Audit Quality Indicators and Industry Average

What are AQIs

AQIs are specific metrics used to assess audit quality. Since the launch of ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework (Framework) in 2015, AQIs have been used by various stakeholders:

• By audit committees (ACs) in the assessment of auditors and the evaluation of the quality of the audit engagements performed;

• By regulatory agencies in their regulatory efforts, to assess audit firms’ Systems of Quality Management (SoQM) and auditors’ appointment or reappointment; and

• By audit firms to monitor performance and design responses to areas which require attention or improvement.

Many other audit oversight bodies from overseas jurisdictions have also recognised the value of AQIs in supporting stakeholders to make informed decisions and enhance audit quality.

In response to the evolving auditing landscape, ACRA regularly conducts timely and comprehensive reviews of the Framework. The 2025 review covered the following:

• Applying insights gathered on the association between engagement-level metrics and audit quality;

• Considering feedback obtained from users of the Framework; and

• Studying international developments to:

  • Gain an understanding of the projects prioritised by international standard setters; and

  • Assess how the Framework compares with those developed by overseas audit oversight bodies.

Upon the review conducted in 2025, ACRA’s revised AQI Disclosure Framework now comprise a total of 10 indicators.

AQI is a voluntary framework to support discussions on audit quality. For audit firms that use the AQI, we encourage the sharing of AQI data with audit committees and other relevant stakeholders.

List of AQIs

Adopting the AQI framework

Download the publication on the 2025 review of ACRA's AQI Disclosure Framework.

Audit firms can use this revised Framework for audits of financial statements for financial periods ending on or after 31 March 2026, with an option for early adoption.

Guidance for stakeholders

Learn how to interpret AQIs and apply them in practice: Guidance to audit committees on ACRA's Revised AQI Disclosure Framework [PDF, 389 KB]

Past Resources

2020’s revised ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework

• Guidance to audit committees on ACRA's Revised AQI Disclosure Framework [PDF, 302KB]

• Sample presentation format for ACRA's Revised AQI disclosure framework [PDF, 165 KB]

• Guidance to audit firms on ACRA's Revised AQI Disclosure Framework [PDF, 301 KB]

2015’s initial launch of ACRA’s AQI Disclosure Framework

• ACRA-CPA Australia Joint Publication on Audit Quality Indicators (PDF, 1.04MB)
• Guidance to Audit Committees on ACRA’s Audit Quality Indicators Disclosure Framework (PDF, 0.97MB)

• Guidance to Audit Firms (PDF, 1.08MB)
• Sample Presentation Format for ACRA’s AQI framework (Word, 53.6KB)

Related news

• Groundbreaking Audit Quality Indicators Framework to Raise Audit Quality of Financial Reporting in Singapore (PDF, 220KB)

• Keynote Address by Mr Kenneth Yap, ACRA Chief Executive, at the 2015 CPA Australia Congress (PDF, 294KB)

Checking AQI industry averages

We publish industry averages and range data for three AQIs twice a year.

Latest industry averages:

• AQI - Industry information (September 2025) [PDF, 155 KB]

• AQI - Industry information (March 2025) [PDF, 155 KB]

We group the data by Big Four firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) and non-Big Four firms serving listed companies. This grouping supports industry comparisons.

Which AQIs have industry data

Available industry data

When we publish industry averages