ASIC-initiated deregistration of company
This is Information Sheet 10 (INFO 10).
ASIC may deregister a company if we think it has ceased trading or it has overdue fees and penalties.
- Reasons for ASIC-initiated deregistration
- How does ASIC-initiated deregistration work?
- How can I stop ASIC-initiated deregistration?
Reasons for an ASIC-initiated deregistration
There are a few reasons why ASIC may begin deregistering a company, including if:
- the company has not paid its annual review fee within 12 months of the due date
- the company has not responded to a Company compliance notice, has not lodged any documents in 18 months, and we think it's not in business; or
- the company is being wound up and there is no liquidator.
How does an ASIC-initiated deregistration work?
The steps for an ASIC-initiated deregistration are:
- We'll send a letter to the company's directors and/or liquidator (if applicable)to advise of the pending deregistration.
- We'll update the company's status on our register to display as 'SOFF' (Strike off status), meaning it's being deregistered.
- We'll post a notice on our Published notices website, advising that the company will be deregistered in two months unless stopped.
- When two months have passed, we'll deregister the company and send a notice to the directors and/or liquidators to confirm.
Once a notice has been published on the Published notices website, it can't be removed, even if deregistration is stopped.
How can I stop an ASIC-initiated deregistration?
Depending on why the company is being deregistered, you may be able to stop deregistration by:
- paying the company's annual review fee and any other outstanding fees
- lodging any required documents, or
- writing to us and advising that the company is still trading.
The letter we send to the company directors and/or liquidator will have more information on what to do.
For more information see Stopping deregistration.
Related links:
Information sheets provide concise guidance on a specific process or compliance issue or an overview of detailed guidance.
This information sheet was reissued in April 2016.