Section 157 — Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

(1) If a company wants to change its name, it must:

(a) pass a special resolution adopting a new name; and

(b) lodge an application in the prescribed form with ASIC.

Note: The company may reserve a name before the resolution is passed or the application is lodged (see section 152).

(2) The company must lodge a copy of the special resolution with ASIC within 14 days after it is passed.

(2A) An offence based on subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(3) If the proposed name is available, ASIC must change the company’s name by altering the details of the company’s registration to reflect the change. The change of name takes effect when ASIC alters the details of the company’s registration.

Note: For available names, see section 147.

Related sections

• s 154 — Exception to requirement to have ACN on receipts
• s 155 — Regulations may exempt from requirement to set out information on documents
• s 156 — Carrying on business using “Limited”, “No Liability” or “Proprietary” in name
• s 157A — Change of name of company under external administration
• s 158 — ASIC’s power to direct company to change its name
• s 159 — ASIC’s power to include “Limited” in company’s name

Research how courts apply s 157

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