For Foreign Companies in Australia

Resident Director Services — Your Trusted Local Compliance Partner

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Expanding into Australia? The law requires every Australian-registered company to have at least one director who ordinarily resides in the country. We provide qualified, experienced resident directors to keep your business fully compliant with ASIC and the Corporations Act 2001 — so you can focus on growing your business.

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?

Initial Consultation

We discuss your business structure, country of origin, and specific compliance needs. We assess whether a resident director is required and what additional services may be relevant.

Service Agreement & Deed of Indemnity

We prepare a formal resident director service agreement and deed of indemnity. This clearly defines the scope, authority limits, fees, and protections for both parties — the director has no access to company funds.

Document Collection

We collect required documents: company registration certificate, ID and proof of address for directors and shareholders, company constitution, and a board resolution authorising the appointment.

ASIC Lodgement & Appointment

We prepare and lodge all appointment documentation with ASIC, update statutory registers, and ensure the director’s details are correctly recorded — typically completed within 2–5 business days.

Ongoing Compliance Management

We provide continuous compliance monitoring — signing annual reviews, tracking ASIC deadlines, liaising with the ATO, and reporting back to your head office. We notify ASIC within 28 days of any changes.

Transition or Resignation

When you appoint your own local director or no longer require the service, we manage a smooth transition — preparing ASIC notifications and handing over all statutory records to you.

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.