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What to Do With Unofficial ASIC Business Name Renewal Emails

If you’ve recently received an email or letter asking you to renew your business name or complete a company review, don’t rush to make a payment. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has warned business owners about unsolicited business name renewal notices from third-party service providers that can look remarkably similar to official ASIC correspondence.

While some of these providers offer legitimate services, their notices can cause confusion, particularly when they resemble invoices or suggest that immediate payment is required.

The message is simple: before paying an unexpected ASIC-related notice, check whether it came from ASIC, whether the renewal or review is actually due, and whether your existing accountant or registered agent is already managing it.

Why Are Businesses Receiving Unofficial ASIC Business Name Renewal Notices?

ASIC maintains Australia’s registers of companies and business names. Businesses are required to meet certain registration and reporting obligations, including renewing registered business names and completing annual company reviews where applicable.

However, ASIC isn’t the only organisation that can offer assistance with these processes. Third-party service providers may contact businesses offering to manage renewals or company reviews on their behalf. Some are registered ASIC agents, but that doesn’t mean their unsolicited correspondence is issued or endorsed by ASIC.

These providers may obtain publicly available business information from ASIC registers and use it to prepare notices containing your business name, registration details or upcoming renewal dates.

Because the information is accurate and the presentation may look official, it’s easy to mistake these communications for something you must pay.

Importantly, you don’t have to engage an unsolicited third-party provider to complete an ASIC renewal or company review.

How Can You Recognise an Unofficial ASIC Business Name Renewal Notice?

ASIC has identified several characteristics that may indicate correspondence is an unsolicited offer rather than an official notice.

Be cautious if the communication:

• Resembles an invoice, despite being an optional service offer.
• Requests payment well before your actual renewal date.
• Uses urgent language, short deadlines or discounts to encourage immediate payment.
• Includes fees without clearly separating the ASIC registration fee from the provider’s additional service charge.
• Contains publicly available business details to create an impression of official authority.

An unofficial notice isn’t automatically fraudulent. A third-party provider may genuinely offer to complete the transaction for you.

The concern is whether the communication makes that optional service clear, particularly when you may already have an accountant or registered agent handling these responsibilities.

How Does ASIC Normally Contact Businesses?

This is an important distinction, especially for McKinley Plowman clients. ASIC issues official renewal reminders and annual review correspondence through its established channels, typically via email. However, the recipient of these comms depends on the type of registration and the contact details recorded with ASIC.

Business Name Renewals: ASIC generally sends business name renewal reminders to the email address associated with the business name registration. If your accountant or another authorised person originally registered the business name using their contact details, they may receive the official reminder rather than you. ASIC ordinarily issues business name renewal reminders around 30 days before the renewal date.

Company Annual Reviews: For companies, ASIC sends the annual statement to one nominated destination, giving priority to the company’s appointed registered agent. If no registered agent is appointed, correspondence may be delivered through the company’s ASIC online account or its recorded address details. This means you shouldn’t assume that every genuine ASIC notice must arrive in your personal inbox.

Where McKinley Plowman is authorised to manage the relevant ASIC obligations for your business, our team can help confirm whether a renewal, annual review or update is required.

What Should You Do If You Receive an Unexpected Notice?

Rather than paying immediately, take a few minutes to verify the correspondence.

1. Check the sender. Official ASIC emails use addresses ending in @asic.gov.au. Be wary of similar-looking addresses, unfamiliar domains and payment links.
2. Confirm the due date. Check your registration status through ASIC’s official website. A notice received months before your renewal date may be an optional third-party offer.
3. Compare the fees. ASIC publishes its registration and renewal fees. An amount above the official fee may include an additional third-party service charge.
4. Check with your existing accountant or agent. If McKinley Plowman manages your business’s ASIC requirements, contact our team to establish whether anything needs attention.
5. Don’t use an unfamiliar payment link until you’ve verified it. Access ASIC’s services independently through its official website rather than relying on links in unexpected correspondence.

If a notice claims to be from ASIC but appears suspicious, ASIC also provides channels for reporting potential impersonation scams.

Do You Still Need to Renew Your Business Name?

Yes, where a genuine renewal is due and you intend to continue using the registered business name. Business names can generally be renewed for one or three years, and failing to renew may result in cancellation of the registration.

The key is to distinguish between a genuine registration obligation and an unsolicited offer to complete that obligation for an additional fee.

You can deal directly with ASIC or use your existing authorised agent. There is no requirement to appoint a new provider simply because they have contacted you.

Unsure About an ASIC Business Name Renewal Notice?

Unexpected regulatory correspondence can be confusing, particularly when it appears to require urgent action or payment. At McKinley Plowman, we help business clients understand their accounting, taxation and relevant ASIC administration obligations, including identifying when an official renewal or company review requires attention.

If you’ve received an unfamiliar business name renewal email, company review notice or request to update your business details, contact our team before making a payment. We can help you establish whether the correspondence is official, whether any genuine obligation is outstanding, and what action is appropriate.

Contact McKinley Plowman on (08) 9301 2200 or get in touch with our team.

Further Reading: https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/unsolicited-business-name-renewal-and-company-review-notices

written by:

Dominic Rollerson

Dominic has over 25 years of experience in working alongside business owners in both Australia and the United Kingdom including a number of years working in commerce. With a high level of expertise in business structuring, business acquisitions/disposals and business planning, coupled with a broad range of experience in dealing with businesses from start-ups through to listed companies, on both an Australian and international basis, Dominic has amassed a wealth of experience in understanding what makes a great business and focusses on partnering with businesses in an action focussed, yet light hearted manner.
Dominic is a member of the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Australia, a Chartered Tax Advisor, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.