This article explains what it means when ASIC issues an Annual Company Statement and annual review fee while a company is already in strike off (ASIC-initiated deregistration) action, and what steps can be taken.
Annual reviews during strike off action
Even if a company is in strike-off action, ASIC may still:
- Issue the Annual Company Statement
- Issue the annual review fee invoice
This is normal ASIC behaviour and does not mean the strike off process has been cancelled.
Instead, the annual review process provides the company with an opportunity to bring its compliance up to date before deregistration occurs.
What action can be taken?
During strike off action, the company can prevent deregistration by:
- Paying any outstanding annual review fees
- Paying any late payment fees
- Lodging any overdue ASIC forms or documents
If these steps are completed before the strike-off date, ASIC may:
- Stop the deregistration process
- Retain the company’s registered status
The company will continue to exist as a legal entity once compliance is restored.
If no action is taken before the strike-off date:
- ASIC will deregister the company
- The company will cease to exist as a legal entity
Important clarification
Receiving an Annual Company Statement or review fee does not automatically remove the strike-off status.
Strike-off action is only stopped once all outstanding compliance obligations have been resolved and processed by ASIC.
Further information
For more information on ASIC-initiated deregistration, see the ASIC website.