If you want to establish a company in Australia, joining its roughly 2.7 million businesses, one of the first legal steps is registering your business name. Business name registration links your trading name to your Australian Business Number (ABN) and gives you the legal right to operate under that name. The process is relatively fast and can be done entirely online.

Below, we’ll discuss how to register a business name in Australia, what it costs, how long it takes, and what to set up once your name is officially registered.

What’s in this article?

• What is business name registration in Australia?
  
• Why do you need to register a business name in Australia?
  
• How do you choose the right business name for your Australian company?
  
• How do you register a business name in Australia?
  
• How much does it cost to register a business name in Australia?
  
• How long does business name registration take in Australia?
  
• What should you set up after registering your business name in Australia?
  
• How Stripe Atlas can help
  

What is business name registration in Australia?

​​In Australia, a business name is the public-facing name you trade under. It’s the name customers see on your website, invoices, storefront, and marketing. It can be different from the legal name you use, which can be your own name (if you’re a sole trader), the name of a partnership, the name of a proprietary limited company, or the name of an incorporated association.

Business name registration is the process of officially linking that trading name to your ABN on the national business names register of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). In Australia, business name registration is separate from company registration. It doesn’t grant you exclusive rights to the name.

Why do you need to register a business name in Australia?

Registering a business name in Australia is a legal requirement if you want to trade under a specific name. It helps establish transparency, credibility, and clarity.

Here’s why you need to register a business name in Australia:

• Legal obligation: If you trade under any name other than your own personal name, you must register that business name. Operating under an unregistered name when registration is required is an offense under Australian law.

• Public transparency: Registration places your business name on ASIC’s national business names register and links it to your ABN. This allows customers, suppliers, and regulators to verify who’s behind a business and confirm that it’s properly established.

• Right to trade nationally: Once your name is registered, you have the legal right to trade under it anywhere in Australia.

• Commercial credibility: A registered business name signals legitimacy. Using your business name to issue invoices, sign contracts, open bank accounts, and generally operate demonstrates legitimacy to clients, partners, and financial institutions.

• Brand foundation: Registration formalizes your trading identity, although it doesn’t grant trademark protection. A trademark is required for exclusive rights to a name.

How do you choose the right business name for your Australian company?

Choosing a business name is a branding decision with legal consequences. The name should work commercially, be unique, and scale with the business you plan to build.

Here are some tips for choosing the right business name for your Australian company:

• Make it clear and relevant: A strong business name is easy to pronounce, spell, and remember. The name should reflect your product, service, or positioning without restricting your options.

• Think about long-term positioning: Your business name should still make sense in five years. Consider whether it’ll support new products, new markets, or new distribution channels without feeling outdated.

• Test for unintended meanings: Say the name out loud. Consider how it reads internationally. Check for double meanings or industry-specific language that could mislead or alienate customers.

• Check ASIC availability early: Search ASIC’s business names register as you consider options. You can’t register a name that someone else has already registered as a business name or a trademark.

• Look for existing trademarks: Business name registration doesn’t give you intellectual property (IP) rights. Use IP Australia’s trademark search tool to confirm your proposed name doesn’t conflict with an existing registered trademark in your industry.

• Research beyond the register: A name might not be registered with ASIC but it could already be widely used online. That can create brand confusion and reputational risk.

How do you register a business name in Australia?

Business name registration can be done relatively quickly and entirely online. Here are the steps.

Get an ABN

You must have an active ABN to register a business name. If you don’t have one, you can apply for an ABN and register your business name at the same time through the Australian government’s Business Registration Service.

Choose your business structure

Before you register a business name, you must select a business structure. It’s possible to change it, but remember that your choice affects taxes, licenses, and more.

Create an ASIC Connect account

Business name registrations are managed through ASIC Connect. You’ll need to create an account or log in if you already have one.

Search your proposed business name

Use ASIC’s business names register to see whether your preferred name is available. This is separate from a trademark check.

Start a new business name registration

Within ASIC Connect, select “Licences and registrations” and then “Business name registration.” Confirm whether you already have an ABN and enter the required details. Names are case-sensitive. Enter the exact name you intend to trade under. Even small spelling differences matter, so double-check formatting before you continue. You can register the name for one year or three. The longer period reduces renewal frequency and is often more efficient.

Provide holder and business details

To apply, you’ll need to list your ABN, your chosen business name, and your business structure. The business name will be linked directly to the ABN holder. Before you submit, review every detail, particularly the spelling and ABN information.

Pay the registration fee

ASIC requires payment within 10 business days of application approval. If payment isn’t received within the deadline, the application will be refused.

