How to get an ACN: register a company with ASIC
You get an ACN by registering a company. ASIC issues the 9-digit number when the company is registered (ASIC: Australian Company Number (ACN) (opens in a new tab)), and the registration fee is $636 or $524, as listed on 30 September 2026 (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab)).
Start registering a company (opens in a new tab)
Updated . Steps and fees checked against asic.gov.au, business.gov.au, ato.gov.au and abr.gov.au the same day.
The short version
- Cost
- $636 if the company has a share capital, $524 if it doesn't (ASIC's fee schedule, as listed on 30 September 2026)
- Time
- About 15 minutes to register on the Business Registration Service. You should get confirmation in 2 business days if you've provided all the documents and paid the fee
- Have ready
- Two addresses, the company's rules, details of its shareholders, directors and any secretary, and a director ID for each director. A name is optional
- Who can be a director
- Every director must be 18 or older and have a director ID. A proprietary company needs at least one director who normally lives in Australia
- Not for
- Sole traders, partnerships and trusts. They don't register as a company, so there's no ACN to get
First, check a company is what you need
ASIC says to decide whether a company is the right structure first. Other structures such as sole traders, partnerships and trusts do not need to register as a company (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). If you choose a company, you register it on the Australian companies register, which ASIC manages (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
An ACN, an ABN and a business name are three different things:
| What you get | How you get it | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| ACN | Register a company with ASIC (ASIC: Australian Company Number (ACN) (opens in a new tab)) | $636 or $524 (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab)) |
| ABN | Apply to the Australian Business Register. A company needs its ACN first (ATO: Business or company registrations (opens in a new tab)) | Free (business.gov.au: Register for an Australian Business Number (opens in a new tab)) |
| Business name | Register it with ASIC, on a separate register. You first need an ABN, or the reference number for your ABN application (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab); ASIC: How to register a business name with ASIC (opens in a new tab)) | $47 for 1 year, $108 for 3 years (ASIC: Schedules of business names fees (opens in a new tab)) |
A company doesn't need a business name to trade under its own company name. If you want to do business under a different name, you register a business name as well (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). See how to get an ABN, business name availability and ABN vs ACN.
What you need before you start
ASIC lists five building blocks (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)):
- A company name. Optional. There are rules about what name you can have.
- Two addresses. A registered office address and a principal place of business address. You choose one state or territory to register in, even if you do business nationwide.
- Company rules. Every company needs rules for how it is managed. It can use the replaceable rules in the Corporations Act 2001, have its own constitution, or use the replaceable rules for some things and a constitution for others.
- Shares and shareholders. The company's share structure and the number and type of shares issued. For a proprietary company, the name and home address of each member (shareholder), and written consent from every proposed member confirming the shares they will own and what they will pay.
- Directors and secretaries. For each one: their name (including any former names), home address, and place and date of birth. The company must get and keep their written, signed consent. Each director needs a director ID (step 2 below).
Shareholder details (for proprietary companies) and officeholder details are visible online on the companies register. An officeholder who is worried about their safety can ask ASIC to hide their residential address. ASIC says to read its page on hiding a residential address before you register, and not to use the Business Registration Service in that case (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
Who can be a director or secretary
ASIC sets rules for a company's officeholders, meaning its directors and secretaries (ASIC: Company officeholders (directors and secretaries) (opens in a new tab)):
- Officeholders must be at least 18 years old.
- A proprietary company must have at least one director, and at least one director must normally live in Australia. It doesn't need a secretary. If it has one, at least one secretary must normally live in Australia.
- A public company must have at least 3 directors, with at least 2 of them normally living in Australia, and at least one secretary who normally lives in Australia.
- Directors must apply for a director ID before they are appointed.
- You can't be an officeholder while you are bankrupt or covered by a personal insolvency agreement. You also can't be one for 5 years after a conviction for certain offences, such as fraud or other offences involving dishonesty. If you were imprisoned, the 5 years run from your release.
Register in six steps
- Decide on a company. If a sole trader, partnership or trust suits you better, you don't need an ACN (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). The steps for an ABN are on how to get an ABN.
- Get a director ID for each director. Directors must apply for one before the company is registered (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). You apply for your own, to verify your identity (ATO: Business or company registrations (opens in a new tab)). ASIC and business.gov.au both send you to the Australian Business Registry Services (opens in a new tab) for it.
