Resident Director Services — Your Trusted Local Compliance Partner
What it is
What is a resident director?
Under Section 201A of the Corporations Act 2001, every proprietary or public company registered in Australia must have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia. This requirement is enforced by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and applies equally to foreign-owned subsidiaries and locally incorporated companies.
The legal requirement:
A proprietary company must have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia. A public company must have at least two directors ordinarily residing in Australia. Failure to comply is a breach of the Corporations Act and may result in significant penalties and regulatory action by ASIC.
A resident director (also called a nominee director) is an Australian resident who is formally appointed to your company’s board. Their role is to ensure your company meets its statutory, tax, and regulatory obligations in Australia. They do not manage your day-to-day operations — that responsibility remains with your overseas management team. Their focus is governance and compliance.
Who needs a resident director?
Foreign Companies
International businesses setting up an Australian subsidiary (Pty Ltd) with no locally based directors.
Relocating Directors
Existing companies whose sole Australian director has moved overseas and must be replaced within 28 days.
New Market Entrants
Startups and SMEs from the US, UK, Asia, and beyond testing or launching in the Australian market.
Investment Structures
Holding companies, joint ventures, and investment vehicles that require a compliant local director presence.
What does a resident director do?
A resident director takes on formal legal responsibility for your company’s compliance in Australia. Under Australian law, all directors share certain duties regardless of whether they are nominee or executive directors. A professional resident director will:
| Responsibility | Description |
|---|---|
| Sign Statutory Documents | Lodge annual reviews, ASIC forms, and other statutory documents on behalf of the company. |
| Regulatory Liaison | Act as the primary contact point for ASIC and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). |
| Compliance Oversight | Monitor that all tax lodgements, ASIC filings, and corporate deadlines are met on time. |
| Shareholder Reporting | Report compliance matters back to overseas shareholders and management as required. |
| Bank Account Setup | Assist with opening Australian business bank accounts where required. |
| Director ID Compliance | Hold a valid Australian Director Identification Number (DIN) from ABRS as required by law. |
Risks of non-compliance:
• ASIC penalties and fines for failing to appoint or maintain a resident director • Loss of good standing — ASIC may deregister your company • Inability to open business bank accounts or enter contracts in Australia • Personal liability for overseas directors for breaches of the Corporations Act • If a director resigns or moves overseas, you have only 28 days to appoint a replacement
What does a resident director do?
A resident director takes on formal legal responsibility for your company’s compliance in Australia. Under Australian law, all directors share certain duties regardless of whether they are nominee or executive directors. A professional resident director will:
Why choose us as your resident director?
As a qualified Australian accounting firm, we bring a level of professional rigour and commercial understanding that goes well beyond simply fulfilling a legal checkbox. Here’s what sets our service apart:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Professionally Qualified | Our resident directors are Chartered Accountants with deep expertise in Australian corporate law, tax, and ASIC regulatory compliance. |
| Strict Governance Controls | Written indemnities, defined limits of authority, and no access to company bank accounts or funds — your business stays fully in your control. |
| Deadline Management | We track every ASIC lodgement, tax deadline, and regulatory obligation so nothing slips through the cracks. |
| Integrated Accounting Services | Because we are a full-service accounting firm, we can also handle your BAS, tax returns, bookkeeping, and payroll — a one-stop solution. |
| Transparent Pricing | Fixed annual retainer with no hidden costs. We provide a clear proposal upfront based on your company type and compliance complexity. |
| Dedicated Point of Contact | A named professional is assigned to your account — you always know who is looking after your Australian compliance obligations. |
Ready to establish your Australian presence?
Whether you’re incorporating a new entity or need to replace a departing director urgently, we’re ready to act quickly and keep you compliant.
