- ASIC late fees apply automatically once a deadline is missed
If a company pays the annual review fee late or lodges documents after the required deadline, ASIC adds late fees automatically on top of the original obligation. - Late fees range from $98 to $411 in 2026
For the 2026-27 financial year, ASIC charges $98 for payments or lodgements up to one month late and $411 if more than one month late. - Prevention is easier than fixing penalties
Tracking your annual review date, keeping ASIC contact details updated, and lodging company changes within 28 days can help businesses avoid unnecessary penalties.
ASIC late fees can quickly add unnecessary costs if company compliance deadlines are missed. Many businesses only realise something is wrong after receiving an ASIC penalty notice.
In this guide, we explain:
- What ASIC late fees are
- Why they happen
- How much they cost in 2026
- How to avoid them
If managing ASIC obligations feels overwhelming, working with a registered ASIC agent can help ensure deadlines, annual reviews, and filings are handled correctly.
Your company’s review date is usually the anniversary of its registration. Setting reminders a few weeks in advance gives you time to review company details, pass the solvency resolution, and pay the annual review fee before late fees apply.
What are ASIC late fees?
ASIC late fees are penalties charged by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) when a company pays required fees late or lodges company documents after the legal deadline. These penalties are added on top of the original fee and apply automatically once the due date passes.
There are two main types of ASIC late fees businesses should understand:
- ASIC late payment fees: This is the most common one. It usually happens when you don’t pay your company’s annual review fee on time. Your annual review fee comes with your company annual statement each year.
- Late lodgement fees: This type of ASIC late fee occurs if you don’t tell ASIC about important company changes within the set time frame, usually 28 days after the change happens. Common examples include; not notifying ASIC about a:
- New company address
- Change in directors,
- Adjustments to your company’s share structure.
Missed an ASIC deadline and unsure what to do next?
Why do ASIC late fees catch so many businesses out?
Often, it comes down to a few common slip-ups:
1. Missing the annual statement deadline
ASIC sends your company annual statement each year (usually around the anniversary of your company registration).
- You have two months from your company’s annual review date to pay the annual review fee.
- Miss that two-month window, and ASIC late payment fees start kicking in.
This is the number one reason businesses get hit with late fees.
2. Forgetting the 28-day rule for changes
When things change in your company (like an address or director), you only have 28 days to lodge the update with ASIC. It’s easy to let this slide when you’re busy running your business, leading to a late lodgement fee.
3. Outdated contact details
If your contact details (email, registered office address) aren’t up-to-date with ASIC, you might simply miss the annual statement or other important notices. You’re still liable for the fees even if you didn’t receive the mail.
Understanding these triggers is the first step towards avoiding those ASIC penalty fees.
Many ASIC late fees happen not because companies refuse to comply, but because deadlines are overlooked or notices are missed. Businesses that implement a simple compliance process or work with an ASIC agent significantly reduce the risk of penalties.
How much are ASIC late fees in 2026?
ASIC late fees in 2026 range from $98 to $411 depending on how late a payment or lodgement is. ASIC applies these penalties automatically when a company pays required fees late or lodges documents after the deadline.
ASIC may adjust its fees periodically, often in line with CPI indexation. The amounts below reflect the current ASIC late fees for this financial year.
ASIC late fees (Valid until June 30, 2026)
Lateness | Fee |
Lodgement or payment up to 1 month late | $98 |
Lodgement or payment over 1 month late | $411 |
These apply to both:
late payment of the annual review fee, and
late lodgement of required company documents/changes (e.g., director details etc.)
ASIC confirms the due date for the annual review fee is 2 months after your review date; details must be updated within 28 days to avoid late lodgement fees.
Need help avoiding ASIC late fees?
How to avoid ASIC late fees
Avoiding ASIC late fees mostly comes down to organisation and keeping your company details up to date. A few simple habits can save you hundreds of dollars each year.
What to do | Why it matters |
Keep your ASIC contact details up to date | ASIC sends annual statements to the email and address on its register. If these details are outdated, you may miss the notice but the fee is still due. |
Know your annual review date | The review date is usually the anniversary of your company’s registration. Knowing it helps you plan ahead and avoid last-minute payments. |
Act as soon as the annual statement arrives | Reviewing details, passing the solvency resolution, and paying early reduces the risk of missing the deadline. |
Assign responsibility internally | When it’s clear who handles ASIC compliance, tasks are less likely to be overlooked in growing teams. |
Use a compliance partner | Outsourcing ongoing ASIC obligations helps ensure deadlines are met and records stay accurate year after year. |
Staying on top of the annual review process keeps your company in good standing and helps you avoid unnecessary penalties.
