For years, using your accountant's address as your company's registered office cost almost nothing. Most practices bundled it into their annual compliance package at no extra charge, or charged a nominal fee that rarely appeared as a separate line item. That has changed materially in 2026, and not just because some accountants have stopped offering the service entirely.
What accountants are now having to factor in
From 1 July 2026, providing a registered office address is a designated service under the AML/CTF Act [AUSTRAC, austrac.gov.au]. Accountants who continue offering it must be enrolled with AUSTRAC, operate a written AML/CTF compliance program, appoint a compliance officer, verify the identity of every client, and screen clients against sanctions lists. These are real ongoing costs, not one-off setup tasks.
The Institute of Public Accountants confirmed before the reforms took effect that one of the conversations accounting practices would need to have with clients was that they may have to start charging for services they had previously provided free, to cover the cost of compliance [Accountants Daily, accountantsdaily.com.au].
What this means for your costs
If your accountant has retained the service, expect to see it as a separate line item on your next invoice rather than included in a flat annual fee. Pricing will vary by practice, but the cost of administering AUSTRAC compliance across a client base typically translates into a per-client charge that exceeds what a dedicated virtual address service costs.
If your accountant has dropped the service, you need to find an alternative, which adds a cost that was previously hidden in your accountant's fees.
The comparison
Space Penguin's virtual address in Sydney or Melbourne costs $20 per month plus GST, billed monthly with no lock-in. Over a full year that is $240 plus GST. The service is AUSTRAC enrolled, includes mail scanning and notification, and provides written occupier consent for ASIC purposes. If your accountant is now charging for registered office services to cover their AUSTRAC compliance costs, that figure is worth comparing directly against $240 per year before deciding whether to stay or move. Visit spacepenguin.io/virtual-address for current details.