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National business names register

A new national business names registration system will commence on 28 May 2012.

Currently, business names are registered in the state or territory where the business is located and each state and territory keeps its own register. The national register of business names will replace these existing state and territory registers.

The main purpose of business name registration is to protect consumers, by allowing them to identify the people or companies behind a business name (or trading name).

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will administer the new national business names register.

Benefits of the new national business names register

The national register will offer Queensland businesses many advantages:

The national system eliminates the need for businesses who trade across state borders to register their name in multiple jurisdictions.
Businesses will be able to register and renew their national business name online. Online payment options will also be available.
Business name registration will be combined into a single online transaction with the registration of an Australian Business Number.
Queensland businesses will benefit from reduced registration fees (details below).

Transition to the new national register

The Queensland register will cease operation at 5pm on Friday 25 May.

As a business name holder in Queensland, you do not have to do anything during the transition. All existing Queensland business names will automatically transition to the national register in preparation for its commencement on Monday 28 May.

All of your business name details will transition to the national register, including your existing expiry date. So if your Queensland business name is due to expire on 1 December 2012, this is the date that ASIC will record as the expiry date of your new national business name.

Duplicate names

If you have registered the same business name in multiple jurisdictions, all of your business names will transition to the national business names register, meaning that you may have multiple identical business names registered to you.

Under the new system, you can choose to keep one of your business names and let the rest expire. If you prefer, you can speed up this process by cancelling any business name that you no longer require. There is no fee to cancel a business name.

If the same business name has been registered by different businesses in different jurisdictions, all of the business names will still be transitioned to the national business names register. An additional identifier (such as the word ´Queensland´) will appear on the register to assist in differentiating between identical business names. For example, if XYZ Bakery is registered in both Queensland and Tasmania, on the national register one would display as XYZ Bakery (Queensland) and the other as XYZ Bakery (Tasmania).

This additional identifier will not form part of your business name, meaning that you can continue to trade using the business name you have always had.

Renewals

If your business name is due to be renewed before 28 May 2012, the date of transition to the national register, you will receive your business name renewal form from the Office of Fair Trading. You will need to renew your business name in Queensland with the Office of Fair Trading, prior to the 28th of May 2012.

If your business name is due to be renewed on or after 28 May 2012, ASIC will send you a business name renewal form and you will renew with ASIC on the national register.

If your business name is due to be renewed between 28 May 2012 and mid to late June 2012, you may receive your renewal notice from ASIC a bit later than you would normally expect it. If you do, you will get an extension of time in which to renew, so that you are not disadvantaged.

Office of Fair Trading - Transitional arrangements

Last date accepted	Online	Service Centre (in person)	Post
New business name applications	N/A	4pm 25 May	Received in our office by 24 May
Changes to existing business name applications	N/A	4pm 25 May	Received in our office by 24 May
Requests for certificates	N/A	4pm 25 May	Received in our office by 24 May
Requests for extracts	N/A	4pm 25 May	Received in our office by 24 May
Renewals payments	N/A	4pm 28 August Regional offices and Magistrates Courts - 4 pm 27 August	Received in our office by 27 August

Fees

Once the transition to the national register is complete, fees for Queensland businesses will be cheaper. Online payment options such as BPay and credit card payment will be available. Registering an ABN will remain free.

New application for registration of a business name for 1 year	$30
Application for renewal of a business name for 1 year	$30
New application for registration of a business name for 3 years	$70
Application for renewal of a business name for 3 years	$70

Note: Fees are current as at 23 November 2011. They are subject to change at the start of each new financial year.

If your business name is due for renewal before 28 May 2012, you will need to renew in Queensland and pay the current Queensland fee.

You are entitled to renew for only one year in Queensland to reduce your costs.

More information

ASIC recently conducted information sessions on the new national business names service. A webcast and information pack from the sessions are available to download from the ASIC website. A list of commonly asked questions from the information sessions are also available on the ASIC website.

For further information, see ASIC's Business names page or the legislation:

Last reviewed 17/05/2012