately 1 -1.5 hours to complete.

Next steps

  • Check and update the ASX Nominated Communications Person for each of your ASX entities.
  • Take the ASX Listing Rules Compliance Test
  • Provide a copy of the certificate to each of your Listing Advisors.

Contact BoardRoom for more information:

Tom Bloomfield

General Manager, Growth & Partnerships

tom.bloomfield@boardroomlimited.com.au
+61 2 9290 9617

Questions?