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Australia — Business: Limited Company

A limited company in Australia (most commonly a proprietary limited / Pty Ltd company) is registered nationally through ASIC, not state-by-state, and does not require a formal constitution — a company can instead rely on the default "replaceable rules" in the Corporations Act 2001, or adopt a custom constitution if desired. Registration costs AUD 636 (2026-27 ASIC fee) plus an ongoing annual review fee of AUD 342.

VerifiedGovernment / official sourceASIC official guidance and fee schedulesLast reviewed: 2026-08-31

Key facts

  • A limited company in Australia is considered a separate legal entity from its shareholders and directors.
  • Limited companies can be established for various purposes, including business operations, investment, and holding assets.
  • The type of company to register depends on the intended activities and purpose of the company.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Choose the Appropriate Type of Company — Determine the correct type of company to register, such as a public or private company, and consider factors like liability, ownership structure, and compliance requirements.
  2. Step 2: Decide on Governance Rules — Choose whether the company will operate under the default "replaceable rules" set out in the Corporations Act 2001 (no filing required) or adopt a custom written constitution, which is kept by the company (not lodged with ASIC) but must be available on request.
  3. Step 3: Register the Company with ASIC — Register nationally with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), either directly or via a registered agent, and obtain an Australian Company Number (ACN). This can typically be done online.
  4. Step 4: Obtain Other Licenses and Permits — Depending on the company's activities, additional licenses and permits may be required from state or territory authorities.

Costs

  • ASIC company registration fee (proprietary company): AUD 636 (2026-27 financial year, indexed annually 1 July)
  • ASIC annual review fee (ongoing, yearly): AUD 342 (2026-27 financial year)
  • Custom constitution drafting (optional — replaceable rules are free): varies, typically a lawyer's or formation agent's fee if a custom constitution is prepared

Timelines

  • Time to register with ASIC: often same day to a few business days online once required information is ready

Required documents

  • Consent to act as director/secretary from each officeholder
  • Shareholders' and directors' identification documents (including director ID / Director Identification Number)
  • Company constitution (only if not relying on replaceable rules)

Common mistakes

  • Failing to choose the correct type of company for the business
  • Directors not obtaining a required Director Identification Number (director ID) before appointment
  • Missing the annual review fee deadline, which triggers ASIC late fees and can lead to deregistration

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