Lawyer NSW
Lawyers for Company Structuring & Registration
Our company registration lawyers help Sydney business owners choose the right structure, register their company, and meet their legal obligations.
Speak to a lawyer this week
Send us a few details and we’ll be in touch.
Lazarus Legal is Associated with the following institutions
Why Would You Need a Lawyer to Register a Company?
Registering a company is simple. The decisions around it, like how you structure the business, who owns what, and what you’re legally responsible for, are harder to unwind later. A lawyer helps you get those decisions right from the start.
Our company registration lawyers regularly assist Sydney businesses with the following scenarios:
You aren't sure whether to operate as a sole trader, Pty Ltd company, or trust
You're going into business with co-founders and need a shareholders' agreement
You're moving from sole trader and want the transition done properly
You want to keep your personal assets separate from business risk
You need your ACN, ABN, TFN, and business name set up correctly
You want to understand your duties as company director under the Corporations Act
You're bringing on an investor and need your paperwork in order
You've outgrown your original structure and need to restructure
Why Choose Lazarus Legal for Company Registration & Formation
We combine commercial and startup expertise with upfront fixed-fee pricing and a setup built to support your business as it grows.
- Commercial and Startup Specialists. With over 40 years of experience working with businesses and startups, we've seen what makes or breaks a new company. The advice we offer is grounded in commercial reality, not just the letter of the law.
- Upfront Fixed-Fee Pricing. We quote company registration and formation work on a fixed fee, so there are no hourly surprises and you can budget with certainty from the outset.
- Structures Built for Growth. We set up companies with the next stage in mind, whether that's bringing on investors, adding a holding entity, or restructuring later, so you're not paying to rebuild it down the track.
How We Help Form and Register A Company
Forming a company is about more than obtaining an ACN. Our company registration lawyers guide you through every stage, from choosing the right structure and preparing key legal documents to registration, compliance, and business launch readiness.
Step 1: Understanding Your Business
We start with a consultation to understand your business, ownership arrangements, growth plans, and risk profile. This allows us to identify the legal structure that best supports your objectives.
What We Consider: Whether you intend to remain a solo operator, bring on business partners, seek investment, hire employees, or hold valuable assets such as intellectual property.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Structure
Based on your circumstances, we advise on the most appropriate business structure, whether that is a Pty Ltd company, sole trader, trust, partnership, or a more sophisticated holding and operating company arrangement. We explain the legal, tax, asset protection, and governance considerations of each option.
What We Consider: While a sole trader structure may be suitable for some businesses, many growing businesses benefit from a Pty Ltd company due to its liability protection, flexibility for future ownership changes, and ability to accommodate investors.
Step 3: Establishing Ownership and Control
Before registration, we work with you to establish the foundations of your business. This includes determining directors, shareholders, share allocations, decision-making arrangements, and any protections needed for multiple founders or investors.
What We Consider: Businesses with multiple founders often benefit from clearly documenting ownership rights, voting powers, decision-making authority, and exit arrangements from the outset.
Step 4: Preparing Your Legal Documents
We prepare the legal documents required to support your company formation. Depending on your needs, this may include a company constitution, director consents, shareholders’ agreements, and other governance documents that help prevent disputes and clarify responsibilities.
What We Consider: The appropriate documents will depend on your ownership structure, governance requirements, and future plans for growth, investment, or succession.
Step 5: Completing Company Registration
Once everything is in place, we handle the registration process. This includes obtaining your ACN, applying for an ABN and TFN where required, and registering your business name if applicable.
What We Consider: Registering a company and registering a business name serve different purposes. We help ensure the necessary registrations are completed and identify whether additional protections, such as trademark registration, should be considered.
Step 6: Advising on Compliance and Risk Management
After registration, we explain your obligations as a company director and help you understand your ongoing compliance requirements. We can also advise on intellectual property protection, trademarks, privacy obligations, and other legal considerations relevant to your business.
What We Consider: Director duties apply regardless of company size. We help you understand your legal obligations and identify potential compliance risks before they become issues.
Step 7: Providing Ongoing Support
Once your company is established, we provide all relevant registration details and legal documents, ensuring you have everything needed to commence trading with confidence. As your business grows, our commercial lawyer team remains available to assist with future legal, commercial, and governance matters.
What We Consider: The legal needs of a business often change as it grows. We can provide ongoing support for contracts, restructures, shareholder changes, intellectual property protection, and other commercial matters as they arise.
Meet Your Company Formation Legal Team
CEO, Notary Public
Barry brings over 50 years of experience advising businesses on company structures, governance frameworks, and commercial risk management, helping founders establish businesses on strong legal foundations.
Director, Principal Solicitor
Mark advises founders and startups on company structuring, shareholder arrangements, and commercial strategy, drawing on experience as both a commercial lawyer and former in-house legal director.
Associate Lawyer
Chen combines legal, venture capital, and business operations experience to help founders navigate company formation, governance considerations, and growth-focused commercial decisions.
What Businesses Say About Lazarus Legal
“We were exploring the possibility of setting up a company in Australia for our Popipro franchise, and Mark Lazarus and his team at Lazarus Legal were instrumental in guiding us through the process. Their expertise and dedication ensured we fully understood the requirements and made an informed decision. Thank you.”
- Anyone can register a company online
Our Lawyers Set Your Business Up To Thrive
- (02) 8644 6000
- info@lazaruslegal.com.au
- 1/422 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
- 5/133 Wakefield Street Adelaide SA 5000
- 1/14 Fremantle Street Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Our Company Registration Lawyers Answer Your Questions
What happens if a company is not registered?
A company cannot legally operate as a company until it is registered with ASIC under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Without a registered company structure, you may not have the benefit of limited liability protection and could be personally liable for business debts and legal obligations.
How much does it cost to register a company in NSW?
The mandatory ASIC fee to register a proprietary limited (Pty Ltd) company is currently $611. Legal fees are separate and depend on the level of support required.
At Lazarus Legal, company formation and registration services typically range from $1,000 to $1,200, with additional fees applying if bespoke legal documents such as shareholders’ agreements or company constitutions are required.
Do I need an ABN to register a company?
No. A company can be registered with ASIC and issued an ACN without first obtaining an ABN. However, most companies will require an ABN before commencing business operations, invoicing customers, registering for GST, or registering a business name.
How long does it take to register a company in NSW?
In many cases, a company can be registered within a few hours once all required information has been provided and the application is lodged correctly. More complex structures or bespoke legal arrangements may take longer if legal documents need to be prepared before registration.
What is the most common business structure in Australia?
The most common business structure in Australia is the sole trader structure due to its simplicity and low setup costs. However, many growing businesses choose a Pty Ltd company because it provides a separate legal entity, limited liability, and greater flexibility for future growth, investment, and ownership changes.
Principal Solicitor, Director, Lazarus Legal
Mark Lazarus is a commercial lawyer who advises startups, founders, and growing businesses on company structuring, company registration, shareholder arrangements, and governance frameworks. Drawing on experience in both private practice and in-house legal roles, he helps businesses establish strong legal foundations for sustainable growth.
Page Published: 04 June 2026