How To Change Your Company Address With ASIC In Australia (Step-By-Step)

Moving offices, switching accountants, expanding into a new state, or simply changing where you keep your company records can be exciting milestones for a growing business.

But once your address changes, there’s an important admin step that’s easy to miss: updating your company address with ASIC. If you don’t, you can end up with missed notices, compliance headaches, or ASIC correspondence going to the wrong place.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ASIC change company address process in plain English, including which address you need to change, how to do it online, what timeframes apply, and what else you should update so your business stays compliant.

Which “Company Address” Do You Need To Change With ASIC?

One of the most common reasons business owners get stuck is that ASIC doesn’t just keep “one address” for your company.

Depending on what has changed, you may need to update one or more of the following:

Registered Office Address

Your registered office is your company’s official address for receiving ASIC correspondence (and other formal notices). This is the address that appears on the ASIC company register.

Key points to know:

• It must be a physical address in Australia (not a PO Box).
• It’s often your business premises, your accountant’s office, or your lawyer’s office.
• If the registered office is not occupied by the company (for example, it’s your accountant’s office), you generally need the occupier’s written consent.

Principal Place Of Business Address

Your principal place of business is where your business is primarily carried on (or, in practical terms, where you operate from day-to-day).

Key points to know:

• This can be the same as your registered office, but it doesn’t have to be.
• It must also be a physical address (not a PO Box).
• Many online businesses still have a principal place of business (for example, a warehouse, studio, or home office).

Do You Need An “Address For Service”?

For most companies, ASIC primarily records the registered office (for formal notices and ASIC correspondence) and the principal place of business (where the business is carried on). You’ll sometimes see the phrase “address for service” used in legal contexts, but for a standard company address update with ASIC, the key items to check and update are usually the registered office and principal place of business.

If you’re unsure which address applies to your situation, it’s usually best to treat registered office and principal place of business as the two key items to confirm first.

What About A Director’s Residential Address?

A company address change is different from a director updating their personal details. If you’ve moved house, that can be a separate update requirement for director details.

For this article, we’ll focus on the address changes that are typically meant when people search for an ASIC change company address (registered office and principal place of business).

Before You Update ASIC: A Quick Checklist To Avoid Delays

Before you jump into ASIC Connect, take a few minutes to get the essentials right. This will make the update smoother and helps you avoid accidental errors (like changing the wrong address field).

• Confirm what has changed: registered office, principal place of business, or both.
• Have your company details ready: ACN, company name, and your ASIC corporate key (if you’re lodging online).
• Confirm the new address is eligible: usually a physical Australian address (not a PO Box) for registered office and principal place of business.
• Get occupier consent if needed: if your registered office is at someone else’s premises (like an accountant), make sure they’ve agreed in writing.
• Check whether other records should change too: for example, if you are also updating internal governance documents like your Company Constitution or registers.

If you have a more complex structure (for example, multiple directors, shareholders, or separate operating locations), doing a quick admin/legal tidy-up at the same time can be worthwhile, such as a Legal Health Check.

ASIC Change Company Address: Step-By-Step (Online And Paper)

Most small businesses will update their company address online. However, there are still paper options in some cases.

Below is a practical step-by-step approach.

Step 1: Work Out Exactly What You’re Updating

Start by confirming whether you are changing:

• registered office address
• principal place of business address
• both

This matters because the questions ASIC asks (and the declarations you make) can differ depending on the address type.

Step 2: Lodge The Change Through ASIC (Most Often Via ASIC Connect)

In many situations, address changes are lodged through ASIC’s online portal (ASIC Connect), typically using your company’s corporate key.

Generally, you will:

• log in to ASIC Connect
• select your company
• start a “Change to company details” notification (this is commonly lodged as Form 484 online)
• enter the updated address details
• declare any required confirmations (for example, that the registered office occupier has consented where required)

Once submitted, you should receive confirmation that the change has been lodged.

Step 3: If Lodging By Form, Use The Correct ASIC Form

ASIC commonly uses Form 484 (“Change to company details”) for many company detail changes, including changes to a company’s registered office and/or principal place of business. The exact method can depend on how you’re set up, what’s changing, and which ASIC channel you use (for example, lodging Form 484 online through ASIC Connect versus submitting a paper form).

If you’re not sure whether you should lodge online or by form (or which form is appropriate), it’s worth getting advice before submitting, because incorrect filings can cause delays and create an unnecessary paper trail.

Step 4: Meet The Deadline (This Is Where Businesses Get Caught)

ASIC changes have a required notification period. In general, a company must notify ASIC of changes to its registered office address and principal place of business address within 28 days of the change.

