Updated October 2025 | By Salt Space Coworking – New Farm, Brisbane
If you’re setting up a new business, one of the first practical questions is: what address should I use? Should it be your home, a PO Box, or a Virtual Office?
It might seem like a small detail, but your choice affects legal compliance, brand image, mail handling, and even your visibility on Google Maps. In this guide, we’ll compare the three most common options — Home Address, PO Box, and Virtual Office — so you can choose what’s best for your business in Brisbane.
For context, we’ll also reference our related blogs: Can I Use My Home Address for ASIC or Google Business? and How Google Business Video Verification Works (and How Salt Space Helps You Pass It).
🏠 Option 1: Using Your Home Address
Many small business owners start here because it’s simple — it’s your address, so you already have access and don’t pay extra rent. But there are serious downsides:
- ⚠️ Privacy risk: ASIC and ABN listings are public. Anyone can look up your home address online.
- ❌ Google may reject your address: Residential properties often fail Google Business video verification.
- 🚫 Unprofessional appearance: Apartment or suburban street addresses can look less credible on invoices and websites.
Read more about the risks in our blog Can I Use My Home Address for ASIC or Google Business?.
📮 Option 2: Using a PO Box
A PO Box can feel like a good middle ground — private, secure, and separate from home. But legally, it doesn’t qualify as a business address for most registrations or verifications.
- ⚖️ ASIC & ABN: You cannot use a PO Box as your Principal Place of Business. It’s only accepted as a mailing address.
- ❌ Google Business: Google automatically rejects PO Boxes, parcel lockers, and virtual mailboxes with no staffed presence.
- 📦 Mail pickup only: No scanning, forwarding, or verification support.
In short, a PO Box protects your privacy but fails the legal and verification requirements for most businesses. That’s where a Virtual Office bridges the gap perfectly.
🏢 Option 3: Using a Virtual Office
A Virtual Office is a legitimate street address you can use for ASIC, ABN, Google Business, and client communication — without renting an office physically. It’s a real location staffed during business hours and fully compliant with government and platform requirements.
At Salt Space Coworking in New Farm, our Virtual Office service includes:
- ✅ ASIC & ABN registration permission document.
- ✅ On-site Google Business video verification support.
- ✅ Mail scanning and collection with email alerts.
- ✅ Real Brisbane street address (Level 1, 888 Brunswick St).
- ✅ Same-day setup and no lock-in contracts.
It’s the most versatile and professional option for businesses that want credibility, compliance, and privacy — all in one.
📊 Comparison Table: Which Address Can You Use?
| Feature | Home Address | PO Box | Virtual Office (Salt Space) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIC & ABN Use | ✅ Allowed but public | ❌ Mailing only | ✅ Fully compliant |
| Google Business Verification | ⚠️ Often fails | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Video verification support included |
| Professional Image | 🏠 Residential | 📮 Neutral | 🏢 Commercial, central Brisbane |
| Mail Handling | 📬 Basic | 📦 Pickup only | 📧 Scan + email alerts + pickup |
🏁 Which One Should You Choose? +
If you need your address to appear on ASIC, ABN, and Google Business — and you care about professionalism — a Virtual Office is the clear winner. It’s compliant, searchable, private, and helps your Google visibility.
Still unsure which address type you currently have registered? Read our guide on How to Change Your Business Address on ASIC & ABN for step-by-step help.
FAQs – Choosing the Right Business Address
Can I use a PO Box for ASIC registration? +
No. ASIC requires a physical business address for your Principal Place of Business. A PO Box can only be used for mail correspondence.
Is a Virtual Office legal for business use? +
Yes. Salt Space provides written consent to use our address for ASIC, ABN, and IP Australia registrations. It’s 100% compliant.
Will Google accept my PO Box address? +
No. Google only verifies physical locations that can be filmed during video verification. A PO Box or mailbox will always be rejected.
How fast can I switch from my current address? +
Within 24 hours. Once you sign up for a Virtual Office, we send you your permission documents so you can update your ASIC and ABN records immediately.