ASIC Company Registration in Australia: Step-by-Step
How to register a company (Pty Ltd) with ASIC, get your ACN and certificate of registration, and exactly what government tenders ask for.
Government contracts with registered businesses. Your ASIC company registration, director details and a proof-of-bank-account letter are standard response documents on almost every bid. Here is how to register and what to keep on file.
Register a company with ASIC
- Create a profile on the CIPC portal (or use the BizPortal one-stop service)
- Reserve a company name, or register with an interim name and add one later
- Enter director details with certified ID copies
- Pay the small prescribed fee; a private company (Pty Ltd) is the usual choice for tendering
- CIPC issues your registration (CoR14.3) and a directors disclosure (CoR14.1 / CoR14.3)
The documents tenders actually ask for
- CIPC registration / company disclosure certificate
- Certified ID copies of every director
- A bank confirmation letter proving the account is in the company name
- A short company profile describing what you do and your experience
After registration
Use your CIPC registration to open a business bank account, register for tax with ATO, and complete your ABN profile. These connect: your ABN, tax and bank details are all verified against your CIPC record.
Frequently asked questions
Which company type is best for tendering?+
A private company (Pty Ltd) is the standard choice. It is simple to register, separates your personal and business liability, and is what most government returnable-document lists expect.
How long does CIPC registration take?+
Often a few days once your documents and director details are in order, especially via BizPortal. Name reservation can add a little time.
Do I need a company to bid, or can I use my ID?+
You need a registered entity with an active ABN profile to be awarded a public contract. Register with CIPC first, then complete ABN and ATO, which verify against your CIPC record.
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