Glossary of terms

Glossary of Terms

Disclaimer: Terms in this glossary are provided for general information only and should not be taken as constituting professional advice from the website owner – the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

 

The words in brackets do not form part of the term. Where 'Business names' and/or 'SMSF auditors' appears in brackets alongside a term, this denotes the definition is only to be used in reference to the relevant register. These terms do not apply to any other ASIC services.


Viewing entries beginning with 'E'

Enforceable undertakings register

A register of undertakings given to and accepted by ASIC, by an individual or entity that are enforceable in court. They are generally accepted as an alternative to civil or administrative action where there has been a contravention of the legislation that ASIC administers.


Entity (Business names)

For the purpose of business name registration, an entity under section 5 of the Business Names Registration Act 2011 can be any of the following: an individual, a body corporate, a corporation sole, a body politic, a partnership, an unincorporated association or body of persons, a trust or a superannuation fund.


Existing business name

A business name registered under a state or territory of Australia business names legislation prior to 28 May 2012 and notified to ASIC to be registered on the Business Names Register pursuant to the Business Names Registration (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2011.


Existing names (Business names)

Business names which are similar to, but not identical or near identical to, the name proposed for business name registration, displayed on the application to register a business name. They are displayed during business names registration to increase awareness for new business name applicants to know which other similar names already exist.


External administration status

Refers to an organisation to which an external administrator has been appointed.


External administrator

A general term for an external person externally appointed to a company or its property. Generally it includes:

  • provisional liquidators 
  • liquidators 
  • voluntary administrators 
  • deed administrators 
  • controllers 
  • receivers, and 
  • receiver and managers.

Extract

A document provided by ASIC, for a fee, containing information extracted from our registers about an organisation or person. ASIC offers extracts containing current and current & historical information.