InFocus August 2025 - Volume 34 Issue 7

• Fee Indexation: Transitional arrangements end 31 July
• ASIC online keys explained: How to tell them apart
• Appointing a company officeholder requires consent – help us spread the word!  
• ASIC Website refresh: Easier access to lodgement portals 
• Guide to protecting your business

Fee Indexation: Transitional arrangements end 31 July

The Fee Indexation transitional arrangements ended on 31 July 2025. 

This means, all applications and documents received by us must be lodged with the correct fee amount.  

For a list of our current fees, visit Fees for commonly lodged documents.  

For more information about fee indexation, visit our website. 

ASIC online keys explained: How to tell them apart

To update your details with us, you’ll need a unique key. These keys protect identities and ensure only authorised individuals can access and update information on our registers. 

Different keys serve different purposes depending on the register, portal, or service used. 

Here’s a quick guide: 

Unique key	Purpose	Where to find it
ASIC key (11-digit number      e.g. (1-2345678911)	Used to link your business name to your ASIC Connect account for business name holders and by Australian financial services (AFS) licensees to link to their AFS licence to manage financial adviser and authorised representative appointments.	Included in registration or renewal notices sent to your business email or service address.    This ASIC key is used in ASIC Connect and the ASIC Regulatory Portal
Corporate key (8-digit number e.g. 00011100)	Used by officeholders and registered agents to register for online access to make changes to company details, including lodging documents and receiving annual company statements online.	Sent to registered office when the company is registered or with annual statements, this key can be found on the top right-hand corner of the annual statement.    This Corporate key is used in the company officeholder portal and ASIC Regulatory Portal.
Invitation key (32- alphanumeric key e.g. a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-gh12-ijklmnopqrst	Used by an invited trusted third-party to register for or connect a user to an entity in the ASIC Regulatory Portal and valid for 48 hours from the time it’s issued.	Sent by email when an administrator/senior administrator (user) invites another user to connect to an entity via the ASIC Regulatory Portal.    The Invitation key is used in the ASIC Regulatory Portal.
Security key (7-digit number i.e. 1234567)	Used by an officeholder, licensee, or professional registration holder to connect to an entity in the ASIC Regulatory Portal.  Issued by ASIC to entities that are part of its regulated population for use in managing regulatory obligations via the ASIC Regulatory Portal.	Sent to the company’s registered office or principal place of practice with instructions to register to the ASIC Regulatory Portal and submit the entity’s industry funding annual return, which may include business activity metrics.      The Security key is used in the ASIC Regulatory Portal.

These keys are essential for ensuring secure, accurate, and authorised access to ASIC’s registers and services. Each key serves a distinct purpose and is tied to specific user roles and transaction types and must be always kept secure and confidential.  

Learn more about online keys. 

Appointing a company officeholder requires consent – help us spread the word! 

Being appointed as a company officeholder (director or secretary) requires written, informed consent and we need your help to ensure this message reaches those who need it. 

Why this matters? 

Individuals are sometimes appointed into officeholder roles without their knowledge or full understanding of the legal responsibilities involved. This can result in serious consequences, including personal liability for company actions, even after resignation. 

What needs to be shared? 

We want to ensure: 

• No one is unknowingly listed as officeholders. 

• Those who do consent understand their obligations. 

How you can help 

If you’re a registered agent, legal advisor, accountant, business consultant, or community educator: 

• Encourage clients to understand their obligations before accepting officeholder roles. 

• Share what steps to take if someone has been appointed without their consent. 

By helping us spread the word, you’re protecting individuals from unintended legal risk and promoting transparency in company governance—because every appointment must begin with informed consent. 

Visit our website to learn more about ‘If you did not consent to be a company officeholder’. 

ASIC Website refresh: Easier access to lodgement portals  

We recently launched a refreshed website with improved navigation, making it easier to manage your lodgement needs. 

From the homepage, you can now access a dedicated ASIC Portals page in one click. 

This page helps you identify the right portal based on your role—whether you're a: 

• Business name holder 

• Company officeholder 

• Registered agent or authorised lodger 

• AFS or credit licensee/representative 

• Auditor, SMSF auditor, or liquidator 

Each section includes tailored guidance, login access, and helpful resources like user guides and FAQs—all in one place. 

Visit the ASIC website to explore the new layout and learn more about the portals. 

Spotlight article from other Government departments or industries

Guide to protecting your business  The business.gov.au has launched the ‘Guide to protecting your business’ webpage. If you’re not prepared, unexpected events can have a serious impact on your business. The guide steps you through the main things to do to plan ahead and build your business’s resilience.  Get started today by visiting business.gov.au/protecting