Register a business name |
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You need to register a business name if you trade under a name that isn’t your natural or corporate name.
See who needs to register a business name?
Registering a name
To register your business name, you must:
- decide on a preferred business name, and check its availability and suitability
- complete Business Names Act Form 1 - Application for registration of a business name (PDF, 490 KB)
- provide originals or certified copies of your and other business owners’ identification, such as a passport, drivers licence, tertiary student card (with photo and signature), public service identity card, pension concession card, 18+ card, birth certificate or extract from a birth entry (see below for instructions for getting documents certified)
- pay the registration fee of $126.00 for 1 year or $241.00 for 3 years
- lodge your application (see the application form for lodgement details).
Processing times
- Up to 2 hours - in person at a Fair Trading counter
- 2-4 hours - in person at SmartLicence or call 1300 363 711 for regional locations
- 5-10 working days - by mail or fax to Registration Services
- Up to 5 working days - mail to SmartLicence
- At least 10 working days - in person at a Magistrates Court or QGAP office
Certifying identification documents
Take the original document and a copy to a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declarations. They will stamp and/or sign the copy and write ‘This is a true copy of the original document’.
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has a list of JPs in your area. Otherwise, contact your local post office, courthouse, bank, shopping centre manager or pharmacy.
We will return your original documents to you after we assess your application. Please note that a photocopy is not a certified document.
Refunds for unsuccessful applications
If we decline your application and you don’t wish to continue trying to register a business name, you can withdraw the application in writing. We will cancel your application and send you a partial refund after we cover our administration costs.
If you do not respond to our decline letter within two months, we will treat this as a cancelled application and follow the same process.
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Last reviewed 02/11/2009 |
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