Australian leaders target stronger data & AI by 2026

Australian executives are prioritising stronger data governance and automated data collection for 2026, with many reporting that siloed information and limited real-time insight restrict strategic decision making.

New survey results from Workiva show 33% of Australian leaders identify siloed departmental data as the biggest limiter of strategic impact. Another 32% cite a lack of real-time data. Only 14% point to a lack of time to analyse data-below the global average of 20%.

The findings come from Workiva's 2026 Executive Benchmark Survey of 1,400 global leaders and 100 institutional investors at large firms. Workiva shared the Australian results as part of the broader dataset.

Budgets And Support

Most Australian respondents say they have organisational backing for finance transformation in the year ahead. The survey found 78% have secured a dedicated budget for finance transformation projects in 2026, and 76% have a dedicated IT team supporting these initiatives.

Governance structures are also becoming more common, with 57% saying a centre of excellence or steering committee will guide execution of transformation programmes.

Data management sits at the centre of these plans. The survey found 83% rank strengthening data governance across teams and automating data collection as their top digital transformation priorities for 2026.

Leaders say the main constraints are less about volume and more about structure and speed. Siloed datasets can limit enterprise-wide visibility across finance, risk, sustainability, and operations. Many organisations also lack real-time access to reporting inputs.

AI In Reporting

The research points to a growing role for AI in corporate reporting workflows, with respondents applying it to elements of quarterly and annual disclosures.

The survey found 64% of Australian executives use AI in select components of quarterly or annual disclosures, while 55% say they use it extensively across the reporting process.

Internal controls are emerging alongside this adoption. Three-quarters of respondents (75%) say internal audit teams test their AI models.

These results suggest firms are pairing broader AI use with assurance oversight. The survey does not specify the types of AI models used or the testing approaches applied by audit teams.

Sustainability Focus

Australian executives also report an investor-oriented approach to sustainability reporting. The survey found 39% are designing sustainability reporting with investors in mind, viewing it as a tool for communicating value, risk, and long-term resilience to capital markets.

Respondents cite different drivers behind sustainability efforts. Financial performance and profitability rank highest, with 34% naming these as primary drivers. Brand, values, and mission follow, with 20% selecting them as the top factor.

Regulators appear less prominent as the primary audience for sustainability reports. Only 7% of Australian respondents identify regulators as the main audience. A much larger share points to other stakeholders-including investors, employees, and customers-with the survey putting that combined group at 88%.

This investor lens comes as companies face growing scrutiny over how they measure and report emissions, climate risk, and governance practices. Many organisations now link sustainability metrics with financial planning and risk management.

Data As Constraint

The survey frames data quality, access, and governance as prerequisites for faster decision making. It also positions connected data as essential for reporting across finance and sustainability, particularly as firms add automation and AI to reporting processes.

"All over the world, businesses face the challenge of how fast they can turn disruption into action - and that's a data problem," said Narain Viswanathan, Area Director ANZ, Workiva.

"In Australia, we are seeing leaders invest in transformation with the core aims of growth, profitability, and achieving operational excellence. To do this they must gain financial clarity, modernise data flows, and scale with confidence," Viswanathan said.