To register a company in Australia, you apply to ASIC with the company name (or use the ACN as the name), the state it's registered in, its registered office and principal place of business, its share structure and members, and its directors and secretary, who must already have director IDs. The fee is $524 or $636 depending on the company type, as of October 2026.
Most new owners register a proprietary limited company, the familiar Pty Ltd. Below are the steps in the order ASIC sets them out, what you need before you start, and the obligations that begin the day the company exists.
Before you start: get every director a director ID
This is the step that stalls most registrations. ASIC says directors must apply for a director ID before a company is registered. Each director applies personally, it's free and it's done once, but it needs identity verification, so do it a few days ahead. Leave enough time for that verification before you file.
The steps, in order
- Choose a name, or let the Australian Company Number (ACN) be the name, for example ACN 123 456 789 Pty Ltd.
- Optionally reserve the name for up to 2 months with Form 410. The reservation fee is $65, as of October 2026.
- Choose the state or territory of registration, even if you'll trade nationwide.
- Give two addresses: a registered office address and a principal place of business.
- Decide how the company is governed: the replaceable rules in the Corporations Act 2001, a constitution, or a mix.
- Set the share structure and list the members. For a proprietary company that means each member's name and home address, or the top 20 in each share class if there are more than 20.
- Get written consent from every member for their shares, and from every director and secretary for their role.
- Apply and pay the registration fee of $524 or $636, depending on the company type.
What a registration costs
| Item | Fee as of October 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration | $524 or $636 | Depends on the type of company |
| Name reservation (Form 410) | $65 | Optional; holds a name for up to 2 months |
| Director ID | Free | Each director applies once, personally |
| Annual review fee | Payable each year | ASIC sends the annual review statement and invoice |
Company name versus business name
Here's a distinction that catches people out. ASIC keeps two separate registers: the companies register and the business names register. If your company will trade under any name other than its registered company name, you must also register that as a business name. ASIC's example is a company called Oranges Fruit Store Pty Ltd that registers the business name Oranges Fruit Store. Dropping the Pty Ltd is enough to need a business name registration. See my guide on how to register a business name in Australia.
Privacy: home addresses on the register
Shareholder details for proprietary companies are visible online on the companies register, and so are officeholder details. A proposed officeholder who's worried about their safety can ask ASIC to hide their residential address, but they must read ASIC's guidance before registering, because online registration through the Business Registration Service isn't available when you want to hide an officeholder's address. Some company types, including unlimited liability companies, can't be registered through that service either.
After registration
- ASIC sends a corporate key to the registered office. You'll need it for the company officeholder portal.
- Display the company name wherever the company does business and is open to the public.
- Put the company name and ACN on certain company documents.
- Pay the annual review fee and keep the company's details up to date.
- Register for the tax side separately as needed, including an ABN and GST.
For the tax registrations, my guides on how to apply for an ABN and register for GST take you through each one.
Replaceable rules or a constitution?
ASIC gives three options for how the company is governed: the replaceable rules in the Corporations Act 2001, your own constitution, or replaceable rules for some things and a constitution for others. The replaceable rules are a ready-made set of internal rules that apply unless you replace them, so a solo founder can register without drafting anything. A constitution is worth considering when there are several shareholders, because it lets you set rules for situations the defaults don't cover, such as what happens when someone wants to sell their shares. You can mix the two.
A pre-registration checklist
- A name you've checked against ASIC's rules for acceptable company names, or a decision to use the ACN.
- A director ID for every proposed director.
- A registered office address and a principal place of business address.
- The state or territory you'll register in.
- Your share structure, the number and class of shares, and each member's details.
- Signed consents from members and officeholders, kept on file.
My verdict
Registering the company is the quick bit; the preparation is what takes time. Get every director's ID sorted first, decide between the replaceable rules and a constitution before you start, and collect signed consents from members and officeholders. Do that and the application itself is a short job.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a company in Australia?
ASIC's registration fee is $524 or $636 depending on the company type, as of October 2026. Reserving a name first costs $65.
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Do I need a director ID to register a company?
Yes. ASIC says directors must apply for a director ID before a company is registered.
Can I register a company without choosing a name?
Yes. If you don't choose a name, the company's ACN becomes its name, for example ACN 123 456 789 Pty Ltd.
Are shareholder details public in Australia?
For proprietary companies, yes. ASIC says people can see shareholder details online on the companies register, and officeholder details are visible too.
How long can I reserve a company name?
Up to 2 months, using Form 410. If you need longer, you must apply again; ASIC doesn't reserve names indefinitely.
What do I get after registering a company?
ASIC sends a corporate key to the registered office, which you need for the company officeholder portal. The company's ACN must then appear on certain company documents.
Is a company name the same as a business name in Australia?
No. They're on separate registers. If the company trades under any other name, that name must be registered as a business name too.
