Business Registration
Company Registration
Prepare for company registration by checking directors, shareholders, addresses, share structure, and governance records.
Overview
Company Registration explained
Company registration is the process of forming a Pty Ltd company with ASIC, which issues an ACN and brings the company into existence as its own legal entity. The lodgement is straightforward once the details and consents behind it are in order.
Before you register, you settle the people and the structure: who the directors and shareholders are, how shares are divided, what addresses you will use, and the governance records the company must keep from day one.
Cockatoo helps you gather everything company registration calls for, so the entity starts on a clean footing with accurate records.
What to check
Key points
- Registration with ASIC creates the company and assigns its unique ACN.
- Each director and shareholder must consent and provide their details.
- The share structure sets out who owns what and how control is shared.
- You need a registered office and a principal place of business.
Before you start
What you'll need
- A proposed company name, or willingness to use the ACN as the name.
- Director details, consents to act, and director identification numbers.
- Shareholder (member) details and how shares are allocated.
- A registered office address and a principal place of business.
- Your chosen share structure, including classes and number of shares.
- Governance basics such as how the company will be internally managed.
Process
How it works
- Check your proposed company name is available and meets ASIC rules.
- Confirm directors and shareholders, with consents and identification ready.
- Decide the share structure and allocate shares to each member.
- Set the registered office and principal place of business addresses.
- Lodge with ASIC, then store the ACN, certificate and governance records.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Lodging before each director has obtained a director identification number.
- Choosing a share structure that does not reflect intended ownership.
- Using an address that cannot reliably receive official ASIC documents.
- Neglecting governance records, which must exist from the company's first day.
Common questions
Company Registration FAQs
What details do I need for company registration?
You need a proposed name, director and shareholder details with their consents, director identification numbers, a registered office and principal place of business, and a planned share structure. Having these ready means the ASIC lodgement is quick and accurate.
What is a director identification number?
A director identification number is a unique identifier each director must obtain before being appointed. It verifies a director's identity and follows them across any companies they are involved with. Directors should apply for it before the company is registered.
How does the share structure work?
The share structure records who owns the company and in what proportion. You decide the number of shares, any share classes, and how they are allocated among members. This determines voting and dividend rights, so it is worth planning before you lodge.
What is the difference between a registered office and principal place of business?
The registered office is where ASIC sends official documents, and it must be a physical Australian address. The principal place of business is where the company actually operates. They can be the same address, but each serves a distinct legal purpose.
Related pages