Receive the confirmation and certificate

Once payment is processed, ASIC usually registers the business name within 48 hours. You’ll receive an email that confirms the name is officially registered.

How much does it cost to register a business name in Australia?

ASIC charges 45 Australian dollars (AUD) to register a business name for one year and 104 AUD to do so for three years. This fee applies to both new registrations and renewals. You must pay the registration fee within 10 business days of approval. If payment isn’t received within that time frame, the application will be refused and you’ll need to reapply.

Business names must be renewed before expiry. ASIC will send renewal reminders, but responsibility ultimately sits with the business owner. Businesses can choose the three-year option to reduce renewal frequency and administrative overhead.

Beware third-party notices that request additional payment and emails that don’t come from the email address ASIC.Transaction.No-reply@asic.gov.au. Fraudulent actors might try to use similar-looking addresses.

How long does business name registration take in Australia?

Once your payment is received, ASIC typically registers the business name within 48 hours. After registration, ASIC will send a confirmation email.

What should you set up after registering your business name in Australia?

Registration makes your trading name official. Afterward, you can use that registered name to develop a functioning business presence.

Here’s what you should do next:

• Display your business name correctly: Australian law requires you to clearly display your business name wherever you operate. That includes both physical locations and correspondence, although there are exceptions.

• Open a dedicated business bank account: Keeping business finances separate from personal accounts helps improve reporting accuracy, simplify tax compliance, and build credibility with suppliers and financial institutions.

• Register for GST, if required: If your goods and services tax (GST) turnover is 75,000 AUD or more, you must register for GST. Some businesses choose to register voluntarily, depending on their models.

• Set up accounting and recordkeeping systems: Implement structured bookkeeping from the start. Accurate financial records support compliance, cash flow management, and investor or lender confidence.

• Secure your domain and digital assets: You can register the matching domain name and relevant social media handles, even if you’re not launching a full website immediately. Securing these digital identifiers helps protect your brand.

• Establish payments infrastructure: Stripe Payments allows Australian businesses to accept major card networks and digital payment methods, manage invoicing, and integrate checkout directly into websites or platforms.

• Consider trademark protection: Business name registration doesn’t grant exclusive IP rights. If brand protection is strategically important, explore trademark registration through IP Australia.

• Review licenses and compliance requirements: Depending on your industry, you could need additional permits or regulatory approvals before you can trade.

How Stripe Atlas can help

Stripe Atlas sets up your company’s legal foundations so you can fundraise, open a bank account, and accept payments within two business days from anywhere in the world.

Join 75K+ companies incorporated using Atlas, including startups backed by top investors like Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.

Applying to Atlas

Applying to form a company with Atlas takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll choose your company structure, instantly confirm whether your company name is available, and add up to four cofounders. You’ll also decide how to split equity, reserve a pool of equity for future investors and employees, appoint officers, and then e-sign all your documents. Any cofounders will receive emails inviting them to e-sign their documents, too.

Accepting payments and banking before your EIN arrives

After forming your company, Atlas files for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Founders with a US Social Security number, address, and cell phone number are eligible for IRS expedited processing, while others will receive standard processing, which can take a little longer. Additionally, Atlas enables pre-EIN payments and banking, so you can start accepting payments and making transactions before your EIN arrives.

Cashless founder stock purchase

Founders can purchase initial shares using their IP (e.g., copyrights or patents) instead of cash, with proof of purchase stored in your Atlas Dashboard. Your IP must be valued at $100 or less to use this feature; if you own IP above that value, consult a lawyer before proceeding.

Automatic 83(b) tax election filing

Founders can file an 83(b) tax election to reduce personal income taxes. Atlas will file it for you—whether you are a US or non-US founder—with USPS Certified Mail and tracking. You’ll receive a signed 83(b) election and proof of filing directly in the Stripe Dashboard.

World-class company legal documents

Atlas provides all the legal documents you need to start running your company. Atlas C corp documents are built in collaboration with Cooley, one of the world’s leading venture capital law firms. These documents are designed to help you fundraise immediately and ensure your company is legally protected, covering aspects like ownership structure, equity distribution, and tax compliance.

A free year of Stripe Payments, plus $50K in partner credits and discounts

Atlas collaborates with top-tier partners to give founders exclusive discounts and credits. These include discounts on essential tools for engineering, tax, finance, compliance, and operations from industry leaders like AWS, Carta, and Perplexity. We also provide you with your required Delaware registered agent for free in your first year. Plus, as an Atlas user, you’ll access additional Stripe benefits, including up to a year of free payment processing for up to $100K in payment volume.

Learn more about how Atlas can help you set up your new business quickly and easily, or get started today.