A company has different legal, financial and record keeping responsibilities compared to other business structures.

Choose a company name

You can choose a company name when you register your company, but it’s not compulsory. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has more advice on choosing company names.

You can use a new name, your Australian Company Number (ACN) or a name that you've reserved with ASIC.

If you use a company name, it must show the legal status of the company. For example, My Business Pty Ltd.

Register your company

You can register your company and other business registrations through the Business Registration Service. Before you register, make sure you:

  • choose a company name
  • decide whether your company will be proprietary or public
  • understand your legal obligations.
Register your company

A company has directors who manage the company. Directors must follow the Corporations Act 2001.

It’s important that you understand your legal obligations as a company director. Learn about your company and the law on the ASIC website.

You need to apply for a director identification number (director ID) if you’re a director of:

  • a company
  • a registered foreign company
  • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

Find out more about director IDs.

 

You can choose a company name that isn’t already registered to another company or as a business name. You’ll also need special approval to use certain words in your company name.

Check if the company name you want is available on ASIC’s name availability search.

The cost of registering a company depends on the type of company you register. See the current list of company fees on the ASIC website.

You can pay online when you register through the Business Registration Service.

 

It takes around 15 minutes to register your company using the Business Registration Service. You should get confirmation in 2 business days if you’ve provided all the documents needed and paid the fee.

If you register through a private service provider (PSP), such as your accountant or lawyer, check the timeframes with the PSP.

 

Under the Corporations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2006, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups can form Indigenous corporations.

Indigenous corporations can register with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous corporations (ORIC). Learn about registering Indigenous corporations.

 

Every company in Australia has a unique 9-digit number known as an Australian Company Number (ACN).

You get an ACN when you register a company. ASIC manages ACNs.

You’ll receive an annual statement from ASIC after the annual review date (which is usually the date you registered the company).

To keep your company registered you must: 

  • pay your annual company fees
  • check and update your details
  • pass a solvency resolution.

You can learn more about annual statements for companies on the ASIC website.

 

If your company carries on business under a name different to your registered company name, you must register it as a business name.

Registering a company name doesn’t protect your Intellectual Property (IP) or brand. If you want exclusive rights to your company name, you’ll need to trade mark it.

Read more about registering a trade mark.

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