Journalist portal

Who is a journalist?

A journalist is a person who:

• works in a professional capacity for media organisations,
• is a freelance who regularly sells stories to media organisations, or
• publishes stories on a commercial basis.

A person who exclusively runs a social media platform, or regularly publishes stories in their own free time or as a hobby is not considered a journalist.

How do I apply?

You can apply for a journalist search exemption by completing and emailing an Application for journalist search access.

Completed applications should be completed and emailed to journalist.apply@asic.gov.au.

What happens after I apply?

Once we have processed your application, you will be sent your search exemption code, journalist portal username and password by email. This information allows you to:

• log in to the ASIC journalist portal, and
• complete searches on our business name and company registers.

Approved journalists have access to a range of search products across ASIC's registers.

Amendments to the fees chargeable for ASIC searches under regulations means that journalists can access some information for free.

The journalist search exemption is an extension of the current media exemption.

What channels can I use to access search products?

ASIC Journalist Portal

The ASIC Journalist Portal is a dedicated search service for approved journalists who are exempt from paying certain registry search fees.

Information brokers

When searching ASIC's registers, you can choose to search directly through us, or through an ASIC approved information broker.

Information brokers have direct access to our registers and offer a variety of services that may suit your needs.

Information brokers may charge an additional amount on top of what the law requires.

More information about Information Brokers on ASIC Connect.

Request search via email

You can submit a request to us directly using the Journalist search request for information (PDF). This form should also be used for requesting documents.

ASIC Connect

Through our ASIC Connect search service, you can search a range of free information contained on our registers.

More information about how to use ASIC Connect search.

What search products are available?

Business Names

Companies

Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL)

Australian Credit Licence

Professional Registers

SMSF Auditor

What if the information I need is not available online?

If you need information from our registers that is not available from the journalist portal, or not freely available from our search portal ASIC Connect, we suggest you approach one of the ASIC-approved Information brokers to access the information.

Information brokers may charge an additional amount on top of what the law requires.

Alternatively, you may submit a request to us directly using the Journalist search request for information (PDF).