How to register a company in Australia
The Airwallex Editorial Team
Key takeaways:
When you register a company in Australia, you're creating a separate legal entity through ASIC, most commonly as a proprietary limited (Pty Ltd) company, which limits shareholders' personal liability to the value of their shares.
Before you can submit your application through the Business Registration Service (BRS), you need several things ready: a company name, a registered office address, your governance rules, your share structure, and your director details, including a director identification number.
Once you're registered, modern fintech platforms like Airwallex let you open multi-currency business accounts, pay suppliers globally, and manage company spend from one platform – so you're not held back by the fees and delays of traditional banking from day one.
When you register a company in Australia, you're creating a business entity that's legally separate from you and any other owners. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) handles this process, and you can do it entirely online in around 15 minutes.
Once you're registered, ASIC gives your company an Australian Company Number (ACN), and it becomes its own legal entity – able to sign contracts, own assets, and run independently from you and any other shareholders.
What to decide before you register
Before you can submit your application to ASIC, you need to make several key decisions and gather specific information. Here is everything you need to have ready.
Check and choose your company name
Your company name needs to be unique and can't be the same as any name already on ASIC's register. Start by using ASIC's name availability tool to confirm the name you want to use isn't already taken. If you're not ready to register yet, you can reserve your chosen name for up to two months for a fee.
You'll also need to follow ASIC's naming rules. Your name needs to include the legal status (like "Pty Ltd"), can't use restricted words like "bank", "trust", or "royal" unless you get government approval, and can't mislead people about what your company actually does.
Set your registered office and principal place of business
When you register, you'll need to give ASIC two addresses. The registered office is where ASIC sends all official correspondence – think of it as your company's legal mailing address. The principal place of business is where the company primarily operates and this is where you actually run your business day-to-day.
Both need to be physical Australian street addresses as ASIC doesn't allow PO boxes. They can be the same address if you're running your business from one location. Keep in mind that both addresses are publicly visible on ASIC's register, so anyone can look them up.
Set the rules: Constitution or replaceable rules
Every company needs rules for how it runs. You have two options here.
Replaceable rules are the default guidelines that come from the Corporations Act 2001. They're free, don't require any paperwork, and work fine for straightforward structures. Think of them as the standard operating manual that comes with every company.
A constitution is your own custom rulebook that you create for the company. It gives you more control over shareholder rights, voting, and dividend policies. You'd choose this if you want specific rules that differ from the standard set-up.
There's one catch: if you're the only director and only shareholder, you need to create a constitution – the replaceable rules won't work for you.
Decide your share structure
Your share structure determines who owns what percentage of the company. At registration, ASIC needs you to decide: how many shares you're issuing, what type they are, and the name and address of each shareholder. If your company has more than 20 members, you only need to list the top 20 members in each class of shares.
You'll also need to specify whether shares are paid or unpaid:
Fully paid shares: The shareholder paid the full value when the shares were issued.
Unpaid shares: There's a remaining amount owed later.
For your proprietary company, there's a cap of 50 non-employee shareholders.
This keeps the company structure relatively simple and maintains its "private" status.
Appoint directors and get a director ID
Every director must have a director identification number (director ID, also known as a DIN) before the company can be registered. This is a permanent unique identifier that you apply for through the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS). It's designed to prevent fraudulent director identities.
Once you have your director ID, it stays with you for life even if you leave this company or join new ones.
Keep in mind that at least one of your directors needs to live in Australia most of the time and not just be visiting occasionally.
If your proprietary company has crowd-sourced funding shareholders, you'll need at least two directors, and most of them need to live in Australia.
You'll need written consent from each director before you can appoint them – you can't just add someone without them knowing.
How to register a company in Australia
Once the building blocks above are in place, you can complete the actual registration process online in most cases.
Register with the Business Registration Service
The Business Registration Service (BRS) is the Australian Government's online portal that combines company registration, ABN application, and tax registrations in one go. ASIC runs it, and it means you're not filling out multiple forms across different agencies.
Here's how to complete the process:
Go to register.business.gov.au
Enter your company name, type (e.g., proprietary limited), and registered addresses
Provide details for your directors and shareholders
Choose your governance rules (constitution or replaceable rules)
Pay the ASIC registration fee
Receive your Australian Company Number (ACN) and certificate of registration
You'll get an email confirmation, usually within two business days. ASIC will post your corporate key (you'll need this to access the company officeholder portal) to your registered office. Keep this safe as you'll need it to update company details later.
