Digital reporting: Why it's time for Australia

Digital reporting: Why it's time for Australia

Author: CPA Australia November 11, 2025 Duration: 23:08

Australia remains one of the few advanced economies still using PDFs for financial reporting – a format most global markets have already left behind.

In this episode, you'll gain expert-led insights on why adopting digital financial reporting in Australia is critical to supporting trust, transparency and competitiveness in global markets.

Explore how structured data allows regulators, investors and businesses to analyse and compare information more efficiently, driving better decision-making and reducing capital costs.

Listeners will learn:

  • How structured data improves accountability and investor confidence

  • Why global markets already mandate digital reporting standards

  • The link between digital disclosure and lower capital costs

  • How AI will enhance – not replace – digital reporting workflows

  • What Australian policymakers can learn from global peers

Learn why CPA Australia is recommending a mandate for digital reporting by listed entities in this expert-led discussion.

Listen now.

Host: Ram Subramanian, External Reporting Lead, Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia

Guest: John Turner, CEO of XBRL International, a global, non-profit standards body dedicated to improving business performance through enhanced transparency and accountability in reporting. With a background in law, IT, and government, he has led innovation in business model design, systems development and data standards for over two decades.

Additionally, this interim report from 2025 by the Productivity Commission provides broader context to digital reporting.

And you can find out John Turner's organisation XBRL at its website.

Loving this episode?

Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube.

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CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

Search for them in your podcast platform.

Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au


Tune in to With Interest for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping the world of business and finance. Presented by CPA Australia, this weekly discussion moves beyond the headlines to explore the practical implications of change for accounting professionals, business leaders, and anyone with a stake in the economic landscape. You’ll hear from practitioners and experts who break down complex topics in auditing, taxation, and corporate strategy into actionable insights. The conversations in this podcast are grounded in real-world application, whether the subject is a shift in regulatory frameworks, emerging leadership challenges, or broader economic trends. It’s a resource designed to inform your decisions and deepen your understanding of the professional landscape. For those looking to stay current and think critically about their work, With Interest provides a reliable and engaging audio companion. Each episode serves as a timely update and a catalyst for deeper professional reflection, all delivered with the authority and depth you would expect from CPA Australia.
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