Journalist search
Journalists are exempt from paying certain registry search fees.
Journalists may qualify for an exemption where they seek access to information for their professional work.
Search via the ASIC Journalist Portal now
Amendments to the fees chargeable for ASIC searches under regulations means that journalists can access some information for free. However, the fee exemptions do not apply to all search information.
For more information about the legislative changes, visit the Treasury website.
How to apply for journalist search access
Who is a journalist?
A journalist is a person who:
- works in a professional capacity for media organisations,
- is a freelance who regularly sells stories to media organisations, or
- publishes stories on a commercial basis.
A person who exclusively runs a social media platform, or regularly publishes stories in their own free time or as a hobby is not considered a journalist.
How do I apply?
You can apply for a journalist search exemption by completing and emailing an Application for journalist search access.
Completed applications should be completed and emailed to journalist.apply@asic.gov.au.
What happens after I apply?
Once we have processed your application, you will be sent your search exemption code, journalist portal username and password by email. This information allows you to:
- log in to the ASIC journalist portal, and
- complete searches on our business name and company registers.
What search products can I access?
Approved journalists have access to a range of search products across ASIC's registers.
Amendments to the fees chargeable for ASIC searches under regulations means that journalists can access some information for free.
The journalist search exemption is an extension of the current media exemption.
What channels can I use to access search products?
ASIC Journalist Portal
The ASIC Journalist Portal is a dedicated search service for approved journalists who are exempt from paying certain registry search fees.
Information brokers
When searching ASIC's registers, you can choose to search directly through us, or through an ASIC approved information broker.
Information brokers have direct access to our registers and offer a variety of services that may suit your needs.
Information brokers may charge an additional amount on top of what the law requires.
Request search via email
You can submit a request to us directly using the Journalist search request for information. This form should also be used for requesting documents.
ASIC Connect
Through our ASIC Connect search service, you can search a range of free information contained on our registers.
What search products are available?
Business Names
|
Search Product |
Journalist Portal |
Email Request |
Information Broker |
|
Current Extract |
ü |
|
ü |
|
Current and Historical Extract |
ü |
|
ü |
|
Current Holder Extract (organisation/person) |
|
ü |
ü |
|
Current and Historical Holder Extract (organisation/person) |
|
ü |
ü |
Companies
|
Search Product |
Journalist Portal |
Email Request |
Information Broker |
|
Current Extract |
ü |
ü |
|
|
Current and Historical Extract |
|
ü |
ü |
|
Document in relation to a corporation, scheme or fund |
|
ü |
ü |
|
Satisfied Charges extract (prior 2012) |
ü |
ü |
|
|
Roles and Relationships Extract |
ü |
ü |
|
|
Person Search |
ü |
ü |
Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL)
|
Search Product |
Journalist Portal |
Email Request |
Information Broker |
|
Current Extract (Financial Services) |
ü |
||
|
Current and Historical Extract (Financial Services) |
ü |
Australian Credit Licence
|
Search Product |
Journalist Portal |
Email Request |
Information Broker |
|
Current Extract |
ü |
||
|
Current and Historical Extract |
ü |
Professional Registers
|
Search Product |
Journalist Portal |
Email Request |
Information Broker |
|
Current Extract |
ü |
SMSF Auditor
|
Search Product |
Journalist Portal |
Email Request |
Information Broker |
|
Current and Historical Extract of approved SMSF auditor |
ü |
What if the information I need is not available online?
If you need information from our registers that is not available from the journalist portal, or not freely available from our search portal ASIC Connect, we suggest you approach one of the ASIC-approved Information brokers to access the information.
Information brokers may charge an additional amount on top of what the law requires.
Alternatively, you may submit a request to us directly using the Journalist search request for information.
Support for journalist search
Our user guides provide step-by-step instructions for completing searches in the Journalist Portal.
We provide two options for following our user guides:
- PDF documents with screenshots
- HTML text of the PDF documents
Search via the ASIC journalist portal
Reading your company and business name extracts
Basic troubleshooting
The journalist portal uses cookies, which are small pieces of information exchanged between your web browser and a website server.
From time to time, you may encounter log in errors that aren’t related to incorrect log in details. You should try logging in from a different Internet browser when this happens.
To optimise your log in experience, we recommend clearing your cache and cookies regularly.
We also suggest avoiding things like using your Internet browser to save your log in credentials, or copying and pasting your password. Typing your password directly into the password field is the best option.
If problems persist, please email journalist.apply@asic.gov.au to have your password reset.
Related links
- ASIC journalist portal terms and conditions (PDF 127 KB)
- For more information about the legislative changes, visit the Treasury website