Information brokers are approved by ASIC to provide search products and services to customers. They do this by accessing ASIC's registers and document retrieval network.
You can apply to become an ASIC approved information broker by submitting an application to ASIC. ASIC will review your application and decide if you are eligible.
This page outlines how you can apply to become an information broker and things to consider before applying. See also Information brokers register search.
Applying to be an information broker
Before applying to become an ASIC information broker, you should thoroughly research and understand the market for our information products.
The below documents will assist you in your application. They outline the information you need to provide to ASIC, and the technical requirements of being an information broker.
Please note ASIC is currently only accepting applications from Australian entities. You may wish to check with us at a later date to see if we will accept applications from non-Australian entities.
Specifies communications protocols at the application communications level for applications using the Datastream Application Program Interface for ASIC external data services.
4 March 1997
Applications will be assessed on the information provided in the application. If the application is incomplete, we will contact you and request that you provide the necessary information.
Once you are sure your application includes all the necessary information, email it to broker.enquiries@asic.gov.au as a PDF attachment.
Information broker search products and fees
ASIC search fees provide details of the search products available from ASIC. It also provides the fees that an information broker will be charged for each search conducted.
The search fees are indexed annually from 1 July. ASIC has no discretion to charge information broker search fees lower than the legislated fee.
Registry gatekeepers
A registry gatekeeper is a third-party authorised to act as a conduit between ASIC and the business community such as companies, businesses, registered professionals and the searching public.
Registry gatekeepers provide services and products to the public, commercial entities and government agencies. They enhance the availability of ASIC register information by making it available as standard and non-standard ASIC products. Registry gatekeepers may also combine ASIC information with information from other sources to create other value adding products and services not offered by ASIC.
Registry gatekeepers must be authorised by the person or entity engaging their services to act on their behalf. Once authorised, a gatekeeper may lodge, update, or retrieve information from our registers on behalf of customers only in line with customers consent.
Who are registry gatekeepers?
Information Brokers: Information brokers are approved by ASIC to provide search products and services to customers.
Registered Agents: Registered agents make lodgements to ASIC registers on behalf of companies. Agents need to register for online access before they can use our online services.
Digital Service Providers: Digital Service Providers use ASIC Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to integrate ASIC Registry interactions (e.g. company and business name registrations) with third party software to create web and mobile services.
Private Service Providers: Private Service Providers interact with ASIC and ASIC systems on behalf of a customer with the customer’s authorisation.
Our expectation of registry gatekeepers
The principles guiding expectations of our registry gatekeepers are that;
It is a privilege to be a gatekeeper
Gatekeepers must act in the best interests of ASIC customers
Gatekeepers must not engage in deceptive or misleading practices and if they see something, are obliged to say something
Gatekeepers must act on reports to ASIC of poor behaviour, and
ASIC can revoke this privilege at any time.
ASIC expectation of private service providers
Where private services providers interact with our customers, we expect that they operate transparently, fairly and honestly in their business practices.
Below is a list of practices that we expect private service providers to adopt:
Clearly explain who you are
Set out your name, Australian Business Number (ABN) and contact details on your communications such as letters and website. Your contact details should include your principal business address.
You should ensure customers understand they are not interacting directly with ASIC.
Set out your fees
Ensure that information given to customers about fees you charge clearly separate fees charged by ASIC, and service fees charged by you as a service provider.
Be honest
Only offer to provide a service that you are capable of providing at the time. For example, you cannot renew a business name registration earlier than 2 months before the expiry date, therefore you must not mislead a customer into thinking you can renew the registration earlier.
Keep records
Ensure you have written consent from customers prior to making changes to any contact information on ASIC records.
Do not use marketing that may mislead customers
Use accurate and lawful marketing and promotion of your services.
Make sure marketing products do not confuse customers into thinking they are dealing with a government agency.
Do not operate under a business name that may make customers think ASIC endorses or authorises your services. For example, you must not use words such as ‘ASIC’ or ‘Business Name’ in your business name.
Ensure that the words or images that you use do not suggest that you are authorised or endorsed by ASIC.
