- An ASIC registered agent lodges documents and deals with ASIC for your company
- The agent's address becomes your contact address, so annual statements go to them
- Directors stay responsible for compliance even after appointing an agent
- Appointing or changing an agent uses Form 362, with no ASIC fee
What does an ASIC registered agent do? They lodge documents with ASIC, receive your company’s official mail and deal with the regulator on your behalf, while you and your fellow directors stay legally responsible for the company. This guide covers what an agent handles day to day, what stays with directors and how an appointment works, so you can judge when it makes sense to use an ASIC registered agent service.
ASIC registered agent: what’s the short answer?
An ASIC registered agent is a person or business registered with ASIC that a company appoints to handle its dealings with the regulator. ASIC’s guide to using a registered agent for a company describes the role as someone you appoint to do certain tasks on your behalf, and every agent holds a registered agent number issued by ASIC.
In practice, an agent may:
- Register a new company with ASIC
- Lodge forms and change notices for an existing company
- Receive official ASIC notices, including the annual statement
- Communicate with ASIC on the company’s behalf
- Keep the company’s records up to date
- Help directors meet their compliance obligations
What changes can an agent lodge for your company?
Most of an agent’s ongoing work is lodging change notices when something about the company changes. ASIC generally expects these within 28 days of the change, and a late lodgement attracts a late fee.
- Appointing or removing directors and the company secretary
- Changing the registered office or principal place of business
- Issuing new shares or changing the share structure
- Updating member (shareholder) details
- Changing the company name
Agents lodge these through ASIC’s registered agent portal. If an officeholder lodges a change themselves, they use the company officeholder portal and need the ASIC corporate key to do it.
How does an agent handle the ASIC annual review?
Soon after the anniversary of your company’s registration, ASIC issues an annual statement listing the company’s current details, along with an invoice for the ASIC annual review fee. If you have a registered agent, ASIC sends the annual statement to the agent’s address first.
From there, the deadlines are the same whoever holds the paperwork:
- Check the details and lodge any corrections within 28 days of the annual review date
- Pay the review fee by the due date, usually 2 months after the review date
- Directors pass a solvency resolution within 2 months, unless the company lodged a financial report with ASIC in the past 12 months
The agent’s job is to flag the annual statement when it arrives, confirm the details with you, lodge any updates and remind directors about the solvency resolution. Because they track review dates for every company they act for, the statement is less likely to sit unopened.
Where does ASIC send mail once an agent is appointed?
When you appoint a registered agent, ASIC records the agent’s address as your company’s contact address on the companies register. That contact address is where ASIC sends the annual statement and other official correspondence, and the agent forwards anything that needs your action.
The contact address is separate from your registered office. Your company still needs a registered office address in Australia, which must be a physical street address (not a PO Box) and is visible on the public companies register. If you’d rather not list your home, a registered office address service covers that requirement.
What can’t an ASIC registered agent do?
An agent handles the administration, but the legal obligations stay with the company and its officeholders. ASIC is direct about this: even when notices go to your agent, it’s your responsibility as an officeholder to make sure the company meets its obligations.
An ASIC registered agent can’t:
- Take on the duties of a company director under the Corporations Act
- Make changes to your company without your instruction
- Pass resolutions, including the annual solvency resolution, which only directors can do
- Waive ASIC late fees when a lodgement or payment is missed
- Give legal or tax advice, unless they’re separately qualified to
The table below shows how the work usually splits.
| Task | ASIC registered agent | Directors |
|---|---|---|
| Change notices | Prepares and lodges them on your instruction | Approve the change and supply details on time |
| Annual statement | Receives it, checks it with you, lodges corrections | Confirm the company details are right |
| Annual review fee | Reminds you before the due date | The company pays it, plus any late fee |
| Solvency resolution | Reminds you and can prepare the paperwork | Pass the resolution within 2 months |
| Legal duties | None transfer to the agent | Remain fully responsible |
How is a registered agent appointed or changed?
Appointments run through Form 362, which a company uses to nominate or cease a registered agent. There’s no ASIC fee, and Form 362 can be lodged online through the company officeholder portal or the registered agent portal, or by post.
- To appoint an agent: lodge Form 362 with the agent’s registered agent number
- To switch agents: lodge Form 362 naming the new agent
- To end the arrangement: lodge Form 362 to cease the agent, or the agent lodges Form 361 to stop acting for the company
Once ASIC processes the form, the new agent’s address becomes the company’s contact address, and future correspondence goes there.
What makes someone an ASIC registered agent?
Registered agents apply to ASIC using Form RA01 and receive a registered agent number once approved. ASIC accepts applications from:
- Registered Australian companies
- Business name holders
- Sole traders over 18 who live in Australia and trade under their own name
Every applicant needs an ABN and a National Police Check no older than 12 months, and companies and business name holders must nominate a responsible person who lives in Australia. Agents also agree to ASIC’s terms, which include keeping their details current and lodging through ASIC’s online services.
Tip: before appointing anyone, ask for their registered agent number. You’ll need it for Form 362 anyway, and it confirms you’re dealing with an agent ASIC has approved.
How Sleek helps as your ASIC registered agent
Sleek is an ASIC registered agent, so we can lodge your change notices, receive your annual statement and keep your review dates on track as part of our ASIC compliance package. You still make the decisions as a director; we make sure the paperwork reaches ASIC on time.
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FAQs on what does an asic registered agent do
Is it mandatory to appoint an ASIC registered agent?
No. ASIC doesn’t require companies to use a registered agent, and you can use one for some lodgements while handling the rest yourself through the company officeholder portal.
What's the difference between an ASIC registered agent and a tax agent?
An ASIC registered agent deals with ASIC on company matters such as change notices and the annual review. A registered tax agent deals with the ATO on tax matters such as BAS and income tax returns, and must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. Some firms hold both registrations, but they’re separate roles.
Is a registered agent the same as a company secretary?
No. A company secretary is an officeholder of the company with duties under the Corporations Act, while a registered agent is an outside provider appointed to handle lodgements. Proprietary companies don’t have to appoint a company secretary, but if they do, that person is recorded on the company’s ASIC record.
Does an ASIC registered agent replace the need for a resident director?
No. A proprietary company must have at least one director who ordinarily lives in Australia, and an agent isn’t a director. Founders based overseas often use both: an agent for ASIC administration and a local resident director to meet the residency rule.
