How to get a company extract in Australia
Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.
Search Company Records in Australia
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How do I get an official company extract in Australia?
An official Australia company extract is issued by ABR at https://abr.business.gov.au. Free public search covers most verification needs; a paid certified company extract is normally only required for banking, tenders, court filings or notarised transactions.
Step-by-step
- 1
Confirm the entity first
Search by name or registration number and confirm you have the right legal entity before paying for anything.
- 2
Decide whether you need a certified copy
For internal due diligence, the free public record is usually sufficient. Certified extracts are for banks, tender submissions, courts and notaries.
- 3
Request the extract from ABR
Extracts are issued by the register itself at https://abr.business.gov.au. Third parties cannot issue a certified document.
https://abr.business.gov.au - 4
Check the issue date
Most counterparties require an extract issued within the last three months, so request it close to when you need to submit it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a paid extract to verify a Australia company?
Usually not. The free public record from ABR confirms legal name, registration number, status and registered address. A certified extract is only needed when a bank, court or tender explicitly requires one.
What does a Australia company extract contain?
Typically the legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, entity type and current status — the same core fields visible in the free record, but issued as an official document.
Can a third-party site issue an official extract?
No. Only ABR can issue a certified extract for Australia. Third-party tools help you find and monitor the record, not certify it.
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 get an official company extract 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.
Related guides and tools
More Australia guides
- Search companies by name
Find any registered company from a partial name — free, no signup.
- Search the company register
What the official register holds, and how to search it free.
- Search the business registry
Match a trading name to the registered legal entity behind it.
- Find the right entity
Tell apart several entities registered under near-identical names.
Australia data
- Australia company search
Search every ASIC / Australian Business Register record.
- ABR guide
Australian Business Register