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Business names

Ask for a review of a decision about a business name registration

If you disagree with a decision ASIC makes about a business name registration, you may be able to ask us to review it.

When you can ask for a review

You can ask for a review of a business names decision if:

  • the decision is a ‘reviewable decision’
  • you are someone who can ask for a review
  • you ask for a review in time.

Decisions you can ask ASIC to review

There are laws about which decisions ASIC can review. These 'reviewable decisions' include:

  • registration of a business name
  • refusing an application to register a business name
  • cancellation of a business name registration.

Decisions you cannot ask ASIC to review

If you want a review of a decision about consent to use an undesirable business names, you will need to ask the relevant minister. If you want to ask for a review of the minister’s review, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal.

Decisions about consent to use a business name that includes restricted words and expressions are not reviewable under the Business Names Registration Act 2011.

Who can ask for a review

Only certain people and entities can ask for a review. This includes:

  • the person or entity applying for the business name
  • the business name holder
  • a person or entity that may be negatively affected by a business name being registered.

Timelines

Most applications for a review must be lodged within 28 days after you were notified of the decision.

If you have been negatively affected by a decision to register a business name, you must lodge your application for a review within 15 months after the day the business name was registered.

Before you start

You can lodge your request on ASIC Connect. You will need to create an account if you don’t have one already. Find out how to do this:

ASIC Connect information for business name holders

Steps to ask ASIC to review a business names decision

Log in to your account

  • Log in to ASIC Connect.
  • If you created an ASIC Connect account and are logging in for the first time, select ‘No’ and go to step 2.

Start transaction

  • Select the ‘Lodgements & Notifications’ tab.
  • Go to ‘Other notifications’ and select ‘Show’. Then select the ‘Other notifications’ button.
  • Select ‘Business name’ as a business type and then select ‘Request a review of an ASIC decision’ as the notification type from the drop-down menu.
  • Select 'Next'.

Make the request

  • Enter your details and select ‘Next’ to continue.
  • In your request, you must include:
    • the business name
    • the type of decision you are asking ASIC to review
    • the reasons for your request in less than 250 characters.

Review and confirm

Review your application. Make sure the information shown is correct before you select 'Submit'.

Declare and submit

Read the declaration to make sure you agree with it. Select the ‘Next’ button to confirm your request.

Next steps

We will review your request. We may contact you if we need more information.

Appealing a decision

If you still disagree with our decision, you may apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to review it. For more information on applying to the ART, see:

Information Sheet 9 ASIC decisions: Your rights (INFO 9).

Administrative Review Tribunal decisions

Below is a list of recent decisions made by the ART in relation to business and company names.

Relevant legislation

Details about reviewable decisions are available in: