How to Register a Business Name in Australia (and Check Availability)
Quick answer
To register a business name in Australia, check the name is available on ASIC’s register, make sure you have an ABN, then register online with ASIC or through the government’s Business Registration Service. From 1 July 2026 it costs $47 for one year or $108 for three years. You don’t need a business name if you trade under your own name.
Your business name is often the first thing customers see. Here’s how to check it’s available, register it properly and protect it.
Do you need to register a business name?
You must register a business name if you trade under any name other than your own. For a sole trader, “your own name” means your first name and surname, or initials and surname, with nothing added.
| Trading as… | Register a business name? |
|---|---|
| Jane Smith | No |
| J. Smith | No |
| Jane Smith Plumbing | Yes |
| Sparkle Cleaning Services | Yes |
Companies trading under their exact company name, such as “Sparkle Cleaning Pty Ltd”, don’t need a separate business name. If the company trades as “Sparkle Cleaning” without “Pty Ltd”, it does.
Step 1: Check business name availability
Search ASIC’s business name register (ASIC Connect) to see whether your name, or something nearly identical, is already registered. Names that differ only by punctuation, plurals or words like “the” are usually treated as identical.
- Search the ASIC business names register
- Search ABN Lookup for businesses using similar names
- Search IP Australia’s trade mark register
- Check the matching website domain and social media handles
Step 2: Get your ABN
You need an ABN to register a business name. If you don’t have one yet, it’s free and quick. See how to get an ABN as a sole trader.
Step 3: Register the name
Register online through ASIC or the Business Registration Service at business.gov.au, which lets you apply for an ABN and business name together. Choose a one-year or three-year registration and pay the fee.
| Registration period | ASIC fee from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47 |
| 3 years | $108 |
Step 4: Keep it active
- Renew before it expires, or the name can be cancelled and taken by someone else.
- Update ASIC if your address or other details change.
- Display your business name wherever you deal with customers, and show your ABN on invoices.
A business name is not a trade mark
Registering a business name doesn’t give you ownership of it or stop others using a similar name in a different context. To protect your brand, consider registering a trade mark with IP Australia. It’s more expensive, but it gives you legal rights to the name for your goods or services.
Tip: Before you pay for a logo or signage, check that the name is available as a business name, a domain and a trade mark. Changing names later is far more expensive.
Starting a company instead?
If you’re setting up a Pty Ltd, we’ll register the company and help you sort out the name, ABN and TFN.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sole trader need a business name?
Only if you trade under a name other than your own first name and surname.
How long does business name registration take?
Online registrations are often approved straight away, as long as the name is available and your ABN is active.
Can I register a business name without an ABN?
In most cases, no. You need an ABN, or to have applied for one, to register a business name.
What’s the difference between a business name and a company name?
A company name is the legal name of a company registered with ASIC. A business name is a name a person or company trades under. Read our guide to company name availability.
This article is general information only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Fees shown apply from 1 July 2026. Check asic.gov.au before registering.
