A Corporate Key of a company is issued by Australian securities and Investment commission (ASIC). Corporate key is an 8 Digit number uniquely associated with the Company’s Australian Company Number (A.C.N).
Corporate key is normally issued within 2 days from the date of registration of the company and is sent to the registered office of the company. The Directors of the company can request the corporate key to be sent to another address, this request can be made online or by phone on 1300 300 630 to ASIC.
By using the Corporate Key, Directors can view, on ASIC’s website, all company records lodged and lodge various forms and receive online annual statement of the company.
When is Corporate Key required?
Directors must quote their company’s Corporate Key at the time of lodging the following Forms with ASIC:
- Form 362 with regard to Notification of appointment or cessation of a registered agent of the company.
- Form 484 with regard to Change to Company details.
- Form 486 with regard to Notification to nominate, change or cease a contact address for a company.
Lost or new Corporate Key.
If Directors of the company lose the corporate key or feels that the security of the corporate key has been compromised, they can request for cancellation of the existing corporate key and apply for a new corporate key.
When is a Corporate Key cancelled?
A Corporate Key is issued to the company, once in a lifetime. This key remains with the Directors unless one of the following events occurs:
- When Form 361 towards Notification of cessation of Registered Agent is lodged;
- When Form 362 towards Notification of appointment or cessation of Registered Agent is lodged;
- When a new corporate key is requested by an authorized person (Director or an agent)
A Registered Agent (e.g. accountant) can be authorized by the Directors to act on behalf of the company and use the corporate key of the company