Registered Office Address vs Principal Place of Business: What’s the Difference?
When you register a company in Australia, you must provide two important addresses to ASIC:
- Registered Office Address
- Principal Place of Business
Many new company owners think these addresses are the same. However, ASIC sees them as two distinct addresses, each with a different purpose. If you confuse them, you might miss important letters from ASIC or fail to meet legal requirements.
In this simple guide, you will learn the difference between the two, why each address is important, and how choosing the wrong one can impact your business.
This information applies to companies in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, and Tasmania.
1. What Is a Registered Office Address?
A Registered Office Address is the official address that ASIC keeps on record for your company. This is where:
- ASIC sends legal notices.
- Government departments send letters.
- Official documents must be delivered.
- Compliance mail arrives.
ASIC requires every company in Australia to have a registered office address. It must be a physical street address, not a PO Box.
The Registered Office Address:
- does not need to be your business location.
- does not need to be where you work.
- can be an accountant’s office.
- can be a service provider’s office.
- can be outside your home state.
This is why many company owners choose a professional registered office address service instead of using their home address.
2. What Is the Principal Place of Business?
The Principal Place of Business is the address where your company mainly operates. ASIC defines it as the location where the company carries out its business activities. This is usually:
– your shop
– your office
– your warehouse
– your café
– your workshop
– your home (if you run a home-based business)
This address must be correct because it indicates where the company performs its daily tasks.
3. Key Differences Between the Two
4. Why the Difference Matters
Understanding the difference is important because it affects your legal obligations.
Reason 1: Compliance With ASIC Rules
ASIC requires both addresses for different reasons. If your registered office is incorrect, you may miss:
– annual statements
– reminder notices
– penalty warnings
– late fees
– legal documents
The ATO and state revenue offices may also send notices to the registered office address.
Reason 2: Avoiding Penalties
ASIC charges late fees if you ignore important letters. A single missed notice can lead to:
– penalties
– overdue fees
– even company deregistration
These penalties are made public and increase over time.
Reason 3: Privacy Protection
If you run your business from home, both your addresses appear on ASIC’s public register. Many people choose a professional registered office address to keep their home off public records.
Reason 4: Professional Image
A registered office in a recognized commercial area can make your business look more credible, especially for:
– clients
– investors
– suppliers
This is helpful for new companies and for directors who work from home.
5. Why Many Companies Use a Registered Office Address Service
Many business owners choose to use a professional service to avoid exposing their personal home address, receiving government mail at home, missing important ASIC letters, and dealing with compliance paperwork.
A registered office address service typically provides mail scanning, forwarding to your email, secure record keeping, ASIC compliance checks, reminders for updates, and privacy protection.
This is helpful for companies located in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Tasmania, Canberra, and Darwin.
6. Is It Legal to Have Your Registered Office in a Different State?
Yes. ASIC lets your registered office be in a different state from your main place of business.
Example:
Your business operates in Perth.
Your registered office address is in Adelaide.
This is completely legal and common for companies that use an accountant’s office or a compliance service provider.
7. Why You Should Not Use a PO Box for the Registered Office
ASIC clearly states that a PO Box is not allowed for the Registered Office Address. This is because ASIC may need to deliver documents in person. Government departments may need a physical location. Legal notices must be deliverable to an actual address. However, your Principal Place of Business can still use a PO Box as a postal address, though it cannot be the official principal place.
8. What Happens If You Use the Wrong Address?
Using the wrong address can cause delays in receiving notices, ATO compliance problems, missed payment deadlines, late fees from ASIC, creditors being unable to contact you, and the risk of company deregistration. ASIC sends thousands of late-fee notices every year because companies fail to update their addresses on time.
9. When Should You Update Your Address?
ASIC requires you to update your addresses within 28 days of any change. If you don’t update on time, ASIC may charge late fees and note non-compliance.
10. Final Advice
The safest way to manage your registered office is to use a professional address service that keeps your details private, handles ASIC mail, meets legal requirements, and reduces the risk of missing important notices. This lets you relax while you focus on running your business.
Need a Secure, Professional Registered Office Address in Australia?
AMA Accountants offers trusted Registered Office Address services for companies in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, and Tasmania. We manage your ASIC mail, safeguard your privacy, and ensure your company stays compliant throughout the year. Set up your Registered Office Address today:
📞 Phone: +61 (0)420 529 890
📧 Email: finance@amaaccountant.com.au
Authored By Amit Chugh
Partner, CPA & Registered Tax Agent
Your Trusted Accountant for Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Across Australia
Amit Chugh is a Partner at The AMA Accountant and a highly respected CPA & Registered Tax Agent with a proven track record of delivering exceptional accounting and taxation services to individuals, businesses, and corporations across Australia.
Amit Chugh is a Partner at The AMA Accountant and a highly respected CPA & Registered Tax Agent with a proven track record of delivering exceptional accounting and taxation services to individuals, businesses, and corporations across Australia.
With over 25+ of professional experience, Amit has helped thousands of clients streamline their finances, optimise tax returns, and ensure full compliance with Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements. His client base spans Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Tasmania, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra, and regional hubs including Prospect, Modbury, Mawson Lakes, Woodville, Mount Gambier, Victor Harbor, Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Murray Bridge, Port Augusta, Gawler, and Port Pirie.
