Deregistering a company in Australia is a way to formally close a company that has stopped trading and has no significant assets or debts.
This is different from winding up a company that still has liabilities or more complex affairs.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to deregister a company Australia-wide in 2026, including company deregistration requirements, the ASIC deregistration process, timelines, costs, and common mistakes to avoid.
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Understanding what it means to deregister a company
When you deregister a company, ASIC removes it from the companies register, and the company ceases to exist as a separate legal entity.
This means directors are no longer required to meet ongoing obligations, such as annual review fees or company statements, and the business can no longer trade in its own name.
Voluntary ASIC deregistration typically applies to:
- Dormant companies
- Side businesses that never launched
- Companies that have stopped trading
- Simple company closures without debts and assets that are under the ASIC threshold (currently less than 1,000 AUD).
Requirements to deregister a company (ASIC requirements)
Before deregistering, make sure you meet the following criteria:
- All shareholders agree to deregister.
- The company has stopped trading.
- Assets are under 1,000 AUD.
- No debts or liabilities.
- All ASIC fees are paid.
- All tax returns and BAS/IAS are lodged.
- No ongoing legal proceedings.
- All bank accounts are closed.
- All employee pay and superannuation are finalised.
When to deregister a company
Deregistration is appropriate when the company has no ongoing business activities, no outstanding liabilities, and you no longer need the company structure.
It suits situations where:
- The company never traded, and you no longer intend to use it.
- The business closed, and all debts, employee entitlements, and tax obligations have been paid.
- The company structure is no longer needed (for example, a one-off project entity).
- A startup did not launch or was abandoned before trading.
- A contractor or consultant moves back from a company to operating as a sole trader.
Deregistration won’t work if your company has unpaid creditors, open legal disputes, substantial assets, or complex tax issues. If so, a formal wind-up may be more suitable.
Deregister vs wind up vs close a business
The various terms used for finalising business operations can be confusing. Here are the key differences:
| Action | When to use | Company debts | Cost | Complexity |
| Deregister a company | The company is inactive with no debts, minimal assets | No | Low (ASIC fee plus advice) | Simple |
| Wind up a company | The company has debts or needs formal liquidation | Yes | High (liquidator and legal fees) | Complex |
| Close a business | Stop trading but keep or change the structure (e.g. ABN) | Maybe | Low–medium (advice and lodgements) | Medium |
Ultimately, you can:
- Deregister a company: You apply for voluntary deregistration with ASIC using Form 6010 when the company is not trading, has assets under 1,000 AUD, has no debts, and all members agree.
- Wind up a company: Use this option when there are creditors, disputes, or significant assets. You’ll usually have a liquidator to collect assets, pay creditors, and formally wind up the company.
- Close a business: You stop trading, cancel registrations (such as ABN and GST), and may keep the structure (for example, keep the company dormant, or just cease a sole trader business) without immediate deregistration.
How to deregister a company (step-by-step)
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to deregister a company in Australia using Form 6010:
1. Confirm the company is eligible for deregistration
Check that the company is not trading, has assets under 1,000 AUD, no debts, and meets all ASIC criteria for voluntary deregistration.
2. Finalise company tax and financial obligations
Prepare final financial statements, lodge all outstanding tax returns and BAS, and pay any tax liabilities or super contributions.
3. Close bank accounts and distribute assets
Sell or transfer any remaining assets, pay any final expenses, and distribute any surplus funds to shareholders before closing the bank accounts.
4. Obtain shareholder approval
Have all members pass a resolution approving voluntary deregistration, and keep written evidence (such as minutes or a signed resolution).
5. Complete ASIC Form 6010
Fill in the deregister company ASIC Form 6010 with the company’s details, confirm the eligibility statements, and have it signed by a director or authorised person.
6. Submit the deregistration application to ASIC
Lodge Form 6010 online via ASIC’s portal or by other accepted methods and pay the applicable ASIC fee.
7. Wait for ASIC confirmation and publication
ASIC will review the application and, if accepted, publish a notice of the proposed deregistration on its notices website.
8. Receive a company deregistration status after the ASIC notice period
After the notice period (typically around two months) passes without objection, ASIC will deregister the company and update its status on the register to “Deregistered”.
