Can Shareholders Ask Questions at a Virtual AGM?

Can Shareholders Ask Questions at a Virtual AGM?

Yes — shareholders must be able to ask questions at a virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM). Under Australian law, companies are required to provide shareholders with a meaningful opportunity to participate, which includes the ability to ask questions and make comments in real time. As virtual and hybrid AGMs become increasingly common, ensuring compliant and effective shareholder engagement is more important than ever.

This article explains the legal requirements, regulatory guidance, and practical steps companies can take to facilitate shareholder questions at virtual AGMs.

Corporations Act Requirement: Reasonable Opportunity to Participate

The key legal requirement comes from section 249S of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), which states that members as a whole must be given a “reasonable opportunity to participate” in meetings.

View the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

This obligation applies equally to physical, hybrid, and fully virtual meetings. Participation is not limited to voting — it also includes:

If shareholders are unable to ask questions during a virtual AGM, the meeting may fail to meet statutory requirements.

ASIC Guidance on Virtual AGM Participation

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has reinforced that virtual meetings must provide equivalent opportunities for participation as in-person meetings.

ASIC expects companies to ensure:

This means companies must go beyond basic compliance and actively facilitate engagement.

How to Structure Q&A at Virtual AGMs

A well-structured Q&A process is essential to meeting legal obligations and maintaining shareholder trust. Companies should provide multiple channels for questions and ensure they are addressed appropriately.

Effective approaches include:

Transparency is critical — shareholders should feel confident their questions are being heard and considered.

Technology Requirements for Real-Time Participation

The technology platform used for a virtual AGM plays a central role in enabling shareholder participation. It must be reliable, accessible, and capable of supporting real-time interaction.

Key requirements include:

Without appropriate technology, companies risk limiting participation and falling short of compliance expectations.

Best Practices for Shareholder Engagement

Beyond compliance, strong engagement practices can significantly improve the shareholder experience at virtual AGMs.

Recommended best practices include:

These practices not only meet regulatory expectations but also strengthen transparency and governance.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Companies transitioning to virtual AGMs often encounter avoidable issues that can undermine participation.

Common mistakes include:

A proactive approach — combining legal awareness with robust technology — helps avoid these pitfalls.

How Vero Voting Supports ASIC-Compliant Virtual AGMs

At Vero Voting, we understand that enabling shareholder participation is not just a legal requirement — it is fundamental to good governance. Our platform is designed to support fully compliant virtual and hybrid AGMs, ensuring shareholders can engage meaningfully in real time.

Our services include:

We help organisations deliver professional, transparent, and fully participatory virtual AGMs.

Ensure Your Next Virtual AGM Meets Participation Requirements

Shareholders must be given a genuine opportunity to ask questions at virtual AGMs — it is a core component of compliance under the Corporations Act and a key expectation of ASIC. With the right structure, technology, and expertise, companies can deliver engaging and legally compliant meetings.

If you are planning a virtual or hybrid AGM and want to ensure full shareholder participation, contact Vero Voting today to learn how we can support your next meeting.