Need help with business name issues?

If you have an issue with registering a business name, or with a business name you’ve already registered, look for the solution here. If you don’t find it, contact us.

If your personal details are on the business names register

Some details on the business names register are public. If you are worried about your safety or there are other exceptional circumstances, you can ask us to hide (supress) some details.

Find out more about hiding your personal details on the business names register.

If your business name registration application has been rejected

There are several reasons your application to register your business name could be rejected.

Usually, it is because your name is identical or nearly identical to someone else’s, or because it does not comply with the laws around what words and expressions you can use.

Find out more about the rules for acceptable business names.

It may be because your registration fee has not been paid within 10 business days from the time you applied.

See information about Fee payments and queries

If you applied for registration with ASIC using an ABN reference number but then did not receive an ABN because the application was refused, we will reject your application to register your business name.

Contact the Business Registration Service about your ABN.

If none of these reasons apply, contact us.

If ASIC has cancelled your business name registration

ASIC may cancel your business name. Usually this is because you have not renewed your registration by the due date but there are some other reasons. Sometimes you can stop the cancellation or restore your business name.

Find out more about what do when ASIC cancels a business name.

If you have become disqualified from holding a business name

If you are convicted of some types of criminal offences or are disqualified from managing corporations, you cannot hold a business name. You must tell us if you’re a business name holder and become disqualified from holding a business name.

Find out more about people who cannot hold a business name.

If someone else has a similar business name

Registering a business name means another business cannot register an identical or nearly identical name. However, it does not stop other people from registering a name that is similar.

See more about business names vs trade marks