InFocus April 2026 - Volume 35 Issue 3
- Simplification update – more forms enabled for email lodgements
- RegistryConnect: Stabilising and uplifting ASIC’s business registers
- Understanding multiple late fees — and how to avoid them
- New dashboard highlights complaints across financial services
- Meet the new Moneysmart.gov.au
- Learn about Intellectual Property with the IP Australia Podcast
Simplification update – more forms enabled for email lodgements
We have enabled another 30 paper forms that can now be submitted via email. This builds upon the 35 forms enabled for email lodgement last year.
From 31 March, lodgement by email expands to include additional forms. This gives you greater flexibility and helps reduce reliance on paper. Email lodgement is faster and more convenient, while posting remains available for those who prefer it.
Which forms have been added to the list?
There’s a full list of forms that can be emailed on our website.
Here are the forms added on 31 March:
You can only lodge the Form 388 Copy of financial statements and reports by email if you’re unable to lodge online. This many occur if:
- You receive an error message, or
- System limitations prevent online lodgement.
If any of the above apply to you, please contact us.
How do I lodge via email?
Visit our how to lodge for step-by-step instructions.
What’s next?
More forms will be made available for email lodgements in a few months. This is part of ASIC’s ongoing simplification work to make it easier for you to interact with us. You can read more about our simplification initiatives on our website.
RegistryConnect: Stabilising and uplifting ASIC’s business registers
Through the RegistryConnect program, ASIC will deliver enhancements to stabilise and secure the registers to significantly reduce technology and cyber-security risks, while delivering new functionality.
What’s coming in 2026
Expected from June, we are launching a refreshed ASIC Companies Register search service for the public with a simpler and more intuitive online search experience, making company information easier to access.
This is the first of several releases and will focus on free company register search information only.
New Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) will be released to Information Brokers using machine to machine channels. New APIs for Digital Service Providers will follow later in 2026.
From December, we will continue to expand the ASIC Companies Register search service to include search products available to purchase, such as company extracts and copies of lodged documents.
New APIs will be provided for the remainder of company register information available in search products, as well as enhanced authentication, identity management and a new developer portal.
Looking ahead to 2027, further improvements are planned for ASIC’s search services, including person search, the professional registers and linking of director ID.
We will continue to share updates as changes progress.
Learn more on our website.
Understanding multiple late fees — and how to avoid them
Some companies are surprised to find that one missed update can sometimes lead to more than one late fee. This usually isn’t because they’ve done something twice, but because they’ve missed multiple deadlines for different legal responsibilities.
Here’s how it works and how to prevent it.
Basic officeholder responsibilities
Company officeholders need to tell us about changes to their company details – like an address, a director or the share structure – within 28 days of the change.
They also need to check and confirm their company details each year as part of their annual review.
Each of these obligations has its own deadline.
Why multiple late fees can apply
Because these obligations are separate, missing more than one deadline can mean more than one late fee.
- If changes aren’t notified within 28 days after they occur, a late lodgement fee will apply.
- As well as a late lodgement fee, if the company also didn’t update their details within 28 days of their annual review after the change occurred - both a late lodgement fee and a late review fee may apply.
- If details remain outdated, late review fees can continue to apply in future annual review cycles until the information is corrected.
- Separately, if you don’t pay the annual review fee on time, a late payment fee may apply.
Examples – Forgetful company director John
- One missed update – one late fee
- John changes his company’s registered office address but only notifies ASIC after 28 days.
- He eventually updates the address late, but before the company’s annual review is due.
- A late lodgement fee applies to the transaction he uses to update the address.
- One missed change – two late fees
- John moves house but forgets to tell ASIC.
- He doesn’t update the change within 28 days.
- He also doesn’t correct it during the company’s annual review later that year.
- Because both deadlines were missed - a late lodgement fee applies to the transaction he uses to update the address over a year later, as well as a late review fee for the annual review which he didn’t properly complete.
- One missed change over time can add up – many late fees
- John’s co-director leaves the company, but he forgets to tell ASIC.
- He doesn’t update the change within 28 days.
- He also hasn’t corrected it during multiple annual reviews.
- Because the obligation to review the company details each year was missed multiple times, a late review fee for each annual review he didn’t complete will apply, as well as the late lodgement fee.
How to avoid multiple late fees altogether
- Notify us of changes within 28 days, and
- Review company details and pay the annual review fee on time each year.
For more information, visit Late fees.
New dashboard highlights complaints across financial services
ASIC has launched a new interactive Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) data dashboard, giving Australians unprecedented access to consumer complaints data across the financial services sector.
For the first time, users can compare complaints reported by individual financial firms, including how complaints are handled for specific products such as home loans, credit cards, insurance and financial advice. The dashboard shows complaint trends, outcomes, resolution timeframes, and remedies paid.
The dashboard also includes guidance to help you navigate and interpret the data, clear definitions of key terms, and an explanation of the methodology used.
It complements Australia Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA’s) external dispute resolution reporting and ASIC’s Reportable Situations dashboard, helping to provide a more complete picture of how complaints are handled across the financial system.
Explore the IDR dashboard to understand complaints trends and outcomes.
Meet the new Moneysmart.gov.au
It’s been 15 years since ASIC first launched Moneysmart with the goal of helping Australians to make informed financial decisions. Moneysmart has been refreshed with a modern design and an improved digital experience, making it easier for Australians to access clear, independent financial guidance when it matters most.
The updated website features refreshed content and improved digital tools – all designed to help people quickly find information they can recognise and trust with confidence.
When supporting clients with financial decisions, the new-look Moneysmart provides a reliable way to sense-check information your clients may be seeing elsewhere.
Visit the new Moneysmart to explore practical tools and guidance you can confidently use or direct your clients to.
Spotlight article from other Government departments or industries
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