FAQ for online services
Below is some general information about lodging online with ASIC, as well as some frequently asked questions about our online services.
Screen layout and functions
The screen for our online services has two main areas:
- The Menu is down the left hand side of the screen
- The Content is the main screen area to the right of the menu where the questions appear and you enter data.
Menu
Select the 'Next' button located at the bottom of each screen once you've entered all details. You'll get an error message (or messages) if any information is incomplete.
As you complete each page:
- your data is saved on our system. We won't use any data until it's submitted to us.
- the relevant menu item changes to a link. This allows you to return to and review the pages you have completed. The menu shows your progress through the document.
The menu also displays links to other useful information and services. Clicking on these links will open a new browser window.
Finalise
Some of our online services ask you to select 'Finalise' when your document is completed. After you finalise, you won't be able to make any further changes.
Use the 'Print' button to print your document. Note that you need to have Adobe Reader to view and download any PDF documents.
Submit
Use 'Submit' to:
- submit your final document to ASIC
- check for any statutory fees and print an invoice (if applicable).
For some documents, submitting a document means it's lodged. For others, you must also submit other documentation. See the specific form for details.
Log off
To ensure the security of your information, we recommend logging out of your account once you have finished lodging with us.
Finish later
Each document being lodged has a unique reference number. To save your work, you can select 'Work in Progress/Finish Later' and resume it later.
Archiving and deleting electronic documents
Documents are available for 90 days
Company officeholders and registered agents can get copies of documents they've lodged before. We will provide online customer access to these documents for a period of 90 days. We will keep a copy of documents and associated data (e.g. attachments) in our system for ASIC's records.
You will have the following periods to access and retain your documents and statements:
|
Documents submitted (these are documents you have submitted to ASIC) |
90 days after submission date |
|
Work in progress (these are documents you have started to prepare, but have not yet submitted to ASIC) |
90 days since you last accessed the document |
|
Inbox (this contains correspondence from ASIC to you including company statements and charge certificates) |
90 days after correspondence is placed in your inbox |
If you want to keep a document or statement longer than 90 days, you will need to store a copy in your own filing system. ASIC will delete any documents and statements after 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
What attachments can I include?
Up to 5 attachments are allowed per lodgement. They should be in PDF (.pdf) format.
We will reject any PDF documents containing encrypted data, active content (e.g. JavaScript, PostScript), external references, and PDF documents with attached objects or executables.
We also cannot accept word-processing and spreadsheet documents (e.g. .docx or .xlsx) because of security issues inherent in those file formats. The largest file size that you can attach varies between forms; for most forms, it can be up to 10 MB. The file size limit will be displayed on the screen when you are asked to attach a document.
How is my ABN checked against the Australian Business Register?
ASIC uses the Australian Business Register (the ABR) to verify ABNs. The ABR allows you to search the details of all existing ABNs.
What browsers and operating systems are compatible?
Both Windows and Mac operating systems can use our online services. Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox are all accepted browsers. If you are having issues, we recommend clearing your cache and cookies. If problems persist, try using a different browser.