June 21, 2019

Registering a business name in Australia

Updated: 3 December 2019

Your business name is the name you call your business when you carry on your business in Australia.

And it’s the name that appears on your website or your shop front.

You’ll need to register a business name if you run your business under a name other than your own.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission

You’ll register your business name with ASIC. And this step allows you to use your business name in any state or territory in Australia.

Business name vs company

And a business name is just that, it does not have its own legal personality and it's not a company.

On the other hand, a company is a separate legal entity. I wrote about this here. 

Intellectual property protection

Registering a business name does not provide you with intellectual property protection but it is mandatory.

You can apply for a trademark if you want to protect your business name on the IP Australia website. 

Business name renewal

Finally, you’ll need to renew your business name either yearly or every 3 years.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below.

I wish you every success in your ventures!


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About the author 

Vivian Michael

As founder and lawyer at Michael Law Group, Vivian advises Australia's top entrepreneurs on business and employment matters. Clients benefit from Vivian's commercially focussed and pragmatic legal advice, business experience, and commitment to deliver the best quality business legal services to her clients.

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