Articles and guides

Practical guides for running an Australian company, especially from overseas: resident directors, Director ID, ASIC compliance, registered offices, shelf companies and choosing between a branch and a subsidiary.

• 10 March 2026 Keynote address by ASIC Chair Joe Longo at the AICD Australian Governance Summit in Sydney on 10 March 2026 ASIC Chair Joe Longo told the AICD Australian Governance Summit that being a company director is more demanding than ever, but still worth doing. Here are his key points. Read more
• 11 February 2025 The Australian economy in early 2025: an optimistic outlook A snapshot of the Australian economy in February 2025: growth forecasts, inflation, investment, government initiatives and consumer spending. Read more
• 1 February 2022 Director ID: a requirement for company directors Every company director in Australia needs a director ID before they are appointed. Here is who needs one, how to apply through ABRS and what overseas directors can do. Read more
• 4 December 2019 Differences between Australian subsidiaries and registered foreign companies Should an overseas business enter Australia with a branch or a subsidiary? We compare the ASIC requirements, local agent, resident director and reporting for each. Read more
• 3 December 2019 What’s the difference between an ABN and an ACN? An ABN identifies any Australian business, while an ACN identifies a registered company. Here is what each number is, how to get one and how to keep it up to date. Read more
• 5 September 2017 5 Things Every Foreigner Must Consider When Doing Business in Australia Planning to do business in Australia from overseas? Here are five things to get right: your structure, a resident director, ASIC compliance, tax registrations, and director ID and banking. Read more
• 3 August 2017 How to Make Sure Your Australian Business Succeeds Five fundamentals to review regularly so your Australian business keeps on track: founding papers, regulations, market research, marketing and cash flow, and your business plan. Read more
• 13 June 2016 Purchasing an Australian Shelf Company Buying a pre-registered shelf company is one of the fastest ways to start a business in Australia. Here is what to consider: the ABN, the company name, and the state and age of the company. Read more
• 11 March 2016 Registered Office vs. Business Address A registered office is where ASIC sends your company's official mail. A business address is where customers and suppliers reach you. Here is the difference, and whether to use your home address. Read more