Written by
Akira Singh
Reviewed by
Company names usually end with the suffix ‘Pty Ltd’, ‘Ltd’, and ‘NL’. Although they may just look like letters, these letters determine what liability your company has.
When you register a company, you must include either Proprietary Limited, Limited or No Liability in the name. The suffix your company has will depend on what type of company it is. To misuse these titles is a very serious matter and would constitute a breach of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). If you breach this Act, you will face penalties from ASIC.
Only registered companies can use Pty Ltd, Ltd, and NL. This is because registered companies are considered to be a distinct legal entity, separate from their directors. This means that you will not be personally liable for any company losses or debts.
Need specialised advice regarding your company?
Contact a Lawpath consultant on 1800 529 728 to learn more about company registration, customising legal documents, obtaining a fixed-fee quote from our network of 600+ expert lawyers or to get answers to your legal questions.
Conversely, you will be liable for any losses if your business is not incorporated. For example, if you run a business as a sole trader, you are the legal entity responsible for the business.
Learn about the differences in liabilities for companies below.
What does Pty Ltd mean?
Pty Ltd” stands for “Proprietary Limited.” It denotes a private company with limited liability, where shareholders’ responsibilities are restricted to their investment. This structure is commonly used in Australia indicating that shares cannot be offered to the general public.
This type of company may only have up to 50 shareholders, and they are private. Private companies are only required to have 1 director. They are regulated by ASIC. The transfer of shares has to be done via the consent of the shareholders, and shares cannot be offered to the public or fundraised (subject to certain specifications).
Small and large companies
The Corporations Act differentiates between small and large proprietary companies. A proprietary company is small if its yearly revenue is below $25 million, if the value of the company’s gross assets is less than $12.5 million, and if it has less than 50 employees. A proprietary company is large if its annual revenue is $25 million or more, if the value of the gross assets is more than $12.5 million, and if it has more than 50 employees. There is also a difference between Pty Ltd and Pty. Proprietary limited companies (Pty Ltd) are limited by shares. On the other hand, unlimited proprietary companies (Pty) have share capital and shareholder liability is not limited.
What does Ltd mean?
“Ltd” stands for “Limited” and refers to a company structure where shareholders’ liability is limited to the amount they invested. It is commonly used in many countries to denote private or public limited companies, protecting owners from personal financial risk beyond their shareholdings.
Limited liability companies are public companies, which means the public has a certain amount of ownership. Public companies may generate revenue in this way, whereas private companies cannot. ASIC requires limited companies to lodge their annual accounts with them. Public companies must have at least 3 directors. Unlike proprietary companies, public companies may have as many shareholders as they like. Proprietary companies tend only to provide shares to a select number of people. ASIC and APRA regulate these companies. Finally, public companies may list their shares on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
What does NL mean?
Although this type of company is very specific, it is still worth noting. NL means No Liability, and it refers to a public company in the Australian mining industry. Due to the financial risk that mining involves, it is government policy to allow shareholders in these mining companies to be exempt from liability to pay calls on unpaid shares.
Conclusion
Differences in legal jargon can be confusing. This is especially the case when the differences are so important and will determine how you run your business. Hopefully this guide has given you a greater understanding of the types of companies and their requirements. If you are still unsure, contact a business lawyer or a commercial lawyer.
Get a fixed-fee quote from Australia's largest lawyer marketplace.
