Honcho

Honcho: business registration and compliance in Australia

Honcho is an Australian platform specialising in business registration, business names, ABN (Australian Business Number) and GST (Goods and Services Tax). The company presents itself as a trusted service for more than one million Australians and operates under the legal name Business Switch Pty Ltd. Its proposition focuses on simplifying incorporation and compliance procedures for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Credentials and authorisations

The company holds authorisations from Australian regulatory bodies. It is a registered ASIC agent (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) with number 29963, which allows it to act on behalf of its clients before that body. It is also a registered tax agent (number 03631006) authorised to provide services related to the ATO (Australian Taxation Office). In addition, it is certified as a digital service provider for both ASIC and the ATO, which enables it to integrate with their systems and offer real-time services. It holds ISO 27001:2022 certification in information security and operates as a secure payment provider with encrypted processing.

Registration and incorporation services

Honcho's catalogue includes company registration with ASIC, which covers obtaining the ACN (Australian Company Number), the ABN and the incorporation of the company. It also offers business name registration nationwide, with availability checks and application submission. ABN registration is handled with expert review and instant submission; according to the company, 75% of eligible applicants obtain their ABN within 15 minutes. It also processes GST registration and trademark registration (both word marks and logos) to protect intellectual property. For those seeking advice on legal structure, it offers a virtual assistant (Business Registration Wizard) that helps decide between operating as a sole trader, partnership or company.

Virtual and marketing services

Honcho offers virtual address services, with a professional business address in the Sydney CBD and mail management, complying with ASIC requirements. It also provides virtual phone numbers (local or 1800) and a virtual receptionist service with Australian staff who answer calls on behalf of the business during business hours. In the marketing area, the company provides professional email addresses with Microsoft 365 (1 TB mailbox), domain registration (.com.au, .com, .net.au and others), an instant website builder with SEO optimisation and responsive design, logo design, business cards and custom web design.

Professional support and compliance

The company provides accounting services, preparation and lodgement of BAS (Business Activity Statements), tax management and budgeting and invoicing tools. In terms of compliance, it handles the preparation and lodgement of annual statements to keep companies up to date with ASIC, business name renewal, GST registration, business name transfer and cancellation, as well as ABN reactivation and cancellation. It also offers a plumbing business registration service, which allows obtaining an ABN, business name and domain in a single session.

Support during the first 18 months

Honcho structures its offering around the needs of a business during its first 18 months. In the initial phase (month 0), it helps choose the right legal structure. Between month 0 and 1, it manages business name registration and company incorporation with ASIC and the ATO, as well as securing the online foundation with a domain, professional email and trademark registration. Between month 1 and 3, it facilitates the launch with an instant website, logo and Google Business Profile, and begins professionalisation with quotes and invoices. Between month 3 and 6, it suggests services such as virtual address, virtual phone and virtual receptionist to project a solid corporate image.

Offices

The company has two locations in Australia: one in Sydney, at Suite 703, Level 7, The Trust Building, 155 King Street, and another in Melbourne, at Suite 609, 1 Queens Road. Telephone support is available on 0480 031 496 (with SMS option) and 1300 587 203, and the support email is support@honcho.com. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 20:00.

Offices and locations

Location 1: Suite 703, Level 7 The Trust Building 155 King Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Melbourne location: Suite 609, 1 Queens Road Melbourne VIC 3004