Registration fees and timing
You'll pay ASIC a registration fee, and how much depends on your company type. Check the current ASIC fee schedule for up-to-date figures as they update these from time to time.
Your online registration through the BRS usually goes through quickly. Once you've submitted everything and paid, you'll usually get confirmation within two business days. If you need to start trading urgently, factor in this waiting period.
When you cannot use BRS to register a company
You won't be able to use the online BRS to register if:
You need to hide a director's home address from the public register
Your company has unlimited liability
You need to lodge specific forms with your application (form 207Z, which is for stamp duty compliance, or form 208 for details of shares issued other than for cash)
A director's place of birth causes a system error
ASIC won't accept one of your company addresses
Your shares have a value with more than four decimal places (like 0.00079)
You're registering a company limited by shares as a corporate collective investment vehicle
You're registering a public company that uses its ACN as the company name and is run by a constitution
In these cases, contact ASIC directly. ASIC will give you a paper form to complete instead. The process takes longer, but it's the only option for these special circumstances.
What to do after registering a company in Australia
Registration is just the starting point. You'll need to complete several follow-up steps before you can legally start trading, plus ongoing responsibilities that kick in as soon as your company is registered.
Get your ACN, ABN and TFN
You'll need three important numbers to run your company.
The ACN (Australian Company Number) is a nine-digit number that ASIC gives every company when it registers. This is how ASIC identifies your company in all your interactions with them.
The ABN (Australian Business Number) is an 11-digit number you'll use for tax and whenever you interact with the government. You can apply for it through the Australian Business Register, or do it at the same time through the BRS when you register your company. You'll likely need an ABN to invoice your customers and claim back GST credits.
The TFN (Tax File Number) is the unique number the ATO gives you to manage your company's tax. You can apply for it when you apply for your ABN. You'll need this when you file tax returns and deal with the ATO.
Register for GST and PAYG withholding
You'll need to register for GST (Goods and Services Tax) once your annual turnover hits the threshold. For most businesses, this is A$75,000, but it's worth checking the ATO website for the current figure as it does change.
If you expect to exceed this in your first year, you can register for GST from day one.
If you employ staff, you'll need to register for PAYG (Pay As You Go) withholding. This is how you withhold tax from your employees' wages and pass it on to the ATO for them. You can set up both through the BRS when you register your company, so you're not filling out forms twice.
Register a business name if needed
Your registered company name (like "Acme Holdings Pty Ltd") is your legal identity. A business name (like "Acme Supplies") is what you use if you want to trade under something different from your company name. Think of it like a brand name that's easier for customers to remember.
You'll register business names separately through ASIC Connect, and they come with their own fee. If you trade under your exact registered company name, you don't need to register a separate business name. But, if you want to use a shorter or different name on your shopfront, website, or invoices, you'll need to register it.
Check licences and permits
Many industries require specific licences to operate, and these are separate from company registration.
For example, if you're running a café, you'll need food handling licences. If you're in construction, you'll need building licences. If you're offering financial services, you'll need AFSL approval.
Use the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) Guided Search to check what applies to your specific industry and location. This tool asks you questions about your business and tells you exactly which licences you need.
Don't skip this step – operating without the right licences can get you fined or shut down.
Open a business bank account
You'll need a separate business bank account to keep your company and personal finances distinct. This is crucial for accurate tax reporting, financial record-keeping, and staying compliant with ASIC.
Mixing personal and business money makes it harder to track expenses, claim deductions, and prove to the ATO that transactions are legitimate business costs.
You'll need your ACN and ABN to open one. Traditional banks often require you to visit a branch with multiple forms of ID and company documents.
Fintech platforms like Airwallex offer faster onboarding – you can open multi-currency accounts online in minutes, without the paperwork hassle.
Keep statutory and tax records
You'll need to maintain several types of records: A register of members (your list of everyone who owns shares); director and officer details need to be kept up to date. financial records – that's everything from invoices and receipts to bank statements and accounting records; and minutes from your meetings that capture what directors and shareholders decided.
You'll need to keep financial records for at least seven years to meet ASIC and ATO requirements. The ATO also wants you to keep tax records for seven years. Count from either the transaction date or the end of that financial year, whichever gives you the longer timeframe.
