Leslie Massey
There are several ways to find information about companies in Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent commission of the Australian Government that regulates company and financial services and enforces laws to protect Australian consumers, investors, and creditors. ASIC provides a database of registered companies in Australia, and company searches can be conducted by entering the company's name, Australian Company Number (ACN), or Australian Business Number (ABN) into the search bar. ASIC also provides access to company annual review statements, regulatory statements, documents, and transactions through its Regulatory Portal. The ASIC website also includes a National Names Index, which lists financial documents lodged by publicly listed and large private Australian companies since 1 January 1991. Additionally, ASIC provides information on auditor and authorised audit company registration, as well as liquidator details and external administration documents. Other sources for company information include the State Library of New South Wales, which offers books on business rankings and company information, telephone directories, and online resources such as Factiva and Austrade's Australian Suppliers Directory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company information sources | ASIC database, Factiva, State Library of New South Wales, ABN Lookup, ASIC Business Search |
| Company information available | Company overviews, director and executive profiles, corporate structures and shareholdings, financial information, professional services relationships, news and analysis, stock price, trading status, key personnel, contact details, website address, court actions, payment defaults, credit score, historical document lodgings, etc. |
| Company search parameters | Company name, ACN, ABN |
| Company registration | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Business Register |
| Company licences and registrations | Australian financial services (AFS) licence, credit licence, auditor registration, SMSF auditor registration |
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What You'll Learn
Company credit reports
A company credit report provides insights into the riskiness of a company, helping you decide whether to do business with them. It includes a credit score, which is an indicator of creditworthiness, as well as details like ABN/ACN, shareholders, registered address, and date of incorporation.
In Australia, Equifax is the leading provider of credit information and analysis. They offer the SwiftCheck Company Credit Report, which combines ASIC records with information from their commercial credit bureau. This report is well-suited for low-risk business decisions and can be generated instantly. It includes the company credit score, ASIC-registered company information, and company credit information, such as defaults, court judgments, and external administration.
The SwiftCheck Company & Director Credit Report is another option that helps assess the risks associated with a company and the individuals behind it. For a more comprehensive view, the SwiftCheck Company & Director + PPSR Credit Report includes both company and director information, as well as any security interests in the business.
You can also check your business credit score for free through OnDeck Australia's Know Your Score service if your company has an ASIC-registered business name. This service uses commercial indicators, such as registered defaults, potential loan inquiries, and external administrations, to calculate a business Equifax Score.
It is important to regularly review your business credit reports for accuracy and dispute any errors to maintain a correct credit history. Additionally, keeping your business and personal finances separate can help to avoid any negative impact on your credit scores.
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ASIC registers
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) provides a range of online services and registers that allow users to search for company and organisation information. ASIC Connect is a platform that allows users to search for and lodge information about companies, registered agents, auditors, liquidators, AFS licensees, credit licensees, and short sellers.
ASIC's website also provides a range of registers that can be searched, including a register of prosecutions undertaken by ASIC against companies and directors, a register of unlicensed carried-over instrument lenders, and a register of enforceable undertakings. ASIC's searchable registers also include a 'Banned and Disqualified' search, which details any bannings or disqualifications handed down by ASIC, and the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) Register of Disqualified Officers.
ASIC's online services also include portals for registered agents, auditors, and liquidators, where users can lodge regulatory statements, documents, and transactions, as well as update client and agent details. Additionally, ASIC provides information and steps on how to apply for an Australian financial services (AFS) licence, as well as how to register a managed investment scheme using the eLicensing system.
ASIC's searchable registers provide a wealth of information on companies and organisations, with the ability to purchase extracts containing current and historical data. ASIC Connect also allows users to search for business names, SMSF auditors, credit licensees, and liquidators, providing a comprehensive tool for accessing company information in Australia.
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Australian Business Register
The Australian Business Register (ABR) is a free public register that provides information on businesses that have registered for an Australian Business Number (ABN). ABN Lookup is the name of the tool that allows the public to access this information.
The ABR is an important resource for government agencies, which use the information to target and provide essential community services. Businesses are required to update their ABN details within 28 days of any changes or cessation of operations. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the ABN.
