Register a company (Pty Ltd)
A company is its own legal entity, which can suit growing businesses, businesses with partners or investors, and owners who want to separate business and personal affairs. Registering one is very doable online. Here's what you'll need and your two main options.
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Is a company right for you?
Companies have more set-up cost, admin and reporting than sole traders, plus legal duties for directors. In return you get a separate legal entity and, generally, limited liability for shareholders. The business.gov.au guide to business structures (opens in a new tab) compares the options, and a chat with your accountant is well worth it before you register.
What you'll need
- A director ID for every director. Free from Australian Business Registry Services (opens in a new tab). Apply before you register the company.
- A company name (or use the ACN as the name), checked against ASIC's naming rules.
- Two addresses: a registered office and a principal place of business, plus the state or territory you'll register in.
- Officeholders and shareholders: names, home addresses, dates and places of birth, and their written consent.
- A share structure (classes, number of shares, amounts paid).
- Internal rules: the replaceable rules in the Corporations Act, your own constitution, or a mix.
What it costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Register a proprietary company (Pty Ltd) | $636 |
| Annual review fee (proprietary company) | $342 a year |
| Director ID | Free |
Fees per business.gov.au, changes from 1 July 2026 (opens in a new tab). A registration service charges its own fee on top of the ASIC fee.
Your two options
Option 1: Do it yourself
Register through the government's Business Registration Service (opens in a new tab). You pay the ASIC fee and prepare the consents, share details and rules yourself. Great if your setup is simple and you're comfortable with the paperwork.
Option 2: Use an online service
Services such as Lawpath (opens in a new tab) prepare the documents, lodge the application with ASIC and can supply a constitution and related documents, for their own fee on top of the ASIC fee. It suits founders who'd rather have it handled, or who want documents like a shareholders agreement at the same time.
After registration
- You'll receive your ACN and certificate of registration, and ASIC sends a corporate key to the registered office.
- Apply for the company's own ABN and TFN, and register for GST if needed (see our ABN guide).
- Register a business name if you'll trade under a name that's different from the company name.
- Open a company bank account: see business banking and payments.
- Diarise the annual review and keep company records and the share register up to date.
Tools to consider
Listed in no particular order. This isn't every provider in the market, so compare a few and check current pricing and terms on each provider's site.
Lawpath
Online company registration, legal documents and access to lawyers
Good for: Founders who want registration and documents handled online
Lawpath is an Australian online legal platform. It offers company registration, customisable legal document templates and access to lawyers. Check Lawpath's current pricing, which is on top of the ASIC registration fee.
Worth knowing
- Company registration and related documents in one place
- Templates still need care to fit your situation
- Complex structures (trusts, multiple shareholder classes) may warrant a dedicated lawyer or accountant
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Free official resources
Common questions
How much does it cost to register a company in Australia?
ASIC's fee to register a proprietary company is $636 from 1 July 2026, and the annual review fee is $342. Services that register for you charge their own fee on top.
Do I need a director ID first?
Yes. Every director needs a director ID before the company is registered. It's free from Australian Business Registry Services.
Does a company need a separate ABN?
Yes. A company is a separate legal entity, so it applies for its own ABN and TFN after registration.