Even if the move itself was smooth, late notification can cause problems like:

• ASIC letters going to an old address
• missing annual review documents
• missing compliance deadlines or invoices
• confusion during due diligence (for example, if you’re raising capital or selling the business)

Step 5: Keep Evidence Of The Change

Once you’ve updated ASIC, keep a record of:

• the submission confirmation or receipt
• the date the change was lodged
• any consent documentation (where applicable)

This is especially important if your registered office is not your own premises. In practice, keeping this documentation alongside your company’s internal records makes it easier to demonstrate compliance later.

Common Mistakes When Changing Your ASIC Company Address (And How To Avoid Them)

Updating an address sounds simple, but the details matter. These are some of the most common pitfalls we see small businesses run into.

Using A PO Box For The Registered Office

For ASIC purposes, the registered office generally needs to be a physical location (not a PO Box). If you want mail directed elsewhere, you may need to use other arrangements (for example, mail handling) while still keeping a compliant registered office address.

Not Getting Written Consent From The Occupier

If your registered office is located at a place you don’t occupy (like an accountant’s office, a co-working space, or another business’s premises), occupier consent can be a key requirement.

Even if the occupier said “yes” on the phone, you should make sure you have written consent and that it’s current.

Changing The Address With The ATO But Not ASIC (Or Vice Versa)

ASIC and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are separate systems. Updating one does not automatically update the other.

So if you’ve moved, treat it as a broader “records update” exercise across:

• ASIC company register details
• ATO/ABN details
• banking, insurance, lease documents, supplier accounts, and key contracts

Note: This is general information only and isn’t tax advice. If you’re unsure what address should be used for ATO/ABN purposes or how to update it, speak to your accountant or a registered BAS agent.

Forgetting To Update Your Business Documents And Templates

Once you’ve completed the ASIC change, make sure your “front-facing” documents match your current details. Depending on your setup, that can include:

• quotes, invoices, purchase orders, and email footers
• website footer and contact page
• customer-facing terms and policies

If your business collects personal information (even just via a contact form), it’s also a good time to check that your Privacy Policy and other website disclosures reflect the correct business details.

Not Considering Who Can Lodge The Change

Depending on how your company is administered, lodging changes may be handled by a director, company secretary, or an authorised agent.

If someone is acting on behalf of the company (for example, an admin staff member or external consultant), you may want an authority to act form in place so it’s clear they have permission to deal with these tasks.

What Else Should You Update After You Change Your Company Address?

Changing your company address with ASIC is one part of staying compliant. But from a practical risk-management perspective, it’s rarely the only update you should make.

Here are common follow-up updates that help keep everything consistent.

Your Company Register And Corporate Records

Most companies should keep internal records up to date, including registers and resolutions where required. If you’re doing a broader governance tidy-up (especially if you’re planning to grow or bring on investors), it may also be the right time to review your Shareholders Agreement (if you have one) and ensure key records are stored appropriately at the correct location.

Your Office Lease Or Property Arrangements

If your move involved signing a new lease, sublease, or shared workspace arrangement, it’s worth making sure you have the right documentation in place and that your address details are consistent across the paperwork. A mismatch between your “legal address” and where you actually operate can create confusion later (especially if a dispute arises).

Your Customer And Supplier Contracts

Address details often appear in:

• service agreements
• terms and conditions
• supply agreements
• credit applications

These details matter because they can affect how notices are delivered (for example, when a party wants to terminate or raise a dispute). If you use standard templates, update them promptly so you don’t accidentally keep issuing documents with an old address.

Your Website, Online Store And Marketing Assets

If you sell online or take enquiries via your website, it’s important that your current business details are accurately displayed. This is not only about professionalism-depending on your business and how you advertise, displaying accurate information can also be part of building trust and avoiding customer complaints.

If you have website terms, a platform agreement, or an online store, you might also consider whether broader updates are needed, such as your Website Terms and Conditions.

Employment Records (If You Have Staff)

If you employ staff, your address may appear in employment paperwork, workplace policies, or HR templates. If the move changes where staff perform work, you may also need to consider practical workplace compliance (for example, WHS requirements at the new site).

It can be a good prompt to ensure you’re using up-to-date contracts, such as an Employment Contract that reflects your current business details and working arrangements.

Key Takeaways

• When people look up an ASIC change company address, they’re usually talking about updating the registered office address, the principal place of business address, or both.
• Your registered office is your company’s official address for notices and ASIC mail, and it generally needs to be a physical Australian address.
• If your registered office is at someone else’s premises (like an accountant’s office), you should ensure you have their written consent before lodging the change.
• In general, you must notify ASIC of registered office and principal place of business address changes within 28 days.
• Most address changes are lodged online via ASIC Connect (commonly as an online Form 484), but it’s important to select the correct change type and keep evidence of your submission.
• After you update ASIC, also update your key business documents, website details, internal records, and any contracts that include your address.
• If you’re unsure what needs updating (or you have a more complex company structure), getting advice early can save time and prevent compliance issues later.

If you’d like help updating your ASIC details or getting your company documents in order after a move, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.