Selecting a registration period
Authority to lodge the application
Proposed business name
The name availability check tool will return one of the following results:
- Green - The name is available for registration.
- Amber - The name may not be available as it has not passed the name availability test. To register the name, you will need to complete your application. It will be reviewed by ASIC who will notify you, generally within two business days, of whether the name is available.
- Red - The name is not available for registration. You will need to apply directly with ASIC or try another name.
- Red (transfer) - The name is held for transfer from the current holder to a new holder. If you are the new holder, you will need to apply directly with ASIC and provide the transfer number. If you are not the new holder, you will need to check the availability of another name.
- Red (system error) - The name availability check tool is not in service. You can try again or apply later directly with ASIC.
The name availability check tool may also return names of organisations or business with the same or similar names to the name you wish to register. You can click on the name and check its status on the ASIC register.
Selecting a registration period
You may choose to register a business name for one or three years. You will receive a discount if you select to register for three years.
Business name holder details
If you are an individual/sole trader, you must provide:
- your date and place of birth – for identification purposes, and
- your residential address.
These details will not be displayed on ASIC's public register or in any public searches.
For more information on how ASIC will use your details, read ASIC's privacy statement.
Address details
Address for service of documents - You will need to provide an Australian street address (not a post office box) so we can send you mail. ASIC will display this address on their public register.
Principal place of business - You will need to provide an Australian street address (not a post office box) for where your business operations are conducted.
If you are an individual/sole trader, and your principal place of business and residential address are the same, ASIC will only display the suburb, postcode and state or territory of the principal place of business in its business name search results.
Email - You will need to provide an email address so we can send you important notices such as a record of your business name registration or renewal notices.
Mobile number (SMS) - If you like, you can provide ASIC with an Australian mobile phone number. This will allow them to send you SMS reminders or alerts, including when changes are made to your details in the business names register. No phone calls will be made to this number.
Declarations you must make
Before you submit your application to register a business name, you must declare that certain statements are true.
You must declare that:
- you are not disqualified from managing corporations under section 206B(1) of the Corporations Act 2001, and
- within the last five years you have not been convicted of, or released from prison after being convicted of, and serving a term of imprisonment for, any of the criminal offences referred to in section 32(1)(c) or (d) of the Business Names Registration Act 2011.
If you are unable to declare these statements are true, you cannot register your business name via the ABR. You will need to register it directly with ASIC.
You must also declare that the application is compliant with the terms and conditions of the ASIC Electronic Lodgement Protocol.
Authority to lodge the application
If you are not the business name holder, you must be authorised by the proposed business name holder to make each of the declarations and submit the application on their behalf.