How to register a company in Australia: step-by-step guide
Registering a company in Australia is more straightforward than most people expect. You can complete the whole process online, and in many cases your company can be registered within a few hours.
What does registering a company mean?
When you register a company, you are creating a new legal entity that can own property, enter contracts, and employ people in its own name. It is regulated by ASIC under the Corporations Act 2001. Every registered company receives an Australian Company Number (ACN), a unique nine-digit identifier.
What you need before you start
- A company name (and a backup option)
- Full name, date of birth, and residential address of all directors
- Full name and address of all shareholders
- Details of how shares will be divided
- A registered office address in Australia
Directors must be at least 18 years old and at least one must ordinarily reside in Australia.
Step 1: Choose and check your company name
Your company name must be unique and end in ‘Pty Ltd’. You cannot use words like ‘bank’, ‘trust’, or ‘government’ without special approval. You can check availability through eCompanies. If you have found a name but are not ready to register, eCompanies offers a Name Reservation service.
Step 2: Decide on directors and shareholders
A proprietary company must have at least one director and one shareholder, and the same person can be both. The proportion of shares held determines voting rights and entitlement to dividends.
Step 3: Register with ASIC
Registration is managed through ASIC, but registered agents including eCompanies can lodge on your behalf, which is often faster. You will complete Form 201, which captures your company name, directors, shareholders, and share structure.
Step 4: Receive your ACN and apply for your ABN
Once registered, ASIC issues your ACN. Apply for your ABN immediately after, as it is required for GST, invoicing, and tax. Through eCompanies, you can apply for your ABN at the same time as company registration.
How much does it cost?
Registration path | ASIC fee | Service fee | Total (approx.) |
Via eCompanies | $597 | From $99 | From $696 |
Most registrations are processed within a few hours. Registering through eCompanies means your application is checked for errors before lodgement, reducing the risk of delays.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a shareholders agreement?
Not legally required, but strongly recommended if there is more than one shareholder. Without one, you are governed by the Corporations Act defaults, which may not reflect what you and your co-founders actually want.
Can I register a company if I live overseas?
Yes, but the company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Australia.
Register your Australian company in minutes with eCompanies. Visit ecompanies.com.au to get started.
The content provided in this blog is intended solely for general information and awareness around our product offerings. It does not constitute personalised advice for any specific individual or organisation and should not be solely relied upon. All information within this blog post is generalised and does not consider the unique situations, circumstances, or requirements of any individual or organisation. Always seek professional advice and consider the suitability of the information to your specific goals and needs before taking any action based on the information presented.
