Verify company registration

    How to check if a company is registered in Australia

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

    Search Company Records in Australia

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

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

    How do I check if a company is registered in Australia?

    To check if a company is registered in Australia, search its exact registration number or legal name on ABR (https://abr.business.gov.au). Compare the identifier and available identity fields before reading the recorded status. A name-only match is a candidate, not confirmation. Official access requirements and document fees vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Open the official ABR

      Go to https://abr.business.gov.au. This is the primary government-operated source.

      https://abr.business.gov.au
    2. 2

      Search by name or number

      Use the legal name or identifier supported by ABR. Trading-name and partial-name searches are not universal.

    3. 3

      Check status and legal name

      Compare the exact identifier and legal name. Preserve the source's status wording: historical and dissolved entities can still have registry records.

    4. 4

      Cross-check the registered address

      Compare the available registered address with the counterparty's documents. A registered office can differ legitimately from a trading address; clarify the difference rather than treating it as evidence of misconduct.

    5. 5

      Download the official extract (optional)

      Most registers let you download a formal extract or certificate. Use this for KYC, procurement, or contract files.

    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 check if a company is registered in Australia?

    Search the exact registration number on ABR at https://abr.business.gov.au, then compare the legal name and available identity details. Read the status and its date in the source's own terminology. Name similarity alone does not confirm the entity.

    How can I check if a Australia company is still active?

    Read the status on the exact entity's ABR record, preserving its wording and retrieval date. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution: an entity can remain registered while undergoing liquidation. A registry status is not a solvency or trustworthiness assessment.

    Is a Australia company with a website automatically registered?

    No. A website, email domain or invoice letterhead proves nothing. The only authoritative proof is a current entry in ABR with a matching legal name and registration number.

    What proves a Australia company is legally registered?

    An entry in ABR with an "active" or equivalent status is the definitive proof. The registration number returned by ABR is the authoritative identifier.

    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 if a company is registered 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.

    How can I check if a Australia company is legitimate?

    Look the company up on the ASIC / Australian Business Register. If the entity returns an "active" (or equivalent local status) result, matches the registered address on its invoices, and its listed directors match who is signing your contract, it is a real registered entity. Anything reported as "dissolved", "struck off" or "in liquidation" should be treated with caution.

    What information can I get about a Australia company for free?

    Free public data from the ASIC / Australian Business Register typically includes: legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, current status, business type, and current directors / officers. Historical filings and certified copies may carry a small fee.

    Related guides and tools

    More Australia guides

    Australia data