ASX initiatives to boost investor adoption of electronic CHESS statements

ASX has been working with key industry stakeholders to lift the rate of investor opt-in to electronic communications to realise benefits for investors, issuers and the environment.

In December 2021, ASX introduced the option for participants (brokers) to opt-in investors with CHESS holder accounts (on HIN) to receiving their CHESS statements and notifications electronically. This marked a shift from the traditional approach, where CHESS statements and notifications were issued exclusively as printed documents sent by mail.

A number of benefits are achieved through the transition to electronic communications including the reduction of paper and related costs, providing investors with a more timely and secure delivery method, the provision of historical statements, as well as a reduction in fees for issuers. Issuers are currently charged $0.50 per paper statement issued by ASX, whereas the delivery of statements and notifications electronically is included in the ASX Issuer Services Subscription Fee.

However, take-up of this option by investors (as supported by participants) has been slower than expected – at December 2025 only 15% of CHESS holder accounts had opted in to electronic communications with just over 20% of CHESS statements being issued electronically. More recently most participants have been automatically opting in all new investors to electronic communications on creation of their accounts in CHESS.

The ASX Issuer Services team has been actively working on a number of initiatives to increase this take-up. Fee savings have been introduced for participants that support transitioning investors to electronic communications. More recently, ASX has actively promoted the option to investors through social media campaigns and ASX Investor Day communications. For those investors still receiving paper statements, ASX will include an information pamphlet in each monthly CHESS holding statement envelope mailed to investors from March 2026. The pamphlet explains how investors can opt-in and access electronic CHESS holding statements and notifications.

Additionally, ASX formed a Statements Working Group in August 2024. The primary remit of the group, that includes 21 member organisations (including GIA) representing participants, issuers, share registries and their industry associations, was to increase the take-up by investors of electronic communications, and work to reduce any impediments to that take-up, with a focus on transitioning existing investors. One of the key initiatives of the group is close to implementation, with ASX delivering amendments to the ASX Settlement Operating Rules to respond to a key impediment identified by participants – relevantly their ability to rely on negative consent to obtain authority from existing investors to convert their holdings to electronic communications (from postal). The rule amendments become effective 16 February 2026 with ASX actively engaging with participants to coordinate plans to convert high numbers of existing investors at a time.

For more information about electronic CHESS holding statements and notifications, please visit asx.com.au/statements.

If you would like to know more about these initiatives or discuss how you can promote ASX electronic communications with your investors, please contact the ASX Issuer Services team by email at [email protected].