Got an ASIC late fee? Here’s what to do next
If you’ve received an ASIC late fee notice, the most important thing is to deal with it quickly. Late fees don’t disappear on their own, and delaying action can create further compliance issues for your company.
Here’s what to do.
1. Check the notice from ASIC
Locate the ASIC invoice or notice and review the details carefully. It will confirm:
why the late fee was issued (late payment or late lodgement)
the total amount payable
the due date for payment
your Payment Reference Number (PRN)
You’ll need the PRN to complete the payment.
2. Confirm the total amount owing
ASIC notices often include both the original fee and the late fee. For example, an unpaid annual review fee may appear together with the late penalty. Make sure you understand the full amount outstanding before paying.
3. Pay the outstanding amount as soon as possible
Once you confirm the invoice, arrange payment promptly to avoid further compliance complications.
Common ASIC payment methods include:
BPAY using the biller code and PRN
Credit card via the ASIC website or Post Billpay
Post Billpay at Australia Post
4. Prevent it from happening again
Many companies receive ASIC late fees simply because deadlines are missed or notices are overlooked.
Working with a registered ASIC agent can help ensure your annual reviews, company updates, and compliance deadlines are managed properly so penalties don’t happen in the first place.
Can ASIC late fees be waived?
If you’ve been charged ASIC late fees, you may wonder if the penalty can be removed. In most cases, the answer is no. ASIC only considers waiving late fees in limited circumstances where the company was genuinely unable to comply due to events beyond its control.
When ASIC may consider a waiver
ASIC may consider waiving late fees if the delay occurred because of exceptional circumstances that prevented the company from meeting its obligations. Examples may include:
An error or processing delay caused by ASIC
Court delays that prevented documents from being lodged
Major natural disasters such as fire or floods that destroyed records or prevented access to them
Severe illness or death of a sole director that made it impossible to manage company obligations
A confirmed cyberattack or system failure that disrupted the company’s ability to lodge documents or make payments
When ASIC usually will not waive late fees
ASIC will generally not waive late fees where the delay was due to normal business or administrative issues, such as:
Forgetting a deadline or administrative oversight
Not receiving the notice because company contact details were outdated
Lack of funds to pay the fee
Staff shortages, leave, or internal process issues
Being busy, travelling, or managing other priorities
Because waivers are granted only in exceptional cases, the safest approach is to ensure ASIC deadlines are tracked and managed carefully each year.
ASIC late fees apply even if you didn’t receive the notice. Companies are responsible for keeping their contact details updated and meeting compliance deadlines, regardless of whether the annual statement email or letter was seen.
How Sleek helps you stay ASIC-compliant
Sleek helps Australian companies stay on top of their ASIC compliance obligations by managing the admin, reminders, and key filings so deadlines aren’t missed and unnecessary late fees are avoided.
- End-to-end annual review compliance:
We manage your ASIC annual review end to end, tracking key dates, reviewing your annual statement, updating company details, supporting solvency resolutions, and helping ensure fees are paid on time. - All-in-one business support
Beyond ASIC compliance, Sleek supports your business with accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax, so your core financial and regulatory obligations are managed in one place. - Clear, transparent pricing
Straightforward services with predictable pricing and no unexpected or hidden costs.
Whether you’re running a single company or managing multiple entities, Sleek keeps your ASIC obligations organised, so you can focus on growing your business instead of worrying about compliance deadlines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much are ASIC late fees in 2026?
For this financial year, ASIC late fees are:
$98 if a payment or lodgement is up to 1 month late
$411 if it is more than 1 month late
These fees apply automatically once the deadline has passed.
How can I avoid ASIC late fees?
You can avoid ASIC late fees by:
- Tracking your company’s review date
- Paying annual review fees on time, and
- Lodging company updates within required deadlines.
Many businesses also work with a registered ASIC agent to manage compliance reminders and filings.
Can a registered ASIC agent help avoid late fees?
Yes. A registered ASIC agent can track your compliance deadlines, manage annual reviews, and lodge company updates on your behalf. This reduces the risk of missing deadlines and helps keep your company compliant with ASIC requirements.
