What does “External administration (ASIC status EXAD)” mean for a company in Australia?

liquidation, voluntary administration or receivership, which ASIC does not split. The Prometiam API returns it as status "insolvent" (In insolvency proceedings) with local_status "insolvent". A formal insolvency proceeding is open. Do not extend new credit, find out who the appointed administrator or trustee is, and file any claim with them.

What does “Deregistered, cancelled or dissolved (ASIC status DRGD, CNCL or DISS), or a company that left the file” mean for a company in Australia?

Deregistered, cancelled or dissolved (ASIC status DRGD, CNCL or DISS), or a company that left the file. The Prometiam API returns it as status "deregistered" (Deregistered (removed from the register)) with local_status "deregistered". Removed from the register: the legal person no longer exists (in the US: dissolved, revoked, withdrawn or no longer listed in that state). It cannot sign, be sued or be paid, so invoice a successor or the former owners and check whether it merged. Some registers can restore or reinstate an entity, so check before you treat it as final.

What does “Strike-off action under way (ASIC status SOFF)” mean for a company in Australia?

Strike-off action under way (ASIC status SOFF). The Prometiam API returns it as status "active_strike_off_pending" (Active – strike-off pending) with local_status "active_strike_off_pending". The register has started to remove the company, usually for unfiled accounts or returns. It can still trade and can often avoid removal by putting its filings right. Treat it as a compliance warning and ask the company to explain before you extend credit or onboard it.

Company status in Australia: what each register status means

Each status used in Australia, in English, with the standard status the Prometiam API returns and what it means for doing business with the company.

Every register words its company states differently. This guide lists the status values used in Australia, what each means in English, and the standard status the Prometiam API returns for it, so the same question (is this company still alive, in trouble or gone?) has the same answer across countries. The register’s own value stays available as local_status.

Coverage and limits for Australia: company records only (no officers, no registry-compliance signal, no activity code, no share capital, no insolvency notices); proprietary, public and foreign companies (ACN and ARBN) only, associations, cooperatives, other bodies, individuals and sole traders are never served; ASIC does not separate liquidation from administration, so external administration shows as in_administration. Contains data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Company Dataset and the Australian Business Register (ABN Bulk Extract), licensed CC BY 3.0 AU (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/). Adapted by Prometiam (joined, normalised, status derived).

Status values in Australia

Register status	`local_status`	`status` in the API	Stage
Registered (ASIC status REGD)	`active`	`active`	`active`
Strike-off action under way (ASIC status SOFF)	`active_strike_off_pending`	`active_strike_off_pending`	`active`
Not active (ASIC status NOAC)	`suspended`	`suspended`	`active`
External administration (ASIC status EXAD): liquidation, voluntary administration or receivership, which ASIC does not split	`insolvent`	`insolvent`	`distress`
Deregistered, cancelled or dissolved (ASIC status DRGD, CNCL or DISS), or a company that left the file	`deregistered`	`deregistered`	`closed`

What each status means for doing business

Active (active): The register shows no dissolution, insolvency or removal. That is the normal state, but not a guarantee of solvency or good standing: check filings and payment behaviour as your policy requires.
Active – strike-off pending (active_strike_off_pending): The register has started to remove the company, usually for unfiled accounts or returns. It can still trade and can often avoid removal by putting its filings right. Treat it as a compliance warning and ask the company to explain before you extend credit or onboard it.
Activity suspended (suspended): The entity is still on the register but is out of compliance or has suspended its activity. Ask for proof that it is back in good standing before you rely on it.
In insolvency proceedings (insolvent): A formal insolvency proceeding is open. Do not extend new credit, find out who the appointed administrator or trustee is, and file any claim with them.
Deregistered (removed from the register) (deregistered): Removed from the register: the legal person no longer exists (in the US: dissolved, revoked, withdrawn or no longer listed in that state). It cannot sign, be sued or be paid, so invoice a successor or the former owners and check whether it merged. Some registers can restore or reinstate an entity, so check before you treat it as final.

Reading statuses in Australia

ASIC does not separate liquidation from administration, so any external administration (liquidation, voluntary administration or receivership) is returned as insolvent and there is no in_liquidation status for Australia. There are no insolvency notices.

Filter and monitor by status

# companies whose standard status is active_strike_off_pending
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer rk_live_..." \
  "https://api.prometiam.com/functions/v1/risk-api/companies/search?country=AU&name=<company name>&status=active_strike_off_pending"

# or filter by the register's own value
#   &local_status=active_strike_off_pending

status is the same list in every country; local_status is the register’s own value. Use one or the other, not both. Outside Spain a status filter must be combined with a name or an identifier.

More about Australia

Australia company data API guide, the free ACN lookup, and legal forms in Australia. All countries: company status meanings.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “External administration (ASIC status EXAD)” mean for a company in Australia?: liquidation, voluntary administration or receivership, which ASIC does not split. The Prometiam API returns it as status "insolvent" (In insolvency proceedings) with local_status "insolvent". A formal insolvency proceeding is open. Do not extend new credit, find out who the appointed administrator or trustee is, and file any claim with them.
What does “Deregistered, cancelled or dissolved (ASIC status DRGD, CNCL or DISS), or a company that left the file” mean for a company in Australia?: Deregistered, cancelled or dissolved (ASIC status DRGD, CNCL or DISS), or a company that left the file. The Prometiam API returns it as status "deregistered" (Deregistered (removed from the register)) with local_status "deregistered". Removed from the register: the legal person no longer exists (in the US: dissolved, revoked, withdrawn or no longer listed in that state). It cannot sign, be sued or be paid, so invoice a successor or the former owners and check whether it merged. Some registers can restore or reinstate an entity, so check before you treat it as final.
What does “Strike-off action under way (ASIC status SOFF)” mean for a company in Australia?: Strike-off action under way (ASIC status SOFF). The Prometiam API returns it as status "active_strike_off_pending" (Active – strike-off pending) with local_status "active_strike_off_pending". The register has started to remove the company, usually for unfiled accounts or returns. It can still trade and can often avoid removal by putting its filings right. Treat it as a compliance warning and ask the company to explain before you extend credit or onboard it.