See if the company or business name you want is free before you register it. We search ASIC’s company and business names registers and apply the same identical-name rules ASIC uses. Free, no sign-up, and if the name is available you can register it with us straight away.
Searches ASIC's company register and business names register, which ASIC updates every week.
Ignores Pty Ltd, plurals, punctuation and, for business names, word order and common equivalents, the way ASIC does.
Tells you if a word like Bank, Trust or University can't be used or needs consent first.
Name free? Register it with us straight away. We're a registered ASIC agent (44276).
ASIC won’t register a name that is identical to one already registered. “Identical” is a legal test, not just the same letters:
Our check applies these rules to ASIC’s registers. ASIC makes the final decision when the application is lodged, so register a name you like promptly.
| Company name | Business name | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A separate legal entity (Pty Ltd) with its own ACN | A trading name for a person, partnership, trust or company with an ABN |
| Registered with | ASIC, under the Corporations Act | ASIC, on the Business Names Register |
| Do you need both? | A company trading under its exact name (with Pty Ltd) needs no business name | Needed whenever you trade under a name other than your own legal name |
| Renewal | Annual review each year | Renew every 1 or 3 years |
| Trade mark protection | No, register a trade mark with IP Australia | No, register a trade mark with IP Australia |
Not on its own. Our check is a first search of ASIC’s registers using ASIC’s rules, but ASIC makes the final decision when the application is lodged, and a name someone has reserved doesn’t show up. If you like a name, register it promptly. We check it again before we lodge.
ASIC ignores things like “Pty Ltd”, “The”, plurals, capitals and punctuation, and treats “&” and “and” as the same. For business names it also ignores word order and treats everyday equivalents (like “Plumbing” and “Plumbers”) as the same word. So “Melbourne Plumbing” and “Plumbers Melbourne” are identical business names.
No. A company or business name stops someone else registering the same name, but it doesn’t give you exclusive rights to use it. To protect your brand, search and apply for a trade mark with IP Australia.
Usually yes, if the business name is registered to you or to the entity applying for the company. Tell us when you order and we’ll include the details with the application.
Some words need consent first, such as “Bank” or “Credit Union” (APRA), “University”, “Anzac” or “United Nations”. Some can’t be used in a business name at all, such as “Trust”, “Pty” or “Limited”. Our check flags these for you.
Only if you trade under a name other than the company’s full registered name. A company trading as “Smith Holdings Pty Ltd” needs no business name; trading as “Smith Plumbing” needs one.
Company, trust or sole trader? Book a free consultation with a registered tax agent and we’ll help you choose the right structure, register it and set up the tax side from day one.
Nanak Accountants & Associates
Registered tax agent 26113345
