Companies and organisations

This page contains:

• What information is available using the 'Organisations and business names' search?
• Purchasing an extract
• What details are available?
• Significant global entities
• Check name availability

What information is available using the 'Organisations and business names' search?

This search provides information about companies and organisations recorded on our registers.

The types of organisations you can search for includes:

• companies
• registered bodies
• foreign companies
• associations
• managed investment schemes
• non-registered entities.

Purchasing an extract

When you search for a company or organisation on our register, you can also purchase an extract that has current and/or historical information about the organisation. This can include:

• past addresses
• previous directors, or
• former names.

For more information about purchasing an extract and what information is available, visit Fees search.

Search for a company or organisation now

What details are available?

The information will change depending on the company or organisation you are searching for. The information we provide for free includes:

• company or organisation name
• unique identification number (ABN, ACN, ARBN, ARSN). Company and business name search summaries with ABNs link to the Australian Business Register.
• type of company or organisation
• registration date
• next review date
• location of registered office
• any professional licences or registrations (e.g. an Australian financial services licence or credit licence).

Full details on the information available is on ASIC Connect. 

Significant global entities

Significant Global Entities (SGEs) are companies that are required by law to lodge general purpose financial statements with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

For information about general purpose financial statements or SGEs, please contact SGE@ato.gov.au.

The statements will be passed on by the ATO to ASIC and then available for purchase from ASIC's Companies and Organisations register. 

General purpose financial statements will show on our register as the document type 'SGEF'. This can be found within the list of recently lodged documents, as shown below.

 

Check name availability

To see if your proposed company name is too similar to a name already held by ASIC, you can use 'Check name availability'.

You cannot register a company name that is identical to one that already exists.

Search the availability of a name now

When should I check if a name is available?

Complete your 'Check name availability' search before starting an application to register a company. You can't register a company name that is similar or identical to a name that is already held.

This search does not guarantee that the name will be available for registration. Before you lodge your application, see Steps to register a company.

Can I reserve a name?

You can reserve a company name for up to two months. For further information on reserving a name, see Steps to register a company.