Online keys
Before you can update your details with ASIC, you need to have your unique 'key'. This is to protect your identity and ensure that only authorised people can review and change your business details.
Below is a summary of the different types of keys that are available and how you can use them.
- ASIC key (for business names, SMSF auditors, AFS licensees)
- Corporate key (for online access to your company)
- Invitation key (for ASIC regulatory portal)
- Security key (for industry funding)
ASIC key
The ASIC key is used for business names, self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) auditors and Australian financial services (AFS) licensees. Below you can find guidance on what an ASIC key is, how to use it and how to request one if you have lost it.
If you want to update your company details or log in with your corporate key, you need to use your corporate key.
What is the ASIC key?
Your ASIC key is a unique number used in ASIC Connect that helps us establish your identity. It protects your information and makes sure that only authorised people can change it.
Each business name will have its own unique ASIC key.
You'll need your ASIC key to link your business name to your ASIC Connect account so you can update your business name details or cancel your business name.
The key is sent to you when you register a new business name or renew your existing registration.
Request an ASIC key
You can request an ASIC key by using our online service, ASIC Connect.
Request an ASIC key using ASIC Connect
GUIDE: Request an ASIC key
Download our user guide on How to request an ASIC key (PDF 2.6MB) or see the steps you need to follow for requesting an ASIC key in your ASIC Connect account.
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Step |
Title |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Go to ASIC Connect and log in to your account Don't have an account? |
When you log in for the first time, you will be prompted to add any existing business names to your account. |
|
2 |
Select the Link a business/Request ASIC key option from the Do it now menu on the right-hand side of the screen |
This will start the ASIC key request transaction. |
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3 |
Answer No to the first question, select your business type, enter your entity name and select Search name |
This will display all business names with a similar name and the suburb, state and postcode of their service address. |
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4 |
Select the radio button to the left of your chosen business name and select Request an ASIC key |
This will send the ASIC key request. |
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5 |
Confirmation |
This will confirm your transaction has been submitted with ASIC. |
Your ASIC key will then be sent to your business email address (within 24 hours).
The email will be sent from ASIC.transactions.no-reply@asic.gov.au.
To make sure the email does not get caught in junk mail, we recommend you add this email address to your safe senders list.
Request an ASIC key for a new address
If you need your ASIC key but your current address is incorrect, you can ask for it to be sent to a new address.
GUIDE: Request an ASIC key for a new address
See the steps you need to follow for requesting an ASIC key for a new address.
| Step | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Send us a request using our online enquiry service | Classify your request by answering the following questions:
|
| 2 | Enter your request details | Tell us you are the business name holder and you would like the ASIC key sent to an new address.
Your request will also need to include the:
|
Your ASIC key will then be sent to the nominated email address within a few days.
The email will be sent from connect@asic.gov.au.
To make sure the email does not get caught in junk mail, we recommend you add this email address to your safe senders list.
Authority to request an ASIC key
In order to request a new ASIC key be sent to a nominated address - you will need to provide evidence that you are the business name holder.
Below is a list of examples:
|
If entity that holds the business name or SMSF auditor registration is... |
The ASIC key must be requested by... |
Information you need to provide |
|---|---|---|
|
an individual |
the registration holder |
Full name and date of birth |
|
a company |
|
Directors or secretaries:
Full name and date of birth Registered agents (if appointed): Agent number and name |
|
a partnership / joint venture partnership |
a partner |
If the partner is an individual: Full name and date of birth
If the partner is a company or other entity: Full name and date of birth of an officeholder of the company or entity |
| a trust | an authorised representative |
Full name, date of birth and date of appointment as an authorised representative |
Link your ASIC key to your ASIC Connect account
Before you can update your business name details, you need to make sure your business name is linked to your account.
GUIDE: Link a business to your ASIC Connect account
If your business name appears under the 'Lodgements and notifications' tab in ASIC Connect, then it's already linked.
Otherwise, you'll need to use your ASIC key to the link the business name.
Download ou user guide for How to link a business to your ASIC Connect account (PDF 1.2MB).
Third party requests for an ASIC key
If you're acting on behalf of the business name holder (for example, you are their accountant or agent), you can ask for the ASIC key to be sent to you directly.
GUIDE: Third party requests for an ASIC key
Here are the steps to follow for third party requests for an ASIC key.
|
Step |
Title |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Classify your request by answering the following questions:
|
|
|
2 |
Enter your request details |
Tell us that you are authorised to act on behalf of a business name holder and you would like the ASIC key. Your request will also need to include:
|
|
3 |
Attach a scanned copy of your written authorisation to your enquiry |
The written authorisation must:
|
Your ASIC key will then be sent to your nominated email address within a few days.
The email will be sent from customer.support@asic.gov.au
To make sure the email does not get caught in junk mail, we recommend you add this email address to your safe senders list.
What if I haven't received the ASIC key?
If you request your ASIC key online, we'll usually send it by email within a few minutes of your request. If it's being sent by post, it may take a few days.
If you haven't received it after a week and you urgently need the key, you can contact us to get it delivered.
GUIDE: What if I haven't received the ASIC key?