During the ASIC notice period, creditors or interested parties can object to the deregistration if there are outstanding issues, which may delay or prevent the deregistration.
The time it takes to deregister a company
The total time to deregister a company depends on how quickly you can meet eligibility requirements and ASIC’s processing time.
Once you lodge Form 6010 and pay the fee, ASIC will process the application and then publish a notice of proposed deregistration with a mandatory notice period of around two months.
Delays occur if there are outstanding fees, incomplete forms, tax issues, or objections from creditors or other interested parties during the notice period. As such, it’s critical to ensure you meet all the requirements before you lodge.
The cost of deregistering a company in Australia
The ASIC fee to deregister a company in Australia is currently $50. However, you may incur additional costs such as:
- Accountant fees for preparing final financials, tax returns, and BAS.
- Legal advice, for example, if there are shareholder disputes, past transactions, or potential claims.
- Any outstanding ASIC annual review fees or penalties that must be paid before deregistration.
- Tax lodgement costs and bookkeeping to bring records up to date.
Many professional services offer fixed-fee packages to manage deregistration, which can range from a few hundred to around one thousand dollars, depending on complexity.
Checklist before deregistering your company
Use this practical checklist before starting the ASIC deregistration process:
- Finalise all company income tax returns and ensure assessments are issued.
- Lodge all outstanding BAS and other ATO forms.
- Pay all tax debts, trade creditors, employee entitlements, and loans.
- Close all company bank accounts and ensure balances are zero.
- Cancel any business names registered to the company.
- Cancel GST, PAYG withholding, and other tax registrations that apply.
- Notify employees and contractors, and complete final pays and super.
- Distribute remaining assets to shareholders in line with shareholdings.
- Obtain shareholder (member) approval to deregister the company.
- Complete ASIC Form 6010 – Application for voluntary deregistration of a company.
If these conditions are not met, ASIC may reject or delay voluntary deregistration. Seek professional compliance advice on how to wind up your company instead.
Your company has been deregistered: What’s next?
Once ASIC deregisters your company, it no longer exists as a legal entity and can’t enter into contracts, trade, or hold assets in its own name. The company’s name becomes available; this means someone else might eventually use it for their business, unless it’s protected by trade mark or other IP rights.
Directors and officeholders are released from ongoing company obligations. However, they may still be liable for breaches that occurred before deregistration. Company bank accounts should already be closed by this stage.
In some circumstances, a deregistered company can be reinstated (for example, by court order or ASIC) so it exists again as if it had not been deregistered.
Common mistakes when deregistering a company
Avoid these common mistakes when using the ASIC deregister company process:
- Applying to deregister a company with outstanding debts or unresolved creditor claims
- Failing to lodge final income tax returns or BAS before applying
- Overlooking unpaid ASIC annual review fees or penalties
- Not cancelling GST, PAYG or other tax registrations once trading stops
- Forgetting to close bank accounts and leaving small balances or direct debits running
- Not distributing remaining assets to shareholders before deregistration
- Confusing deregistration with winding up and choosing the wrong process for a company that still has liabilities
Taking the time to complete a thorough pre-deregistration review with an advisor can prevent these issues and reduce the risk of later disputes or reinstatement applications.
FAQ
Can I deregister a company with debts?
Generally, you can’t use the voluntary deregistration ASIC option if the company has outstanding debts or other liabilities. In these cases, you’ll usually need a formal wind-up or restructuring process to appropriately deal with creditors before closing.
How long does ASIC deregistration take?
After you lodge Form 6010 and ASIC accepts your application, it publishes a notice of the proposed deregistration and allows a notice period of about two months for objections. If there are no issues or objections, the company will be deregistered shortly thereafter.
Can a deregistered company be reinstated?
Yes, in some cases, a deregistered company can be reinstated, either administratively by ASIC or by a court order where certain conditions are met.
Final thoughts
Deregistering a company in Australia is a simple, low-cost way to close a clean, debt-free company you no longer need. Still, it must be done carefully to avoid future issues.
Lawpath can help you confirm eligibility, prepare ASIC Form 6010, manage your tax and compliance obligations, and choose between deregister vs wind-up company options so you can close your business structure with confidence. Speak with a Lawpath lawyer or use our online tools to get started today.
