Honcho Company Registration Index
Q4 2025 — Quarterly Report
Q4 sees 19.9% surge in Australian company registrations, driven by NSW and Victoria.
The fourth quarter registered 88,946 new companies, a notable 19.9% increase compared to last year. With stable credit growth and business formation tailwinds, anticipate continued robust registration activity into the new year.
The Honcho Company Registration Index is published quarterly to give founders, accountants, advisers, and investors a single authoritative read on the health of Australia's company formation market. Honcho operates Australia's leading company registration platform with over 900,000 registered businesses.
Q4 2025 Total Company Registration
88,946
+19.9% vs prior yearOctober Company Registration
32,805
+18.8%November Company Registration
30,603
+18.4%December Company Registration
25,538
+23.4%Honcho Outlook
Research team · January 28, 2026Q1 2026 company registration range
85,000–95,000
Projected range based on seasonal trends and Q4 momentum.
Full-year FY25 projection
~325k
Based on current trends and historical full-year growth rates.
State to watch
VIC
Consistent growth in monthly registrations makes Victoria a key area of interest.
The fourth quarter of 2025 saw strong company registration growth, with a total of 88,946 new businesses established. This marks a 19.9% increase from the same quarter last year, largely attributed to robust performance in New South Wales and Victoria. October alone accounted for a significant portion of this growth, with New South Wales recording 11,532 new registrations. Factors such as positive business sentiment and an adaptive entrepreneurial landscape have bolstered formation activity.
While the company registration numbers are encouraging, the risk of insolvency remains with an ASIC rate of 0.49% of registered companies. The RBA's cash rate at 4.35% suggests a cautious credit environment, though business credit growth remains healthy at 9.9%. Structural shifts such as increased digital adoption and remote work flexibility continue to support business formation, yet the macro environment necessitates vigilance.
Company registration growth in Australia Q4 2025 analysis
- Q4 company registrations increased by 19.9% with 88,946 new businesses
- New South Wales leads with 11,532 new registrations in October
- RBA cash rate steady at 4.35% amid business credit growth
“This quarter's surge in company formation activity showcases Australia's resilient and adaptable entrepreneurial spirit. We're witnessing emerging opportunities across sectors, driving robust startup growth.“
— Miralda Ishkhanian, Chief Operating Officer at Honcho
Quarterly Company Registration Trend
Source: ASICOctober
November
December
State Breakdown
State Velocity
| State | Q4 2025 total | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 30,963 | — |
| Victoria | 23,258 | — |
| Queensland | 18,544 | — |
| Western Australia | 8,529 | — |
| South Australia | 4,988 | — |
| ACT | 1,447 | — |
| Tasmania | 775 | — |
| Northern Territory | 442 | — |
Full-Year Context
Source: ASICYear-to-date total for 2025: 88,946 registrations through Q4. Full-year projection based on current run rate and seasonality.
Survival Rates
Source: ABS CABEE| Structure | 1-year | 3-year | 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | 79% | 58% | 46% |
| Sole trader | 72% | 48% | 37% |
| Partnership | 71% | 47% | 37% |
| All businesses | 75% | 54% | 43% |
RBA Cash Rate
4.35%
Business Credit Growth
9.9% YoY
SME Loan Stock
6.5% growth
Insolvency Rate
0.49% of reg. cos
Registration Heatmap
Month × Year intensity| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33k | 31k | 26k |
Insolvency Counterweight
Source: ASIC Series 10.49%
External administrations as a percentage of all registered companies (YTD).
Credit Conditions
Source: RBA D19.9%
Business credit growth year-on-year. Cash rate: 4.35%.
Key Insights
Data Sources
ASIC Company Registrations
Monthly registrations by state. Published 3–5 weeks after month end.
MonthlyABS CABEE
Business entries, exits, and survival rates. Annual FY basis.
AnnualASIC Insolvency Series 1
External administrations. Weekly, 2 weeks in arrears.
WeeklyRBA Financial Aggregates
Business credit growth YoY. Table D1, monthly.
MonthlyRBA Cash Rate
Target cash rate, updated after RBA Board meetings.
MonthlyHoncho Platform Data
Anonymised registration enquiry volumes from Honcho's platform.
Proprietary