Prime Highlights:
- Sarah Court will become the first female chair of ASIC, starting her five-year term on July 1, 2026.
- Her appointment marks a significant step for women in leadership, joining other top female leaders in Australia’s economic institutions.
Key Facts:
- Court has served as ASIC’s deputy chair since 2021 and played a key role in strengthening enforcement and investigation results.
- Before ASIC, she was a commissioner at the ACCC and a senior lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor.
Background:
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced that Sarah Court will become the first female chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), beginning her five-year term on July 1, 2026.
Court has been ASIC’s deputy chair since 2021, making her a clear choice to succeed outgoing chair Joe Longo. As deputy, she helped strengthen ASIC’s enforcement and investigation work, achieving some of the commission’s best results.
Before joining ASIC, Court was a commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and a senior lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor. Known for her expertise as a litigator, her appointment is seen as a continuation of the commission’s focus on consumer protection and market integrity.
In a statement, Treasurer Chalmers said, “Ms Court has been an excellent deputy and she will be an outstanding chair. Over the past five years, Sarah has substantially strengthened ASIC’s enforcement and investigation capabilities, reflecting a sharper focus on protecting consumers, lifting standards across the financial system, and reinforcing the integrity of Australia’s markets.”
The court’s appointment also highlights a growing trend of women leading key Australian economic institutions. She joins other leading women in Australia’s economic institutions, including Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock, ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Treasury secretary Jenny Wilkinson, and Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood.
Her promotion is a milestone for women in Australia’s top economic roles.