If you have not received an email, here are the steps to you should take.
|
Step |
Title |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Check your spam email folder, to make sure the email wasn’t caught by your spam filter |
The email containing your ASIC key is sent from ASIC.transactions.no-reply@asic.gov.au (for ASIC Connect requests) or connect@asic.gov.au (for all other requests). |
|
2 |
Send us a request using our online enquiry service If your enquiry is urgent, you can call us on 1300 300 630 |
Classify your request by answering the following questions:
|
|
3 |
Enter your request details |
Tell us that have not received your ASIC key, you have checked your spam folder and would like the email re-sent. Your enquiry should include:
We will then investigate and re-send the ASIC key. |
Related links
Corporate key
Your corporate key is used to register for online access for your company. You can view your company details, lodge documents, and receive your annual statements online. You cannot register for online access without your corporate key.
Your corporate key is sent when you first register your company, and with your annual statement each year.
More information about Information Sheet Corporate key (INFO 8)
Invitation key
An invitation key is a unique key to register for, or connect to an entity, in the ASIC Regulatory Portal.
If someone invites you to connect to an entity, you will receive an email, including the invitation key. You can use the key to either register and connect to an entity, or if you already have an existing portal account, you can log in and use the key to connect to an entity.
How do I receive an invitation key?
In the ASIC Regulatory Portal, users with Senior administrator or Administrator access level for an entity can invite other users to connect to that entity.
When an administrator invites a user to connect to an entity, the invitee will receive an email that includes an invitation key.
How do I use an invitation key?
You can use an invitation key to register and connect to an entity at the same time, or if you already have an existing ASIC Regulatory Portal account, to simply connect to an entity.
How long do I have to use an invitation key?
An invitation key will expire after 48 hours. If your invitation key has expired, you will need to contact the entity Senior administrator or Administrator and request a new invitation key.
Where is an invitation key sent?
The invitation key will be sent to you via email.
It's important that the person inviting you to connect to an entity provides the correct email address during the invitation process as this is where the email, including the invitation key, is sent.
If you're expecting an email with an invitation key, but haven't received it, please check your email 'trash' or 'junk' folder first. If you're still unable to locate the email, please contact the entity Senior administrator or Administrator and request a new invitation key.
I'm having issues using an invitation
If you're having issues using an invitation key, visit our Regulatory portal FAQs page. Here you'll find FAQs, step-by-step user guides and videos to help you.
Related links
Security key
The industry funding security key is a unique number applicable to ASIC’s regulated population.
Here you will find information on what it is, how to use it and what to do if you have not received it or you have lost it.
Organisations that are regulated by ASIC need to complete an industry funding return before Thursday 27 September 2018 under the Government’s industry funding arrangements.
Industry funding commenced on 1 July 2017, requiring organisations regulated by ASIC to contribute toward the associated regulatory costs incurred in the previous financial year.
Key points
- To enable ASIC to calculate invoices, organisations must submit or confirm pre-populated business activity metric data on the operation of their business from the previous financial year. This can be done online in the ASIC Regulatory Portal.
- A letter was sent from ASIC to each regulated company’s registered office address with instructions on how to submit your business activity metrics.
- The letter included each organisation’s unique industry funding security key – this is a seven-digit number.
- ASIC will use the information in these returns to calculate an entity’s share of the regulatory costs for the previous financial year.
I have lost or didn't receive my industry funding letter and security key. Can I still register and submit my business activity metrics?
In most cases, yes. If you have a corporate key or ASIC key, you can still register.
On the registration page, select either the 'I want to link to a licence or registration I hold' or the 'I want to act on behalf of a registered company or body' tile. Complete the registration process.
If you don’t have either a corporate key or ASIC key, you will need to request another letter by contacting us.
Only company directors or secretaries can create an account
Registering an ASIC Regulatory Portal account for your entity can only be done by company directors or company secretaries.
Once registered, they can then invite a trusted representative such as a company employee, a compliance officer, or a registered agent to the portal to connect to their entity and assign them required user access to view confidential information and perform regulatory tasks on behalf of the entity - submitting industry funding business activity metrics, for example.
Small proprietary companies may not need to submit business activity metrics
Small proprietary companies that do not hold Australian Financial Services or Credit licenses will not need to visit the ASIC Regulatory Portal or submit business activity metrics. Instead, they will pay an additional $4 on top of their annual review fee. This simple fee increase aims to minimise the reporting burden on small proprietary companies.
Registered charities will not need to submit business activity metrics
The Government will absorb ASIC’s costs of regulating charities that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission and they are not required to visit the ASIC Regulatory Portal or submit business activity metrics.
See more information on industry funding.
For information only:
AUSkey (no longer in use)
AUSkey was decommissioned as of 28 March 2020.
You can find more information about the decommissioning of AUSkey and access to other government services on the ABR website.
How do I access my ASIC Connect account without an AUSkey?
If you would usually use AUSkey to log in to ASIC Connect, you will need to use a username and password instead.
If you don’t have an online account with a username and password set up, you will need to create a new one.
See the steps for How to set up a new ASIC Connect account.
Once you have set up your new account, you will need an ASIC key to link your details.
Find out more about ASIC key.