The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has recently announced a change to the way company directors residential information will be displayed on public company records.
From 2 February 2026, company extracts purchased through ASIC will no longer show the residential addresses of company directors.
A service address (such as a registered office or business address) will continue to be publicly available. Company directors will still be required report their residential addresses to ASIC for regulatory and compliance purposes however, these addresses will be securely retained with access restricted to authorised government agencies and permitted legal circumstances.
This reform is in response to growing concerns about identity theft, cyber crimes, harassment and the misuse of public information. While transparency remains a key part of Australia’s corporate regulatory framework, the digital environment has increased the risks associated with the online aggregation and misuse of personal data, particularly for directors involved in high-profile or contentious industries.
ASIC’s move reflects a broader global trend toward balancing corporate transparency with stronger personal privacy protections. Similar approaches have been adopted in the UK and parts of Europe, where public registers typically display service addresses rather than private residences.
For directors, the change offers greater personal privacy, reduced exposure to identity theft, improved safety for themselves and their families, and increased confidence in accepting or continuing directorship roles. Importantly, the reform does not diminish accountability. Directors will remain clearly identifiable, and essential company information will continue to be accessible to investors, creditors and regulators. It is also important to note that while residential addresses will no longer appear on new extracts, they will not be removed from historically lodged documents. Directors must continue to ensure their Director ID and personal details remain up to date with ASIC to maintain compliance and enable timely regulatory communication.
These privacy changes do not alter directors’ legal duties under the Corporations Act 2001. Directors must continue to act in good faith and in the best interests of the company, exercise care and diligence, avoid conflicts of interest, and comply with statutory reporting and disclosure obligations. Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in significant civil or criminal penalties.