Check whether a company is active

    Check if a Australia company is active

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Australia

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    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: ABR

    How do I check whether a company is still active in Australia?

    Identify the exact company in ABR, then record its status, source and retrieval date. Active registration does not prove current trading or financial health. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution; interpret each status using the official register's terminology.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the company

      Search by name or registration number to open the correct record.

    2. 2

      Read the status field

      Preserve the exact status wording and its effective date where supplied. Consult the official explanation; a non-active label is not by itself a fraud verdict or a complete legal opinion.

    3. 3

      Check the available filing dates

      Distinguish the document date, status effective date and retrieval date. Filing schedules vary by entity and jurisdiction, so a gap is a question to investigate rather than proof of non-compliance.

    4. 4

      Confirm at the source

      Status changes propagate from ABR at https://abr.business.gov.au. For a decision with money attached, confirm there.

      https://abr.business.gov.au
    Open ABRAll Australia records

    Australia: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Use ABN Lookup for ABN status, entity name and GST information. Use ASIC for company and business-name registrations and company extracts. These services answer different questions; an ABN entry is not a company extract.
    Confirm the entity
    An ABN has 11 digits; an ACN has nine. Compare the legal entity name rather than just a business name. ABNs can identify sole traders and other non-company entities, so do not assume every result has directors.

    Check current access and document options on the official ASIC / Australian Business Register site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Australia registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I know if a Australia company is still trading?

    The register's status field is the authoritative answer. An active/registered status on ABR means the entity is currently on the register. It does not by itself prove the business is operating, so also check the most recent filing date.

    What does "dissolved" or "struck off" mean?

    These labels generally indicate a registration has ended or been removed. Check the source's explanation and any subsequent reinstatement or successor filings. Contract validity and legal consequences require separate advice; they cannot be decided from this field alone.

    Is checking company status in Australia free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free. Check ABR's current access terms for status information or official documents; fees and account requirements vary.

    What is an ABN?

    An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit unique identifier issued to all entities registered in the Australian Business Register. It's used for tax, GST, and business-to-business transactions. You can search for any ABN for free at abr.business.gov.au.

    People also ask about check whether a company is still active in Australia

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Australia company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the ASIC / Australian Business Register are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Australia business registry?

    The ASIC / Australian Business Register is the official public register of companies incorporated in Australia. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://abr.business.gov.au.

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