Why Using Your Home Address for an Australian Company Is Risky (And What to Do Instead)
When you register a company in Australia, you must provide two addresses to ASIC:
- Registered Office Address
- Principal Place of Business
Many new business owners use their home address for both. It seems simple, cheap, and fast. However, using your home address can lead to privacy risks, legal issues, and problems with government mail. This guide explains why using your home address is risky, what the law says, and what safer options you can choose instead. This information applies to companies in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, and Tasmania.
1. Your Home Address Becomes Public Information
One of the biggest risks is that ASIC publishes your Registered Office Address in public records. Anyone can look it up online.
Fact: ASIC’s public company register shows the registered office address of every Australian company. This database is searchable by anyone in the world.
This means your home address is visible to:
– customers
– suppliers
– strangers
– marketers
– scammers
– debt collectors
If you value your privacy or safety, using your home address is not a good idea.
2. Your Home May Receive Legal or Government Mail
ASIC, the ATO, and other government bodies send important letters to the Registered Office Address. These letters may include annual statements, compliance reminders, penalty notices, ATO warnings, and legal documents.
If you miss these letters, ASIC may charge late fees. Fact: ASIC’s late fees increase the longer you ignore notices. Fees can double if ignored for more than 30 days.
Many business owners don’t check their home mail often, or they move and forget to update ASIC. This can lead to missed deadlines, extra penalties, or even company deregistration.
3. Your Family’s Safety and Privacy Are at Risk
When your home address is public, it puts you and your family at risk. Common risks include:
– strangers visiting your home
– unhappy customers showing up
– unsolicited mail
– marketing letters
– loss of privacy
Home-based businesses often do not realize how much personal information they reveal until something goes wrong.
4. You May Attract Unwanted Business Visitors
Under the Corporations Act, ASIC can send inspectors or government officers to your Registered Office Address during business hours. If your Registered Office is your home, this means government officers may come to your door. This can be stressful and uncomfortable for families.
5. Your Business May Look Less Professional
For many industries, a home address can make your company seem:
- small
- unprepared
- unreliable
- temporary
Clients and investors often prefer to work with companies that have:
- a commercial address
- a professional location
- a clear business presence
Using a home address may decrease trust and credibility, especially for new companies.
6. Moving Homes Creates Compliance Problems
If you move house, you must update ASIC within 28 days.
ASIC charges late fees if you don’t update your address on time.
If you forget to update your home address:
- ASIC mail will go to the old house.
- New tenants may receive your private documents.
- You may miss fines or legal notices.
- Your company may be marked as non-compliant.
Address-related mistakes are one of the most common reasons for penalties.
7. Overseas Directors Cannot Use Their Home Address Outside Australia
For overseas directors, a Registered Office Address must be in Australia. This means foreign directors cannot use their home address from abroad. A professional Registered Office Address is the only secure option.
8. What You Should Use Instead — A Professional Registered Office Address
The safest option is a professional Registered Office Address service, like the one offered by AMA Accountants. Here is why:
1. Your Home Address Stays Private
You protect your identity and your family’s privacy.
2. You Never Miss Government Mail
All ASIC mail is:
received
scanned
emailed to you directly
You will always know about deadlines and compliance updates.
3. It Meets All ASIC Rules
A professional address:
is a physical Australian address
is open to receive documents
meets all company law requirements
4. You Look More Professional
A commercial address gives clients more confidence in your business.
5. It Works for Any Location
AMA Accountants provides Registered Office Address services in:
Adelaide
Sydney
Melbourne
Perth
Brisbane
Canberra
Darwin
Tasmania
You can live anywhere. Your company will still have a strong and secure presence.
9. When Should You Switch to a Professional Address?
- You should switch if you work from home.
- You have overseas directors.
- You do not want public exposure.
- You want a more professional image.
- You want help with ASIC mail.
- You want to avoid penalties.
Ready to Secure Your Australian Registered Office Address?
Using your home address might seem simple, but it can lead to ongoing issues with privacy, compliance, professionalism, and security. A professional Registered Office Address eliminates these risks. It protects your home, helps your company meet regulations, and makes sure you don’t miss important ASIC notices.
📞 +61 (0)420 529 890
📧 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.
