Hiding company ownership in Australia

[200bhp]

Ive had a quick google for this one but can find nothing relevant to Australia. I shall seek eprofessional advice next week but as its the weekend and its bugging me, Ill ask here first!

Is it possible to hide the true owner of a business/ABN in Australia? Not for illegal or tax reasons, just so that when another business does a cedit search or similar, theyre not presented with the real owners name.

Hypothetically, if a business started offering a service that was more competitive to an existing one, the existing business may wonder who was behind it. They would be a little miffed, to say the least, if the new business was run by a current employee. That employee has no non-competition clause in his contract and wants to test the water in a small way before handing in his notice.

[Pit Pony]

Do you have a Parent ? Get them to set up a UK company, and employ you as an advisor.

[Martin4x4]

I would expect the Australian company registrar to operate in a way similar to the UK.

They show the director(s) of the company not the owners.

There are services that will provide nominee directorship and Googling "Australian company nominee director" turns up many. Assuming the rules of Aus system is the similar to the UK these are only a problem when used for dishonest purposes, so should be ok for you.

[PomBstard]

Pretty easy to find director info. All details of directors are public info - can be obtained from ASIC through website www.asic.gov.au, or via Dunn & Bradstreet check for payment delinquency for a small fee. Not sure how this might help with ownership.

[Colonial]

My trust is the owner of my business. I am director of my trust but not a director of the business if that makes sense. The main shareholder (53/47) is the sole director.

Not sure if that helps.

[200bhp]

Thanks all.

When writing "owner" I really should have put owner/director as they will be the same person. I've done some further digging and am familiar with the trust ownership idea but hiding a director looks to be impossible. However, it does look like it is possible to appoint a nominee director in Australia which could well work in this situation.

One can register a business in the British Virgin Islands and remain totally anon. However Im not sure potential customers would be confident dealing with an offshore entity (even if it was the UK).

Edited by 200bhp on Sunday 19th April 14:18

[ezakimak]

what would happen if you changed your name?
how long would that take to catch up with you?


guess you need to have your exit strategies worked out.

[200bhp]

I'm not going to change my name!