Our business names registration service allows you to register business names nationally, online. You can register your business name through ASIC Connect, our online service portal.
Before you start
The application takes an average of 15-20 minutes to complete. You can choose to save and exit the application if you cannot complete it in one sitting. If you do, the information you entered will be saved for 90 days, but the business name you entered will not be held and will be available for someone else to register.
You can resume your application by logging into your account. Go to 'myTransactions' under the 'Lodgements & Notifications' tab to resume your application.
Business name registration is case sensitive. You must enter the name exactly as you would like it to appear on the register.
For example, if your business name is John's Plumbing, then you must enter 'John's Plumbing' into the registration transaction.
Want more information? See our user guides section.
Choose the entity that will hold the business name
Before you start, you will need to choose an entity to hold the business name.
The following types of entities may apply to hold a business name:
individual (for example, a sole trader)
incorporated entity, including an Australian registered company (has an ACN), an Australian registered body (has an ARBN) or other incorporated entity (no ACN or ARBN)
unincorporated entity, including a trust, superannuation fund or unincorporated body or association
partnership or joint venture partnership, or
joint venture.
To register a business name, the entity will need to have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or ABN application reference number (unless an exemption applies).
Choose your name carefully
You can check if a name is available for registration by performing a check name availability search which will compare your name against an index of Australian corporate and registered business names and other names (e.g. government bodies notified to ASIC).
If you apply to register your company name as a business name, you will receive a ‘red’ result telling you the name is not available as it is already registered. This is to prevent others from registering the name. Generally, if you are applying to register the business name using the company’s ABN, we will proceed with the registration of the name. However, you will need to request a review of our decision to reject the name (under ‘Lodgements and notifications’ in ASIC Connect).
Having a registered business name does not give you ownership of the name or the exclusive right to use the name. Registering a business name:
does not stop another person from registering a similar name
will not prevent the name being registered as a trademark
will not prevent the name being used by someone that has already registered it as a trademark, and
does not protect you from legal action if the name of your business infringes the intellectual property rights of another (for example, a name which is a registered trademark).
The obligation to register a business name is a legal obligation which is entirely separate to any steps that business owners may take to protect any intellectual property rights in a name or brand, such as registering a trademark.
Before you register a business name, you should undertake the following checks:
check to see if the name is identical or similar to a registered trademark, by using the new free IP Australia Trade Mark Check (TM Check)
if you would like to register a domain name in addition to your business name, check to make sure that the domain name you want is available at www.auda.org.au, and
check for any state or territory licences you may require to use a name or conduct a particular type of business in your state or territory. For more information go to Business Licence Information Service.
How do I request a refund for a business name payment?
If your business name application has been refused or you have made an overpayment, you can request a refund by filling out the General Inquiry Form with your details.
Please note that the default payment method is cheque but you can also request a refund by EFT. See below for details.
Request a refund by EFT
Please include the following information in the General Inquiry Form:
customer number and customer name
contact details — full name, phone number, address and email
account name, BSB and account number
date payment was made
requested refund amount, and
reference number or description (to be used for refund payment method).
Request a refund by cheque
Please include the following information in the General Inquiry Form:
customer number and customer name
name of the person or entity to whom the cheque is to be made to — full name, phone number, address and email
date payment was made
requested refund amount, and
reference number or description (to be used for refund payment details).
(2.6MB)
search which will compare your name against an index of Australian corporate and registered business names and other names (e.g. government bodies notified to ASIC).