- Choose a name, or skip it. A company name must show the company's legal status, for example My Business Pty Ltd (business.gov.au: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). Check the name on ASIC's name availability search (opens in a new tab). If you're not ready to register, you can reserve a name for up to 2 months for $65, with Form 410 (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
- Gather your details and consents. Use the list above. You need written consent from each proposed member and from each proposed director or secretary (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
- Register and pay. Register through the Business Registration Service (opens in a new tab). It takes around 15 minutes, and you pay online (business.gov.au: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). ASIC then processes the registration. There are a few situations where you can't use the Business Registration Service, which ASIC lists at the foot of its page (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
- Save your confirmation. The Business Registration Service emails a confirmation with your ACN and a certificate of registration. ASIC sends the corporate key to the company's registered office address, and you need it to use ASIC's company officeholder portal (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
What it costs
| Item | Fee, as listed on 30 September 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Register a company with a share capital | $636 | (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab)) |
| Register a company without a share capital | $524 | (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab)) |
| Reserve a company name, optional (up to 2 months) | $65 | (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab); ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)) |
| Annual review fee, proprietary company (not a special purpose company) | $342 | (ASIC: Company annual review (opens in a new tab)) |
| ABN, through the Australian Business Register | Free | (business.gov.au: Register for an Australian Business Number (opens in a new tab)) |
The first three are the fees in force from 1 July 2026, and ASIC indexes certain fees each July (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab)). ASIC lists three other annual review fees: $70 for a special purpose proprietary company, $65 for a special purpose public company and $1,591 for a public company (ASIC: Company annual review (opens in a new tab)). ASIC's register a company page puts the registration fee at $524 or $636 for most companies (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
After you have your ACN
- Show it where the law says. The company name and its ACN (or an ABN that contains it) must appear on certain documents, including invoices and letterhead. For the list, see where a company must show its ACN (ASIC: Australian Company Number (ACN) (opens in a new tab)).
- Get the ABN. You need the ACN before you can get the ABN and tax registrations (ATO: Business or company registrations (opens in a new tab)). The ABR asks companies for their ACN when they apply (ABR: What you need for your ABN application (opens in a new tab)). It's free: how to get an ABN.
- Register a business name if you need one. Only if the company will trade under a name other than its own (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). Check that a name is available.
- Keep up with ASIC. ASIC sends an annual statement, usually soon after the anniversary of registration. The company must pay the annual review fee and check and update its details. It must also pass a solvency resolution, unless it has lodged a financial report with ASIC in the past 12 months. Late fees apply if the company misses a deadline (ASIC: Company annual review (opens in a new tab)).
Once the company has its ABN, check that it appears on ABN Lookup. Type the new ACN, or the company name:
Questions people ask
How much does an ACN cost?
ASIC issues the ACN when it registers your company, and the fee is for registering the company. As listed on 30 September 2026, it is $636 if the company has a share capital and $524 if it doesn't (ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab)). ASIC indexes certain fees each 1 July, so check its fee page before you pay.
How long does it take to get an ACN?
business.gov.au says it takes around 15 minutes to register a company on the Business Registration Service, and you should get confirmation in 2 business days if you've provided all the documents and paid the fee. If you register through a private service provider, such as your accountant or lawyer, check the timeframe with them (business.gov.au: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
Can I get an ACN without registering a company?
No. "ASIC issues every company with an ACN when it is registered" (ASIC: Australian Company Number (ACN) (opens in a new tab)). The ACN identifies a company, so it comes with the registration.
Can a sole trader or partnership get an ACN?
Not as a sole trader or partnership. ASIC says sole traders, partnerships and trusts do not need to register as a company (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)), so there is no ACN to get. You can have an ABN instead if you're carrying on an enterprise: see how to get an ABN, and ABN vs ACN for the difference.
Do I need an ABN as well as an ACN?
Not always, but most companies have both (ASIC: Australian Company Number (ACN) (opens in a new tab)). The ATO says you need the ACN before you can get the ABN and tax registrations (ATO: Business or company registrations (opens in a new tab)). An ABN through the Australian Business Register is free (business.gov.au: Register for an Australian Business Number (opens in a new tab)).
Can I register a company without choosing a name?
Yes. If you don't choose a name, the ACN ASIC gives you will be the company name, along with the legal status of the company. For example, "ACN 123 456 789 Pty Ltd" (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)).
Do I need to live in Australia to register a company?
The rule is about a company's directors. A proprietary company must have at least one director who normally lives in Australia. A public company must have at least 3 directors, and at least 2 of them must normally live in Australia (ASIC: Company officeholders (directors and secretaries) (opens in a new tab)).
Where do I find my ACN after I register?
In the confirmation email from the Business Registration Service, which includes the ACN and a certificate of registration (ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab)). Once the company has an ABN too, you can use the ACN lookup to see its record.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from the official pages listed here. Each was read on the date shown, and the Updated date at the top is when this page was last checked against them.
- ASIC: Register a company (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- ASIC: Company officeholders (directors and secretaries) (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- ASIC: Schedules of corporations fees (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026, fees from 1 July 2026.
- ASIC: Company annual review (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- ASIC: Australian Company Number (ACN) (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- ASIC: How to register a business name with ASIC (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- ASIC: Schedules of business names fees (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- business.gov.au: Register a company (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- business.gov.au: Register for an Australian Business Number (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026.
- ATO: Business or company registrations (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026, page updated 13 November 2024, QC31785.
- ABR: What you need for your ABN application (opens in a new tab) Read 30 September 2026, page updated 14 November 2022.