How Long Does It Take to Register a Company in Australia? (2026)

Short answer: most companies with a straightforward name are registered on the same day, often within minutes of payment. Some applications, most often those with a coined or non-standard name, are reviewed by ASIC before they are approved, which can take until the next business day.

Ordering after 5pm? If your company has a non-standard name and you order after 5pm (Sydney time), please allow until the next business day for it to be reviewed and approved. Standard names can still come through the same evening.

We lodge as an ASIC registered agent, so your application reaches ASIC electronically as soon as you pay. This guide explains what happens next and how to give your application the smoothest path.

Two ways an application is approved

• Straight through. When the proposed name and every director’s details can be checked automatically, the ACN and certificate are usually issued the same day, often within minutes.
• Reviewed first. Some applications are looked at by ASIC before approval. This is a normal part of the process and happens during business hours, so an application in this group lodged late in the day or on a weekend is usually approved the next business day.

Timing is a guide, not a guarantee. It depends on the name and details in each application.

What can mean a short wait

1. Coined, invented or unusual names

Distinctive names are fine. Plenty of strong brands are invented words, and ASIC’s rules for acceptable company names are about whether a name is identical to one already registered, uses restricted words, or follows the formatting rules. They don’t require a name to be a dictionary word.

A coined word, unusual spelling or a name close to an existing company or business name is more likely to be reviewed before it is approved. If speed matters, a conventional name is the quickest route. If you love your invented name, go for it, and just allow until the next business day.

2. Director details

Each director’s full legal name, date of birth and place of birth (town and country) go on the application. Details that can’t be matched automatically, for example some overseas places of birth or addresses, may be checked before approval. Entering them exactly as they appear on official ID is the best way to keep things moving.

3. A name that’s too similar to one already registered

A name can’t be identical to one already on the register. The comparison ignores things like “the”, “Pty”, “Ltd”, capitals, punctuation and spacing, and treats some expressions as the same, for example “and” and “&”, or singular and plural. Our order form checks your name against the ASIC register as you type.

4. Restricted words that need consent

Some words, such as “bank”, “trust”, “university” or words suggesting a government connection, can only be used with approval. If your name includes one, registration can’t go ahead until that consent is in place. Most companies never need to think about this.

How to get registered smoothly

• Choose a conventional name if you need the company today; allow until the next business day for coined or unusual names.
• Check the exact name against the ASIC register first (our form does this live).
• Enter every director’s legal name, date of birth and place of birth exactly as shown on their ID.
• Avoid restricted words unless you already hold the consent.
• For a non-standard name, order during business hours. Orders after 5pm are usually approved the next business day.

Register your company today

Register a Pty Ltd or SMSF trustee company with us for a flat $60 service fee plus the $636 ASIC fee, lodged electronically as an ASIC registered agent with every document included. Start your registration, or read how much it costs to register a company, the ASIC fees for 2026, and our step-by-step guide to registering a company.

Frequently asked questions

Can a company be registered on the same day in Australia?

Usually, yes. When the name and every director’s details can be checked automatically, the ACN is often issued within minutes of lodging.

Why hasn’t my company come through yet?

Some applications are reviewed by ASIC before approval, most often because of a coined or unusual name. This is a normal step and is usually completed by the next business day.

I ordered after 5pm. When will my company be registered?

If the name is standard, it can still come through the same evening. If the name is non-standard, please allow until the next business day for it to be reviewed and approved.

Can I register a made-up or invented company name?

Yes. A name doesn’t need to be a dictionary word. It needs to be available, avoid restricted words without consent, and follow the formatting rules. Invented names may just take a little longer to be approved.

How long does ASIC take to review a company name?

Reviews happen during business hours and are usually completed by the next business day. Applications lodged in the evening or on a weekend are reviewed on the next business day.