We want to make our clients aware of an ongoing issue affecting Australian business owners involving misleading ASIC and business name renewal notices.
Several private companies – similar to the examples on the right and below – are engaging in predatory third-party activity by sending official-looking letters and emails requesting payment for ASIC company reviews or business name renewals.
While these notices may appear to be official government documents, they are not issued by ASIC.
What’s happening?
These businesses operate as third-party service providers and are not connected to your existing ASIC agent or accountant. Some of these operators have been known to lodge ASIC forms appointing themselves as your ASIC agent without clear or informed consent, which may give them access to your company information and disrupt your existing compliance arrangements.
What you should do
If you receive a letter or email requesting payment for:
- ASIC annual company reviews
- Business name renewals
- Early payment “discounts” or urgent deadlines
Do not pay or respond immediately.
Instead:
- Check whether the correspondence aligns with your current ASIC agent arrangements.
- If you are our client, contact AustAsia Group for confirmation, or
- Verify directly with ASIC via their official website
How we can help
As part of our ongoing services for most of our business clients, AustAsia Group acts as your nominated ASIC agent and manages ASIC lodgements and reminders on your behalf. If you’re unsure about any notice you receive, please forward it to our team, and we’ll confirm whether action is required.
Staying informed is the best way to protect your business from unnecessary confusion and potential misuse of your company details.
If you have any questions, reach out to us — we’re here to help.
