The corporate regulator says its enforcement work secured a record $830 million of civil penalty orders against companies including super trustees in 2025-26.

“Our enforcement work is focused on misconduct that causes real harm and we are delivering results, forcing change, strengthening accountability and returning money to consumers and investors,” Australian Securities and Investments Commission chair Sarah Court said.

“We are pursuing cases that expose serious failures in systems, governance and conduct, from scams and hardship failures to market infrastructure, superannuation, private credit, financial reporting and digital assets.”

Major penalties included a $10.3 million fine the Federal Court imposed last month on Mercer Super for failing to report significant breaches to ASIC. One of the breaches related to the fund’s investigation of insurance premium deductions from dead members.

Ms Court says the regulator’s focus is on “protecting investors, returning money where possible, and holding lawbreakers to account. Where we see serious harm or risks to market integrity, we will act quickly and use the full range of regulatory and enforcement tools available to us.”