Access keys | Skip to primary navigation | Skip to secondary navigation | Skip to content | Skip to footer |
Problems viewing this site
Home > Businesses > Business names

Business names

Printable view Printable view

A business name is a trading name that helps customers recognise your business.

As a business name does not have the same legal status as a company or an individual name, it cannot sue, be sued or hold property. A business is merely carried on under this name.

Before you register a business name

Who needs to register?
You need to register a business name if you trade under a name that isn´t your natural or corporate name.

Choose your name
Check whether your name is already registered before you apply.

Your obligations
Rights and responsibilities of owning a registered business name.

Registering a business name

How to register
Apply to register your business name.

Buy an extract
Check our business names register for details about business names, owners and addresses.

Making changes to a business name

Change a name
To change your business name, apply for a new business name and cancel your old one.

Change details
Tell us when you change or transfer ownership, postal address or business location.

Renew a name
Renew your business name for one or three years.

Cancel a name
Notify us when your business closes or you wish to cancel your old name.

Fees and forms

Fee schedule

Forms

Last reviewed 01/07/2011

Printable view

National business names register

On 28 May 2012, a new national register of business names is expected to commence. Depending on the date your renewal is due, you will receive a renewal notice from either the Office of Fair Trading or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The notice will contain all the information you need, including fees and instructions on how to renew your business name.

Find out more about the National business names register.