Ready to make your business official? You're in the right place. Whether you're turning your side hustle into a proper business or starting fresh with a brilliant idea, registering your business name is your first exciting step. Let's walk through exactly how to register your business name in Australia, without the confusion or overwhelm.

What You Need Before Registering Your Business Name

Before you dive into registration, you'll need:

An ABN (Australian Business Number)
Your personal identification
Payment method for registration fees
A shortlist of potential business names

Quick tip: Set aside about 30 minutes and around $44 for your business name registration fee once you've got everything ready.

Step-by-Step Guide to Register Your Business Name

1. Get Your ABN

First You'll need an ABN before you can register your business name. Don't have one yet? Here's the quick version:

apply for abn website — Here is a screenshot of the official ABR web page - it should look similar to this

Head to the Australian Business Registrar (ABR)’s government website (WARNING: do not register on any other website, they are either scams or on-sellers!)
Select 'Apply for an ABN'
Follow the prompts (it's free!)
Save your ABN number once approved

Woohoo! You’ve now got a sexy ABN, not so hard hey?

2. Check if Your Business Name is Available

Before falling in love with a name:

Brainstorm a list of keywords and names you’re open to
Visit ASIC's business name register
Search your list of names
Check similar names that might cause confusion
Look up domain name availability (hint: go to VentraIP and type in your name ideas to see if the domain is available)

Ultimately, you would want your business name to be available as a domain (.com ideally or .com.au at the very least) AND it’s available to register on ASIC. That is to say, it’s not already registered by someone else. Otherwise, it’s back to the creative drawing board. It’s not easy but you will eventually get there! People are creating new businesses every day around the world, you will find the right one for you.

Choosing a Great Business Name

Before you register, ask yourself:

Is it easy to spell and pronounce?
Does it work as a web address? (Sometimes multiple words combined as a domain might spell or be pronounced something different!)
Is it available on social media?
Could it limit your business growth?
Does it need explanatory taglines?

While we're on the topic of the practical steps of registering your business name above, let's dig into some fascinating research from data-backed marketing blog Science Says about how to choose a memorable brand name. Some tips:

Use strong consonants like P, T, K, B, D, or G (think PayPal or our own beloved Boost Juice) to help your name take root in people's minds.
Love a bit of wordplay or alliteration? Think DoorDash or Krispy Kreme. However, their research warns against blending two words (like 'Intellivision') as this can make your name wither in people's memory. While creative spelling might seem trendy, their studies suggest customers aren't keen unless there's a strategic reason.
The most fruitful business names often have a natural connection to your product or service, helping customers instantly understand what you're all about.

How to Register Your Business Name: The Actual Process

Once logged into ASIC Connect, look for the ‘Register a business name’ link!

Create an ASIC Connect account
Select 'Link your ABN'
Choose 'Register a Business Name'
Enter your preferred business name
Select registration period (1 or 3 years)
Pay the registration fee
Download & save your registration certificate once it comes through

Once your registration has been processed, you’ll receive the official certificate via email. Your business name will be searchable on the public register and you can start using your registered name legally! Don’t forget to register your domain name (note: you’ll need your ABN if you’re buying a .com.au domain) and your social media accounts. Even if you don’t plan to use social media immediately for your business, it is worth “saving” your name on the platforms so you own the handle - e.g. @yourbusinessname or similar.

You now also have all that you need to set up your business bank account!

Common Questions About Business Name Registration

Do I need a business name registration? Not always. If you're trading under your exact legal name (like "Jane Smith"), you don't need to register a business name. But if you want to trade as anything else (like "Jane's Design Studio"), you'll need to register.
How long does registration take? Usually just minutes if you have all your documents ready. Your business name is registered instantly once payment is processed. You normally receive your formal certificate within 24 hours too.

Need Help Getting Started?

// COMING SOON //

We’re working on creating a downloadable Business Name Toolkit to help you:

Brainstorm the perfect name
Check its availability
Register with confidence
Set up your basic brand presence