Australia — governance guide

A practitioner reference for Australia, generated from the GovernOS rules engine. Always current with the jurisdiction packs.

At a glance

Legal systemCommon law
Filing languageen
AGM notice period21 clear days
Coverage tierT2 ruled

Regulators & portals

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

Company registry · API filing

Filing portal →

Entity types

Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd)

min 1 director(s)

Public Company Limited by Shares (Ltd)

min 3 director(s) · secretary required · can be public

How to — common actions & what each requires

Add director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Resolution — Appointment of Director; Consent to Act as Director

Filings

ASIC-Form-484 (due T+28d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.201G, 205B

File annual return
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Directors Solvency Resolution

Filings

ASIC-Annual-Review (due T+0d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s.347A

Remove director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Resolution — Removal of Director

Filings

ASIC-Form-484 (due T+28d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.203C, 203D, 205B

Appoint officer
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Officer; Consent to Act as Officer / Secretary

Filings

ASIC-Form-484 (due T+28d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.204A, 204D, 205B

Issue shares
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Issue of Shares; Share Certificate

Filings

ASIC-Form-484 (due T+28d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.254A, 254X

Transfer shares
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Share Transfer Form; Share Certificate (transferee)

Filings

none

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.1071B, 1072F

Create ESOP
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Employee Share / Option Plan Rules; Board Resolution — Adoption of Employee Share Scheme

Filings

none

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Part 7.12 Div 1A (employee share schemes)

Grant options
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Option Grant Agreement

Filings

ASIC-Form-484 (due T+28d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.170, Part 7.12 Div 1A

Approve financing
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Financing Round; Special Resolution — New Share Class & Allotment; Subscription Agreement

Filings

ASIC-Form-2205 (due T+14d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.246B, 254A, 254X

Approve dividend
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Declaration of Dividend

Filings

none

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.254T, 254U

Create subsidiary
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Incorporation of Subsidiary

Filings

ASIC-Form-201 (due T+0d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s.117

Amend constitution
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Modification of Constitution

Filings

ASIC-Form-205 (due T+14d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.136, 137

Change company name
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Change of Company Name

Filings

ASIC-Form-205 (due T+14d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.157, 136

File beneficial ownership
Approvals

Documents

Register of Members — Beneficial Ownership Extract

Filings

ASIC-Form-484 (due T+28d)

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.169, 672A (tracing of beneficial ownership)

Approve audit / accounts
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Directors Declaration & Approval of Financial Report; Resolution — Appointment of Auditor

Filings

none

Authority

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss.295, 327A (audit & financial reports)

Reference only — not legal advice. Rule packs are directionally accurate and being legally validated per jurisdiction.