A business name is simply the name your business trades under. It’s the name you tell your customers.

Business names are registered nationally. You don’t need to register the name separately with your state or territory.

Check if the name you want is available

You can’t register a business name that someone else has registered as a business name or trade mark.

  • Search the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) business names register to see if a name is available to register.
  • Use TM Checker to check if the name has a trade mark.

Register your business name

You can apply for a business name and other key business registrations through the Business Registration Service. Before you register, make sure you have:

  • chosen your business structure
  • got an Australian Business Number (ABN) or are ready to apply for one
  • checked if the name you want is available.
Register a business name

The fees to register your business name with ASIC are:

  • $45 for 1 year
  • $104 for 3 years

See fees and payment options on the ASIC website.

It might take you around 10 to 15 minutes to apply for a business name online.

If you have provided all the right information (including your ABN) and paid the fee, you should get confirmation within:

  • 2 business days for payment by credit card
  • 5 business days for payment by BPAY, EFT or bank transfer.

Registering a business name doesn’t mean you have exclusive rights to use it.

If you want exclusive rights to your business name, you need a trade mark.

You can register a domain name that reflects your business name, even if you're not ready to set up a website or email address yet. That way you have the domain name you want when you're ready to use it.

Also consider registering social media handles (usernames) for your business. Learn more about social media for business.

You don’t need to display your certificate of registration. But your business name must be visible to the public wherever you do business. You also need to display your business name on all written communication such as invoices and quotes.

Learn more about displaying your business name on ASIC's website.

ASIC will email you a renewal notice at least 30 days before your renewal date. Once you receive your renewal notice, you can renew your business name online using ASIC Connect or ‘Pay now’.

If you have multiple business names or a registered company, you can ask ASIC to change the renewal date.

If you don't renew your business name on time, ASIC may cancel it.

Learn more about renewing your business name on the ASIC website.

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