Changing your company name with ASIC requires a special resolution, Form 205 lodgement, and ASIC approval, it’s not just a simple update
The application must be lodged within 14 days of passing the resolution, and errors can lead to rejection or rework
Your legal entity stays the same, but you must update your new name across ABN, GST, bank accounts, and business records
ASIC change company name isn’t just a quick update; it’s a legal process with strict requirements, deadlines, and costs. Get it wrong, and you could face delays, rejections, or additional fees.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to change your company name with ASIC, including the steps, legal requirements, and what you need to prepare before you apply.
By the end, you’ll know how to complete the process correctly the first time, avoid common mistakes, and how a registered ASIC agent can help you.
Before lodging Form 205, double-check name availability and restrictions, most delays happen at this stage, not during submission.
When do you need to change your company name with ASIC?
You’ll need to change your company name with ASIC when your current registered name no longer reflects your business or needs to be updated legally.
Common situations include:
- Rebranding your business
- Changing ownership or business direction
- Aligning your company name with a new brand or trading name
- Resolving legal or trademark conflicts
Regardless of the reason, the process must follow ASIC’s formal requirements, including passing a special resolution and lodging the change correctly.
What you need before changing your company name with ASIC
Before you start the ASIC change company name process, make sure you have these key requirements in place.
- A special resolution approved
- An available company name
- Correct timing for lodgement
- ASIC Connect access and details ready
How to change company name with ASIC
Changing your company name after registration is done through ASIC Connect, using your company’s Corporate Key. This gives authorised officeholders access to manage company updates, including a name change.
You can complete the process by following these steps:
- register for online access using your ASIC Corporate Key
- log in to ASIC Connect
- select “Start new form” and choose Form 205
Changing your company name isn’t just a form submission. You’ll need to complete a few key steps before lodging Form 205, including passing a special resolution and confirming your new name is available. The process also involves an ASIC fee.
The steps below walk you through exactly what needs to be done before and during lodgement to ensure your application is accepted the first time.
Step 1: Choose your new company name
Choosing your new company name is similar to how you selected your original name. This means:
- the name must be available on ASIC’s register ( Use Sleek’s business name checker tool)
- it must not be identical or too similar to an existing company
- certain words and expressions may be restricted or require approval
- existing trademarks may impact whether you can use the name
- the name must not imply a connection to government or regulated bodies without permission
If you’re not ready to proceed immediately, you can also reserve a company name with ASIC for two months before lodging your application.
Read more: How to Choose a Business Name in Australia (Examples and Pitfalls to Avoid)
Step 2: Pass a special resolution to approve the name change
Once you’ve selected your new name and confirmed it’s available, the company must formally approve the change.
This is done through a special resolution, which typically requires at least 75% of shareholder approval.
To pass the resolution, you will usually:
- give notice of a company meeting (including the intention to vote on the name change)
- hold a meeting or circulate a written resolution
- ensure at least 75% of votes are in favour of the proposed change
The resolution must be properly recorded and kept with your company records, as it forms the basis for lodging the change with ASIC.
Step 3: Lodge a notification of resolution
This is the application stage where you formally submit the company name change to ASIC.
To lodge the change, you’ll need to login to ASIC Connect and:
- submit a Notification of resolution (Form 205) to ASIC
- attach a copy of the approved special resolution
- ensure all details, especially the new name are accurate
- pay the required ASIC fee
The company must lodge the form within 14 days of passing the special resolution. Late lodgement may result in additional fees.
It’s important to get this step right, once the name is registered, it cannot be corrected. If there are errors, you may need to pass a new resolution and repeat the process.
Step 4: ASIC approves or rejects your application
Once your application is submitted, ASIC will review the details and either approve or reject the name change.
- If approved, you’ll receive a new certificate of registration confirming the updated company name
- If rejected, ASIC will notify you and provide the reason (commonly due to name availability issues or errors in the application)
The name change only becomes effective once ASIC has approved it.
Even though the ASIC process is straightforward, most issues arise when internal approvals (like shareholder resolutions) aren’t handled properly, not during the actual lodgement.
What happens after you submit your ASIC change company name application
Once you’ve lodged your application, ASIC will review it and notify you of the outcome.
- If approved: ASIC will issue a new certificate of registration confirming your updated company name. If you applied online, this will be sent to your ASIC online services inbox. If you lodged by mail, it will be sent to your registered office address.
- If rejected: ASIC will notify you of the reason for rejection. In most cases, you can correct the issue and reapply. The fee you’ve already paid may be reused, or you can request a refund.
Your company name only changes once ASIC has approved the application and issued the updated certificate.
What you need to update after a company name change
Once ASIC approves your company name change, your legal entity remains the same, but your new name must be updated across all business records.
Make sure you update:
- ATO and tax registrations (ABN, GST, PAYG): Ensure your new name is reflected across all tax accounts and registrations
- Bank accounts and financing: Update your company name with your bank, loans, and credit facilities
- Contracts and tax invoices: Revise agreements, invoices, and legal documents to reflect the new name
- Business licences and registrations: Update any state or industry-specific licences and permits
- Website, email, and branding: Reflect your new name across your website, email signatures, and marketing assets
Updating these promptly helps avoid confusion, ensures compliance, and keeps your business running smoothly.
If you miss the 14-day lodgement window after passing the resolution, late fees can apply, even if everything else is correct, timing matters just as much as accuracy.
Need help changing your company name with ASIC? Here’s how Sleek can help
Changing your company name isn’t just about lodging Form 205, it involves passing the right resolution, meeting ASIC deadlines, and updating your ABN, GST registration, tax records, bank details, and contracts.
Sleek helps you manage the entire process correctly, so you don’t run into delays, rejections, or compliance issues later.
- End-to-end support: Sleek’s ASIC registered agents manage everything from resolutions and lodgements to updating ABN, GST, and key registrations
- Compliance handled properly: Ensure your company name change meets all ASIC and ATO requirements
- Avoid delays and rework: Get your application right the first time without having to redo approvals or resubmit forms
- All-in-one business support: Ongoing help with ASIC compliance, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax in one place
Whether you’re rebranding or restructuring, Sleek ensures your company name change is handled accurately and your business stays compliant.
Speak to a Sleek expert and get the ASIC company name change done right.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to change a company name with ASIC?
The ASIC fee to change a company name is currently $503 (as of 1 July 2025–30 June 2026).
- This fee is paid when lodging Form 205 (Notification of resolution)
- ASIC fees are not subject to GST
- Additional late fees may apply if you miss the 14-day lodgement deadline
If your application is rejected, you may be able to reuse the fee for a corrected application or request a refund, depending on the situation.
Read more: ASIC Late Fees 2026: Penalties, Deadlines & How to Avoid Them
Do I need to change my ABN when I change my company name?
No, your ABN and ACN stay the same, as the legal entity does not change.
However, you must update your new company name across:
- ABN registration details
- GST and PAYG accounts
- tax invoices and ATO records
If you want to better understand how ABN and ACN work, you can explore our guides on:
Should I change my company name myself or use an ASIC registered agent?
You can do it yourself, but many businesses use an ASIC registered agent to:
- ensure the resolution and lodgement are done correctly
- avoid rejections or delays
- handle updates across ASIC and ATO records
This is especially useful if your company has multiple shareholders or complex approvals.
