Who needs to register a business name? |
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You need to register a business name only if you trade under a name that isn’t your own.
If you are a registered company, you need to register your business name only if it is different from your registered company name.
We keep a public register of business names so that anyone can identify business name owners.
Individual names
If you trade under your own name - your given names and/or initials followed by your surname - you don’t need to register it.
However, you need to register if you:
- add anything to your name
- do not use any part of your name
- use a completely different name.
Examples where registration is not necessary
- Trading name: A W Brown; Owner: Alan Walter Brown
- Trading name: Alan W Brown; Owner: Alan Walter Brown
- Trading name: A J & J Smith; Owners: Alfred John Smith and June Smith
- Trading name: Cathy Hayes; Owner: Catherine Hayes (the applicant is known as Cathy)
Examples where registration is necessary
- Trading name: Pacific Electric; Owner: Alan Walter Brown
- Trading name: A W Brown Electrical; Owner: Alan Walter Brown
- Trading name: A W Brown and Associates; Owners: Alan Walter Brown and John Stephens
Corporation/company names
If a company trades under a registered company name, its name doesn't need to be registered.
However, if it trades under even a slightly different name, it does need to be registered.
Example where registration is not necessary
- Trading name: ABC Investments Pty Ltd; Owner: ABC Investments Pty Ltd
Examples where registration is necessary
- Trading name: ABC Investments; Owner: ABC Investments Pty Ltd
- Trading name: Curtains Galore; Owner: ABC Investments Pty Ltd
Interstate businesses
What if I live in Queensland but run a business in another state?
You need to register your business name with the appropriate government department in the state where you run your business.
You don't need to register your business name in Queensland unless you have a place of business in Queensland. This means you can still sell your goods and services to anyone in Queensland while having a business location and name registered in another state.
List of relevant state departments:
- NSW Department of Commerce (Office of Fair Trading)
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
- WA Department of Consumer and Employer Protection
- Fair Trading Tasmania
- Northern Territory Department of Justice (Consumer Affairs)
- South Australia Office of Consumer and Business Affairs
- ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety (Office of Regulatory Services).
What if I don't live in Queensland but run a business in Queensland?
You need to register your business name with us. When you register your business name, you'll need to provide the street address of all of the business locations in Queensland.
What happens if I don't register my business name?
If you meet all the conditions for registering your business name and don't register, you can be taken to court and fined. The maximum fine is $3000.
Last reviewed 28/08/2009 |
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