KYB Australia Australia KYB, UBO, Business Verification & Risk Requirements

The availability of corporate documents in Australia depends on the entity type and filing history.

Company Extract / Current Company Information
A standard registry extract containing key company details such as ACN, incorporation date, registered address, directors, and current status.

Certificate of Registration

Issued upon incorporation, confirming the company’s legal existence.

Company Constitution

Where adopted, it outlines the company’s governance framework and internal rules.

Historical Company Records

Registry records may include historical changes to directors, addresses, or company status, supporting longitudinal due diligence.

Companies registered in Australia can be searched through ASIC register-search services using an organisation name, registered business name or identifier such as an Australian Company Number. ABN Lookup separately supports searches for entities holding an Australian Business Number, including companies and other business structures. Organisations requiring structured Australian company information at scale often use commercial API and portal services that retrieve and organise data from ASIC, the Australian Business Register and other relevant sources. If you require more than a registry search, see our Australia Business Check and company verification guide. Ready to check a business? Search Australia companies instantly through the AsiaVerify platform.

ASIC company records include the registered name, Australian Company Number, entity type, registration date, registered-office location and company status. ASIC also provides a list of documents lodged for the entity. More detailed current or historical extracts and filed documents may be available for purchase. The information contained in an extract depends on the entity, document type and filing history. AsiaVerify’s Australian KYB coverage includes supported company-registration, director and shareholder information.

Company status information is available through ASIC’s company register. Records can help establish whether a company is registered or deregistered, while relevant documents and notices may provide additional information about external administration or other status events. ABN status can be checked separately through ABN Lookup. The currency of information depends on filings submitted and processed by the relevant authority. Organisations requiring ongoing oversight may also use AsiaVerify’s Perpetual KYB capabilities to monitor supported entities and identify relevant company changes over time.

Information about directors and company officers may be available through ASIC company extracts and relevant filings. Depending on the extract or document requested, the information may include names and appointment or cessation details. AsiaVerify’s Australian KYB coverage includes supported director information drawn from relevant official sources.

Shareholder information may be available through ASIC records, company extracts and relevant filings, depending on the company type and information lodged. Public company records do not necessarily reveal the complete underlying ownership or control structure, particularly where companies are held through corporate shareholders, trusts or investment vehicles. Ultimate beneficial ownership analysis therefore commonly combines registry information with additional documents and research. AsiaVerify provides UBO analysis for supported Australian entities as part of its wider KYB coverage. For more on ownership checks, see our guide: Why Identifying the UBO Matters.

ASIC provides public access to company and organisation information through its register-search services. Basic information, including the company name, entity type, identifiers, registration date, registered-office locality and lodged-document list, is available free of charge. More detailed company information and documents may be available for purchase. ABN Lookup separately provides public access to information about entities holding an Australian Business Number.

Basic company information is available through ASIC’s register-search services without charge. More detailed company information, current or historical extracts and lodged documents may be available for purchase. ABN Lookup provides public access to ABN information. Fees and available products are determined by the relevant authority and may change.

A company registry search provides access to corporate records held by ASIC or the Australian Business Register, such as registration details, status, and certain filing information. Company verification uses registry information alongside additional ownership, identity, and risk checks to support KYB and due diligence processes. For a detailed explanation of company verification in Australia, see our Australia Company Verification Guide.

Foreign companies registered to carry on business in Australia can be searched through ASIC’s company and organisation registers. Their records may include an Australian Registered Body Number and other registration information relevant to their Australian presence. A foreign entity holding an ABN may also appear in ABN Lookup. The exact information available depends on the entity’s Australian registration and filed records.

ASIC and Australian Business Register information provides a government-sourced foundation for KYB and due diligence. Organisations can use company and business records to confirm identifiers, registration details, status and addresses, then combine that information with supported director, shareholder and ownership analysis, field matching, AML screening and wider risk checks. Registry information is therefore an important input to onboarding and due diligence, rather than a complete risk outcome on its own. Registry information is commonly combined with ownership analysis, AML screening, due diligence and ongoing monitoring to support onboarding and third-party risk management.

ASIC and the Australian Business Register serve different purposes. ASIC maintains records for incorporated companies and certain other registered organisations. The Australian Business Register maintains information about entities with an Australian Business Number. Australian companies generally have both an ACN and an ABN, but many ABN holders, including sole traders, are not incorporated companies.

Use ASIC’s company and organisation registers when searching for an incorporated company, registered Australian body or foreign company registered in Australia. Use ABN Lookup when confirming the ABN and business-registration information of a company or another business structure, such as a sole trader. For KYB and due diligence, both sources may be relevant because they contain different identifiers and registration information.

Australian public registry information does not necessarily provide a complete view of ultimate ownership or control. Ownership may involve corporate shareholders, trusts or investment structures that require additional documents and analysis. Access to complete filing histories, shareholder information or other detailed records can also depend on the entity type and information lodged. Organisations conducting enhanced due diligence typically combine ASIC and ABR information with company documents, ownership analysis and additional risk sources. Because registry records may not provide a complete picture of ownership and risk, organisations often supplement a registry search with a full business check; see our Australia Company Verification Guide.