ASIC late fees in 2026: what they cost and how to avoid them
ASIC charges late fees when statutory lodgements miss their deadline. The fee schedule is two-tier: a smaller fee if the lodgement is up to one month late, and a materially larger fee if it is over one month late. For 2026–27 the fees are $102 for lodgements within one month of the due date and $428 for lodgements more than one month late, per occurrence. The fees are not negotiable and apply on top of the underlying statutory fee, such as the annual review fee itself.
Late fees compound in two ways. First, every separate late lodgement attracts its own fee, so a firm with 200 entities that misses three change notifications and one annual review pays four separate late fees, not one. Second, if a company misses both an annual review payment and a change notification within the same period, the fees stack rather than substituting. The cost can move from a few hundred dollars to several thousand quickly.
The most common triggers we see are missed annual review payments (the company forgets to pay within two months of the review date), late change of officeholder lodgements (Form 484 not filed within 28 days of the appointment or resignation), and late share allotment notices (often filed only when an accountant notices during year-end review, by which time several months have passed).
ASIC will waive late fees in narrow circumstances: extended ASIC processing delays clearly attributable to the regulator, natural disasters or pandemic events that affected the lodgement, or where the company can demonstrate that an error in the ASIC system caused the delay. Waivers must be applied for in writing and are decided case by case. They are not granted for ordinary administrative oversight.
CoSec Partners runs every lodgement through a two-person review: one person prepares, another checks before submission. Deadlines on lodgements we are responsible for under our White Label and Outsourced models are tracked centrally and actioned before they fall due, which is what keeps late fees rare in practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much are ASIC late fees in 2026?
For 2026–27 the late fee is $102 where the lodgement or payment is up to one month late and $428 where it is more than one month late, per occurrence. ASIC indexes these each 1 July, so check ASIC INFO 30 for the current amounts.
Can ASIC late fees be waived or refunded?
Only in narrow circumstances: extended ASIC processing delays clearly attributable to the regulator, natural disasters or similar events that affected the lodgement, or a demonstrable error in ASIC’s own systems. Waivers must be applied for in writing and are decided case by case. Ordinary oversight is not a ground.
How do firms with large entity books avoid late fees?
By tracking every deadline centrally rather than relying on ASIC correspondence reaching the right person, and by having a second person check each lodgement before submission. Late fees are almost never a knowledge problem; they are a handover and visibility problem.
Do late fees apply per entity or per firm?
Per entity, and per occurrence. A firm that misses three change notifications and one annual review across its book pays four separate late fees, not one. This is why a single lapse in coverage during a staff departure can produce a five-figure exposure across a few hundred entities.
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. While we endeavour to keep content accurate and current, laws and regulations change frequently. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified professional adviser. CoSec Partners Pty Ltd accepts no liability for actions taken based on this content.