The ABR provides the following information:
- Unique identification numbers (ABN, ACN, ARBN, ARSN)
- Company and business name search summaries with ABNs linked to the ABR
- Any professional licences or registrations (e.g. an Australian financial services licence or credit licence)
In addition to the ABR, businesses in Australia may also need to register with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and apply for relevant licences and permits via the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS).
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Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent commission of the Australian Government. ASIC was established on 1 July 1998 and is responsible for regulating companies and financial services, as well as enforcing laws to protect Australian consumers, investors, and creditors.
ASIC maintains registers of Australia's company and business names, which can be searched online. The types of organisations that can be searched include companies, registered bodies, foreign companies, associations, managed investment schemes, and non-registered entities. The information available includes current and historical data about the organisation, such as past addresses, previous directors, and former names, as well as the organisation's unique identification number, type of company or organisation, registration date, and any professional licences or registrations.
ASIC provides a range of online services for companies and organisations, including the ability to download annual review statements, lodge regulatory statements, documents, and transactions, and update client and agent details. ASIC also provides information on how to apply for Australian financial services (AFS) licences and register managed investment schemes.
ASIC's consumer website, MoneySmart, provides free, independent, and unbiased information, tools, and resources to help people make informed financial decisions. The website offers assistance in areas such as superannuation, insurance, and deposit-taking, with the aim of empowering consumers to protect their financial interests.
ASIC has faced criticism in recent years for its perceived inaction and inefficiencies in protecting consumers from large financial institutions. There have been questions about its timeliness in taking action against banks involved in the rigging of Australian benchmark interest rates. Despite this, ASIC remains a key source of company information in Australia, offering transparency and accountability in the corporate sector.
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Company books and directories
Australian Business Directory
The Australian Business Directory is an online platform that allows users to search for businesses by category and location. It provides essential details such as the business name, address, contact number, photos, and a brief description of the company. This directory is linked to Google Maps, offering step-by-step directions to the business location. The Australian Business Directory also includes a review section where users can share their experiences with a particular company, influencing buyer behaviour.
Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages is a well-known Australian business directory that has transitioned from physical books to an online platform. It serves as a comprehensive database of businesses across Australia, providing contact details and essential information to users.
Australian White Pages
Similar to Yellow Pages, Australian White Pages has shifted from physical books to an online presence. It is another widely recognised source for finding company information in Australia.
ABN Lookup
The ABN Lookup is an online tool that allows users to search for a company's ABN (Australian Business Number) details. It is essential for businesses to keep their ABN information up-to-date, as various government agencies rely on this data to provide community services.
ASIC Connect
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) offers ASIC Connect, an online platform that provides company information. This includes unique identification numbers, company and business name search summaries, and details about professional licences or registrations.
These sources offer a wealth of information about companies in Australia, making them valuable tools for research, customer engagement, and regulatory compliance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent commission of the Australian Government that serves as the national corporate regulator. ASIC's role is to regulate company and financial services and enforce laws to protect Australian consumers, investors, and creditors. ASIC provides a database of registered companies in Australia, allowing users to search for company information by entering the company's name, Australian Company Number (ACN), or Australian Business Number (ABN).
ASIC provides access to various company information, including company annual review statements, regulatory statements, documents, and transactions lodged in the Regulatory portal. ASIC also offers details on unique identification numbers (ABN, ACN, ARBN, ARSN), company and business name search summaries, professional licenses or registrations, and financial statements for Significant Global Entities (SGEs).
You can use resources such as Factiva, which provides company news, stock information, and industry profiles. Additionally, the State Library of New South Wales offers a range of resources, including telephone and business directories, books on business rankings, and company information.
Yes, it is important to conduct due diligence before transacting with a company. You can access a Company Credit Report, which includes information on court actions, payment defaults, mercantile enquiries, credit score, and historical document lodgings with ASIC. This can help identify potential issues such as illegal phoenixing, where a company is deliberately liquidated to avoid paying debts.
You can find information on director and executive profiles, corporate structures, shareholdings, and ownership by using resources such as IBISWorld, which provides industry research reports, and the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), which offers full-text company records, stock prices, trading status, key personnel details, and website addresses.
