Official form guide
Form 201: Application for registration as an Australian company
Form 201 is the ASIC Application for registration as an Australian company. Use it when you are setting up a new company and need it officially recorded on the Australian Register of Companies.
Need help with Form 201?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Form 201 - Application for registration as an Australian company
Form 201 is the ASIC Application for registration as an Australian company. Use it when you are setting up a new company and need it officially recorded on the Australian Register of Companies.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Leaving the company name field blank or misspelling it is the most common error.
- 2Incorrect company name spelling
- 3Providing an invalid registered office address
- 4Omitting a required director or shareholder detail
- 5Submitting the form without the required ASIC fee
Plain English
If you want to start a company in Australia, you fill out this form to tell ASIC who you are, what the company will be called, and how it will be run. It’s the first step before the company can legally trade.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form before the company begins any business activities, typically as soon as the company is ready to be incorporated.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
Glossary Terms
No matched glossary terms in this overview yet.
Hover a term to preview the meaning.
What this form is for
- When you are creating a brand‑new Australian company.
- When you need the company recorded on the Australian Register of Companies.
- When you are not merely updating details of an existing company.
- When you are not registering a foreign or offshore company.
- When you are not applying to deregister a company.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Changing company name
Name change requires a different form
✓ Verify name availability first
Registering a foreign company
Different registration pathway for overseas entities
✓ Confirm foreign eligibility
Updating office address or director details
Used for post‑registration changes
✓ Ensure current registration details are correct
Applying to deregister a company
Deregistration has its own form
✓ Confirm company meets deregistration criteria
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed calendar deadline, but the form must be lodged before the company starts trading or before any contracts are signed.
Before you submit
- 1Search and reserve the proposed company name.
- 2Enter full details for all directors and secretaries.
- 3Provide share structure and shareholder information.
- 4Attach any required consents or declarations.
- 5Include the correct ASIC registration fee.
- 6Sign the form as an authorised director or secretary.
- 7Check the company address is entered correctly.
- 8Choose the appropriate submission method (online or paper).
- 9Review the completed form for completeness before sending.
How to file this form
- 1Reserve the company name using ASIC Connect.
- 2Complete Form 201 with company, director and share details.
- 3Gather required consents, declarations and supporting documents.
- 4Pay the ASIC registration fee.
- 5Submit the form online via ASIC’s portal or by post.
- 6Receive the Australian Company Number (ACN) and registration certificate.
Known limitations
- 1Only for registering a new Australian‑registered company.
- 2Cannot be used for foreign or offshore company registrations.
- 3Does not cover special company types such as public companies or charities.
- 4Requires payment of the ASIC registration fee.
- 5Must be signed by an authorised director or secretary.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Entity
2 items
The exact registered name of the company or business.
The Australian Company Number or Australian Business Number.
Change
2 items
What you are registering or notifying — for example, a change of director, address, or share structure.
The specific new details and the date the change took effect.
Authorisation
1 items
Signed or authorised by a director or authorised agent.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 201 is the ASIC form used to register a new Australian company. No recent revisions have been announced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm you have the latest Form 201 version from the ASIC website.
- Check that the fee schedule shown on the form matches current ASIC fees.
- Verify any new supporting document requirements.
- Review signature and authorised signatory instructions.
- Confirm whether electronic filing is available for this version.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and numberNot confirmed in official source
- SRCPurpose of Form 201Not confirmed in official source
- SRCCurrent version dateNot confirmed in official source
- SRCASIC registration fee amountNot confirmed in official source
- SRCElectronic vs paper submission optionsNot confirmed in official source
- SRCRequired supporting documentsNot confirmed in official source
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 201 with Form 401 for foreign company registration.
Skipping the name availability check before completing the form.
Forgetting to obtain director consent signatures.
Omitting required supporting documents such as the constitution.
Using an outdated fee amount on the form.
Signing the form in the wrong field or by an unauthorised person.
Submitting to the wrong ASIC portal or address.
Assuming the form can be used for post‑registration changes.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.