How to reinstate a deregistered company (administrative reinstatement)

How to reinstate a deregistered company (administrative reinstatement)

If a company has been deregistered, certain people can apply to have it administratively reinstated by ASIC.
This process restores the company to the register as if it had never been deregistered.

Who can apply

Administrative reinstatement can only be requested by specific parties, such as:
  1. Former company officeholders
  2. Shareholders (members)
  3. Certain third parties with a valid reason
You can only apply for reinstatement under certain circumstances.

Info
The detailed eligibility requirements are set out in ASIC Regulatory Guide 83 – Reinstatement of companies (RG 83).

Important points before you apply
  1. Reinstatement can take time – the process can take up to 28 days or more once lodged.
  2. While the company is deregistered, it cannot conduct business.
  3. If you wish to use the company’s original name, you must check if it is still available before applying.
Company name availability

If you are an officeholder or member applying for reinstatement and want to keep the original company name:
  1. Check name availability via the ASIC website.
  2. If the name is still available, you can reserve it for two months using Form 410 – Application for Reservation of a Name.
  3. If the name is no longer available, ASIC will reinstate the company under its ACN plus the required legal ending (e.g. ACN 123 456 789 Pty Ltd).
How to apply as an officeholder or member

1. Estimate the Costs

You must pay:
  1. An application fee
  2. Any outstanding ASIC fees at the time of deregistration
  3. Annual review fees for each year the company was deregistered
Idea
ASIC provides a Reinstatement Cost Calculator (Microsoft Excel) to help estimate fees.

2. Request a detailed fee estimate

If you wish to proceed, send ASIC an online enquiry (select “Company” > “Reinstatement”) and provide:
  1. The deregistered company’s name and ACN
  2. Your relationship to the company
  3. Your full name (or the name of the officeholder/member you represent)
  4. Your registered agent number and firm name (if applicable)
Info
ASIC will email you a breakdown of fees within 28 days.

3. Complete the application

Fill out Form 581 – Application for ASIC Reinstatement and gather any supporting documents required.
Notes
If you are acting on behalf of a former officeholder or member, they must sign the application.

4. Pay the fees

Use ASIC’s available payment methods to pay the amount provided in your fee estimate.

5. Submit the application

Send your completed Form 581 and supporting documents to:

Reinstatement Applications
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
PO Box 4000
GIPPSLAND MAIL CENTRE VIC 3841

How to apply as a third party

1. Gather Evidence

You must provide proof that:
  1. Legal proceedings involving the company had already commenced before deregistration, or
  2. The company had unpaid debts at the time of deregistration
2. Complete the application

Fill out Form 581 – Application for ASIC Reinstatement and include your supporting evidence.

3. Pay the fee

The current fee for a third-party reinstatement application is $50, payable by cheque.

4. Submit the application

Send the completed form, evidence, and cheque to:

Reinstatement Applications
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
PO Box 4000
GIPPSLAND MAIL CENTRE VIC 3841

Alert
Processing time & what to expect
  1. ASIC may take up to 28 days to review your application once received.
  2. If ASIC requires more information, they will contact you. Providing additional details will extend the processing time.
  3. Once approved, the company is treated as though it was never deregistered.

If you need assistance with the reinstatement process or preparing your application, we recommend reviewing ASIC’s Regulatory Guide 83 or contacting ASIC directly for further clarification.
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