Ongoing obligations after company registration
Once your company is registered, you have recurring duties that don't go away:
Annual review fee: You'll get an annual statement from ASIC on your company's registration anniversary, and that's when you'll need to pay the annual review fee. You must pay this every year to keep your company registered.
Notify changes: You must notify ASIC of any changes to directors, addresses, or shareholders within 28 days. This keeps the public register accurate.
Solvency resolution: You must pass a solvency resolution each year. This is a formal declaration that the company can pay its debts as and when they fall due.
Financial statements: If required, you must lodge annual financial statements. Not all companies need to do this – it depends on your size and structure.
Manage your company's finances with Airwallex
Once your company is registered, how you manage money day-to-day can make a big difference to how efficiently you operate – especially if you're dealing with cross-border activity.
This is where Airwallex can help.
Collect and pay in multiple currencies
Airwallex's Global Accounts let you open local currency accounts in 21 currencies, and you can collect payments from 70+ countries directly into your account. This means faster payments and lower fees for your customers, which improves your cash flow.
You can also pay suppliers internationally using local payment rails with near-instant arrival. Instead of waiting three to five days for international wire transfers, most payments arrive the same day. Access to interbank FX rates means you avoid the large mark-ups typically charged by traditional banks – often saving you up to 80% on FX fees.
Control company spend and automate reconciliation
Airwallex's Corporate Cards and Expense Management let you issue virtual and physical cards to employees with custom spend controls. You can set limits by amount, merchant category, or time period. This means employees can make necessary purchases without needing approval each time, but you stay in control.
AI automatically categorises your expenses, so your team doesn't waste time manually sorting receipts. Everything syncs with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks from day one. This is the natural next step for a newly registered company that wants clean financial records without the manual overhead of spreadsheets and email approvals.
Frequently asked questions
Is a company secretary required for a proprietary limited company in Australia?
You don't need a company secretary for a proprietary limited company – it's optional. If you do appoint one, they need to live in Australia most of the time and take on key ASIC filing responsibilities, such as lodging annual statements and notifying changes.
Can I use my home address as the registered office for my Australian company?
Yes, you can use your home address as the registered office. Keep in mind that anyone can look it up on ASIC's public register. If you're concerned about privacy, you might want to use a registered agent's address instead.
Can I register a company in Australia without an Australian resident director?
No – ASIC requires at least one director to live in Australia most of the time. Without one, you must appoint a nominee director before the application can be submitted.
How long does it take to receive an ABN after registering a company in Australia?
An ABN can be applied for through the BRS at the same time as company registration, so there's typically no additional wait. If you apply separately after you get your ACN, you'll usually get your ABN within a few business days.
Do I need to register a business name if I already have a registered company name in Australia?
Not if you trade under your exact registered company name including the legal suffix (e.g., "Pty Ltd"). You'll only need to register a separate business name if you want to trade under a different or shortened name.
What is the difference between an ACN, ABN and ARBN in Australia?
An ACN is issued by ASIC to every registered Australian company. An ABN is issued by the ATO to any business entity for tax purposes. An ARBN is issued by ASIC to foreign companies or registrable Australian bodies that are not incorporated locally as companies.
What are the annual obligations after registering a company in Australia?
You'll get an annual statement from ASIC on your company's registration anniversary, and that's when you'll need to pay the annual review fee. You must also notify ASIC of any changes to directors, addresses or shareholders within 28 days and pass a solvency resolution each year.
Can I change my company name after registration in Australia?
Yes – a company name can be changed by lodging the relevant form with ASIC and paying a name change fee. The company's ACN remains the same regardless of any name change.
What should I do if my BRS application fails due to an address or place of birth error?
Get in touch with ASIC directly – you'll need to give them your proposed company name, explain why online registration isn't working, and provide your transaction reference number. ASIC will give you a paper form to complete the registration manually.
Sources
https://www.asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/companies/register-a-company
https://www.asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/companies/company-building-blocks/company-rules-and-constitutions/
https://www.asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/companies/company-building-blocks/company-addresses/
This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. If you are a customer of Airwallex Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 487221) read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Direct Services available here.
The Airwallex Editorial Team
Airwallex’s Editorial Team is a global collective of business finance and fintech writers based in Australia, Asia, North America, and Europe. With deep expertise spanning finance, technology, payments, startups, and SMEs, the team collaborates closely with experts, including the Airwallex Product team and industry leaders to produce this content.
