This is Information Sheet 5 (INFO 5). It explains how company directors or secretaries can apply to have their residential address suppressed (i.e. hidden) from public view.
As a company director or secretary, your name, date of birth, place of birth and residential address are recorded on the company register and are visible to the public.
When you can apply to have your residential address suppressed
You can apply to ASIC to have your residential address suppressed (hidden) from public view if you believe that your address appearing on the publicly available company register could put your safety, or your family’s safety, at risk.
If you apply to have your residential address suppressed, you will need to provide an alternative address. The alternative address will be displayed on the public register instead of your residential address.
You must use the same alternative address for all companies that you are an officeholder of.
You must be registered as a silent elector with the AEC before ASIC can suppress your address.
You can register as a silent elector with the AEC if you believe having your address included on the publicly available electoral roll could put you or your family’s safety at risk.
If you already have silent elector status with the AEC, go to Step 2.
Step 2: Download and complete Form 379Application for suppression of residential address.
As part of your application, you will need to provide:
a copy of the AEC approval letter granting silent elector registration
your full name, date of birth and place of birth
your usual residential address that you would like hidden from public view
an alternative address to display on the public register instead of your residential address. This address must be within Australia (a PO box is not acceptable), and
an original signature of the person whose address is to be suppressed on the application.
Step 3: Lodge the completed form, including the copy of the AEC approval letter, with ASIC. You can lodge the form via email to suppression@asic.gov.au or via post.
Step 1: Download, print and complete Form 379Application for suppression of residential address.
As part of your application, you will need to provide:
your full name, date of birth and place of birth
your usual residential address that you would like hidden from public view
an alternative address to display on the public register instead of your residential address. This address must be within Australia (a PO box is not acceptable), and
an original signature of the person whose address is to be suppressed on the application.
Step 2: Download, print and complete Form 378Application to use an alternative address.
As part of your application, you will need to provide a statutory declaration explaining the reasons why your safety or the safety of your family members is at risk.
Step 3: Lodge the two completed ASIC forms and the statutory declaration with ASIC. You can lodge the form via email to suppression@asic.gov.au or via post. An invoice will be issued for the application fee once your request has been processed.
How to lodge your application
You can send your application via email or mail to:
Attn: Alternative Address Officer Australian Securities and Investments Commission PO Box 4000 Gippsland Mail Centre VIC 3841
If ASIC approves your application
If we approve your application, you will receive an ASIC approval number. You must quote your approval number on any ASIC form that requires your residential address.
Remember to always include the alternative address (and not your residential address) on ASIC forms that require your residential address. If you include your residential address on an ASIC form, your residential address may appear on the public register.
What to do if your address changes
If your address suppression is granted, do not lodge future address changes via Form 484 Change of company details. If you do this, your residential address will be visible to the public.
Instead, you must notify ASIC of any change to your residential or alternative address by lodging Form 379Application for suppression of residential address within the required timeframes:
within 14 days of the change to a residential address, or
within 28 days of the change to an alternative address.
Attn: Alternative Address Officer Australian Securities and Investments Commission PO Box 4000 Gippsland Mail Centre VIC 3841
Important notice
Please note that this information sheet is a summary giving you basic information about a particular topic. It does not cover the whole of the relevant law regarding that topic, and it is not a substitute for professional advice. We encourage you to seek your own professional advice to find out how the applicable laws apply to you, as it is your responsibility to determine your obligations.
You should also note that because this information sheet avoids legal language wherever possible, it might include some generalisations about the application of the law. Some provisions of the law referred to have exceptions or important qualifications. In most cases, your particular circumstances must be taken into account when determining how the law applies to you.
Information sheets provide concise guidance on a specific process or compliance issue or an overview of detailed guidance.
This information sheet was reissued in March 2025.
