Before you register a company

Before you register a company, there are some things to consider. Here we explain what to do before starting your application to register a company.

Business.gov.au has a great 'Help me decide' tool that can help you work out the business structure that will best suit your needs and what registrations you should consider.

Once you're ready, you can register your company online using the Business Registration Service, or through a private service provider.

Checklist for registering a company

Before you start your application to register a company, make sure you have all the information you need on hand.

To find out what information you need before you start your application, see our checklist for registering a company.

Company name availability

Check to see if a company name is available by using our company name availability search.

Find out more about company name availability.

How to protect your company name

Registering a company name does not protect you against third party claims for trademark infringement.

To help ensure your proposed company name doesn't infringe on an existing registered trademark, you can use IP Australia's TM Checker tool to complete an initial check on the availability of your trademark for free. Many businesses also seek advice from a professional attorney before using a new business name or trademark.  

For more information, watch IP Australia’s video on YouTube 

For information on updating your company details, see Changes to your company.

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Last updated: 04/12/2023 11:28