There are two main ways to register a business name in Australia. Both require you to have or apply for an ABN for the name to be registered to. If you already have an ABN, use ASIC Connect.
Business Registration Service
The business.gov.au is a government website for the Australian business community. The Business Registration Service lets you apply for a business name and if you need to, and ABN and/or Company name at the same time. You can also use the Business Registration service to apply for GST and other taxes for your business.
ASIC Connect
ASIC is the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. ASIC Connect is the online service you can use to manage your business name, including searching for company name availability. If you already have an ABN, you can use ASIC Connect directly to register a business name to add to it.
Register Business Name with ASIC Connect
Open the ASIC Connect website https://asicconnect.asic.gov.au/public/ in your browser and login with your normal details (email address and password). Once logged in, click on the Business Details tab. If you have any business names already registered, they will be displayed here.
Start Register a Business Name Process
Click on the Register a business name link to start the process of registering your new business name.
There is also a handy link to check if your business name is available before starting the new business name process.
Select Business name registration and click Go.
The next page is a pre-application checklist. It is important to read this section carefully, especially the Things to be aware of section. These points, in short form, include:
- Registering a business name does not give the holder exclusive rights
- The business name may inadvertently infringe someone else’s trademark
- A franchise name needs consent from the franchise owner
- The holder should check if state or territory business licenses are needed
- The holder may want to check availability of a domain name to register
Check all of these points, then click on the Get Started button.
ABN Options
To have a business name, you need to have an ABN. While there are options provided, an ABN or an ABN application reference is required for all of them. The steps here presume you already have an ABN number. Enter the ABN and click Next.
Business Name Availability
The next step is where you enter your business name and the system checks it passes. Enter the business name and click on Check Name Availability. A set of tests is performed to check if the name can be registered.
Be aware this is an automated check using the ASIC name test checks. Note that the name could be very close to another existing name and pass. A list of
After clicking on Check Name Availability, and the name has passed the availability checks, select the registration period of the business name. The 3-year option is the best value.
You can also select to have the business name renewal align with another business name or if the ABN is related to a company, the company annual review date.
Select the registration period and click Next.
Business Name Holder Details
The details of the business holder are checked and if needed, the details are to be filled in. In the case below, the business name is related to a company and the details cannot be changed.
Click Next.
Addresses
The addresses step sets how ASIC can communicate with you, as well as the publicly available information relating to the business name. In the screenshot below, the email address is hidden but an email address has been entered into the form.
Enter the information and click Next.
Eligibility
The eligibility step is a declaration that the applicant (and other persons depending on the business structure) are not disqualified from managing corporations, or convicted of or have been convicted of criminal offences relating to the Business Names Registration Act 2011.
Click Next.
Review
The review step lets you check all the details are correct. If any changes are needed, go back to the appropriate step and follow the steps again to return to the review step.
If everything is correct, click Submit.
Declare
The Declare step is confirming that the information provided is complete and accurate, and that you are authorised to register the business name.
Check the boxes as appropriate and click Next.
Payment
Payment can be made immediately by credit card or by BPAY or invoice later. Paying by credit card lets you receive your business name registration straight away (within a few minutes). The other options will wait for confirmation of payment.
Confirmation
Once payment has been made, the confirmation step shows the summary of the business name registration. A link is shown to download the form submission details.
An email is also sent with a link to download the Record of Registration for Business Name.
