What is the difference between a principal place of business and a registered office?

The principal place of business is where your company primarily operates—where the work happens. The registered office is the official address for receiving legal and regulatory documents. They can be the same, but often differ, especially when using an accountant or lawyer's office for formal notices.

Can I use a PO box as my company address?

You can only use a PO box for your mailing address. ASIC does not allow PO boxes for the registered office or principal place of business, as both require a physical street address in Australia.

Is someone required to be present at the registered office?

Yes. ASIC requires that someone be available at the registered office during standard business hours to receive legal documents. This is critical for compliance and legal validity.

Can I use my home address as my company’s principal place of business?

Yes. Many small businesses and start-ups use their home address as the principal place of business, particularly if it's where the company operates day-to-day.

Do I need to notify ASIC if my business address changes?

Yes. You must notify ASIC within 28 days of any change to your registered office or principal place of business using Form 484. Failure to update your address on time may result in fines or compliance breaches.

Can I use a virtual office as my registered office?

Yes, as long as the virtual office is a physical location and there is someone available during business hours to receive documents. ASIC accepts this setup if it meets the legal requirements.

What happens if ASIC can’t reach me at the registered office?

You may miss important legal or regulatory documents, which can lead to fines, legal default judgments, or even company deregistration. Keeping this address accurate and staffed is critical.

Can my accountant’s office be my registered office?

Yes. Many companies choose to use their accountant’s or lawyer’s office as their registered office. This is legal and often practical, as these professionals are already handling compliance and documentation.

Where can I register a company in Australia with the correct addresses?

You can register your company through the ASIC website or by using a professional service like Taxopia’s Company Registration Service, which ensures all required addresses are compliant from day one.

Can my company have multiple business locations?

Yes. While your ASIC record must list one principal place of business, your company can operate across multiple locations. Just ensure the official address listed is where the main operations occur.

Principal Place of Business, Registered Office, and Company Address in Australia: Know the Difference to Stay Compliant

If you’re starting or running a company in Australia, understanding the difference between your principal place of business, registered office address, and company address isn’t just administrative housekeeping—it’s essential for legal compliance and avoiding costly fines. It might sound bureaucratic, but messing this up can lead to serious issues with ASIC, including missed notices, penalties, or even deregistration.

This guide is here to make it simple, so you can focus on running your business—not decoding the Corporations Act.

What Is a Principal Place of Business?

The principal place of business is where your company physically carries out its operations. Think of it as the core location of your business activities—where the work happens, staff are based, goods are produced, or services are delivered.

Key rules:

Must be a physical location in Australia
Cannot be a PO box
Should accurately reflect where your business is being run from

Example: If you operate an e-commerce business from your home in Adelaide, then your home address is your principal place of business—even if your registered office is at your accountant’s office in Melbourne.

According to ASIC data, over 60% of Australian companies list a principal place of business that differs from their registered office. This is particularly common for businesses that outsource their compliance or use professional services for correspondence.

What Is a Registered Office Address?

Your registered office is the official address listed with ASIC for receiving legal notices, official correspondence, and regulatory documents. Unlike your business location, this address doesn’t have to be where you operate—it just has to meet ASIC’s legal criteria.

Requirements:

Must be a physical location in Australia (no PO boxes)
Someone must be present during normal business hours
You must notify ASIC within 28 days if the address changes

Many Australian companies choose to use their accountant, lawyer, or a virtual office provider as their registered office. In fact, around 40% of new Australian companies in 2023 opted to use third-party addresses for this purpose, especially when operating remotely or from home.

Company Address: What Does It Actually Mean?

Here’s where things get a little fuzzy. The term “company address” is often used loosely and can refer to:

The registered office address
The principal place of business
A mailing address (which can be a PO box)

So if a form or service asks for your “company address,” it’s best to clarify what they’re referring to. Don’t assume—it could lead to mail going missing or compliance problems.

Can I Use a Virtual Office Address in Australia?

Yes—but only under certain conditions.

A virtual office or serviced office can be used as a registered office, provided it meets ASIC’s standards:

A person must be available during normal business hours
The premises must accept deliveries of documents on your behalf

Using virtual offices has become increasingly popular. According to IBISWorld, the virtual office sector grew by 21% between 2020 and 2023 among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It’s particularly useful for start-ups, sole traders, or remote-first companies that need a professional presence without the cost of leasing office space.

What Happens If You Get It Wrong?

If you fail to meet ASIC’s address requirements, it can have serious consequences:

Failure to receive legal notices may lead to default judgements or missed deadlines
Non-compliance fines under the Corporations Act 2001
In extreme cases, company deregistration

In 2022, ASIC issued over 1,200 fines to companies that failed to update their registered office or provided incomplete information.

How Do You Update Your Company Address with ASIC?

Here’s how to stay compliant:

Log in to ASIC Connect with your company credentials.
Submit Form 484 – Change of Company Details.
Double-check the new address is valid (e.g. no PO boxes for registered office or business address).
Complete the update within 28 days of any change.

Most updates are processed in a few business days, and there’s no fee unless you’re filing late.

Comparison Table: Address Types Explained

Address Type	Physical Location Required	Receives Legal Docs	Can Be a PO Box?	Example
Principal Place of Business	Yes	No	No	Home office, retail shop
Registered Office	Yes	Yes	No	Accountant’s or lawyer’s office
Mailing Address	No	No	Yes	PO Box for correspondence

Get It Right From Day One

Setting up a company? One of the first steps is ensuring you register the correct addresses with ASIC. The easiest way to make sure you’re meeting all legal obligations is to use a professional service.

Check out Taxopia’s Company Registration Services — an affordable, compliant, and hassle-free way to register your company and get your address setup correct from day one.

They can assist with:

Registering your company with ASIC
Setting up a registered office address
Ensuring your business structure meets ATO and ASIC guidelines

Final Tips to Stay Compliant

Review your company records annually to ensure your addresses are current.
Avoid PO boxes for anything other than mailing.
Use a registered agent if you don’t have a fixed office.
Keep all changes documented and notify ASIC promptly.

Got questions or experiences to share about address confusion or ASIC updates? Leave a comment or get in touch — let’s demystify the paperwork and keep your company running smoothly.