You can register a business name online using the Australian Government Business Registration Service (BRS). The BRS combines several business and tax registrations in one place, making it even easier to start a business.
If you want to update your business name details (e.g. your address), you'll need to create an ASIC Connect account. To create an account:
Steps to sign up for ASIC Connect account
1. Go to ASIC Connect
This is our online service used for registering a business name. From the right hand side of the ASIC homepage, select the blue ASIC Connect box.
You'll be taken to ASIC Connect. Select Sign up in the blue ASIC Connect box.
2. Read the information provided in the Getting started with ASIC Connect section
This includes information on the services available in ASIC Connect. Select Sign up.
3. Enter your details.
You need to include your contact details, as well as a username and password.
Your password must:
be at least nine characters
contain one lowercase letter (a-z), one uppercase letter (A-Z), and one number (0-9), and
not share three consecutive letters with your first name, last name, or username. For instance, if your name is 'Smith' you cannot use 'Smi' in your password.
3. Agree to the terms and conditions set out in the Electronic Lodgement Protocol
Within 15 minutes, we will send you an activation email. Select the Activate ASIC Connect account link. If this does not work, copy and paste the link into a web browser.
Steps to log in
When logging in to our online services, you'll need to follow these steps:
1. Enter your username and password
Enter the username (email address) and password you provided when creating your ASIC Connect account.
2. View your account details
Once logged in, you will see your home page with a list of recently submitted transactions. You can also start a new transaction or resume a previously saved transaction.
Link your business name to your account
Before you can update your business name details, you may need to 'link' your business name to your account using your ASIC key. This makes sure that you're authorised to update the business name's details. To link your business name:
Steps to link your account
1. Go to ASIC Connect and log in to your account
If this is your first time logging in, you will be prompted to add any existing business names to your account.
2. Select the Link a business/Request ASIC key option from the Do it now menu on the right-hand side of the screen
This will start the linking transaction.
3. Answer Yes to the question and enter the details required
You will need to enter:
the business type (i.e. Business name)
your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format
your role with the business name (e.g. business name holder or authorised lodger)
the ASIC key.
Your business name has now been linked to your account.
You can also watch our video tutorial on how to link a business to your ASIC Connect account.
Video transcript - How to link a business to your ASIC Connect account
ASIC Connect is the online system used to manage your business name. In this tutorial, we’re going to look at how you can link a business to your account, so that you can renew, update, cancel or transfer your registered business name.
It’s important to note that when linking to an ASIC Connect account, you’ll be asked to provide your ASIC key, date of birth and role in administering the business.
Once logged in, you’ll be shown a list of your most recent transactions and messages.
Under the Do It Now menu on the right-hand side of the page, select Link a business/Request ASIC key.
On the next page, you’ll be provided with information about your ASIC key. You’ll then be asked whether you have an ASIC key for your business. Select Yes to proceed.
In the next box, you’ll be required to select your business type, enter your date of birth, select the role you play in administering the business you’re linking to the account, and enter your ASIC key.
Once all details are entered, you can select Link to Account.
If the business has been successfully linked to the account, you’ll be taken to a final confirmation screen. Here you can use the links to:
Go to Lodgements and notifications
Link another business to your account
Request an ASIC key for another business or
You can select ‘Home’ to return to the ASIC Connect Home page.
You should now know the basic steps involved in linking a business to your ASIC Connect account.
Further assistance using ASIC Connect can be accessed be selecting the Help button at the top-right of the screen. You can also take a look at any of the other helpful tutorials available.
Details you can update online
You can register a business name or renew your existing registration using ASIC Connect. You can also update all your information online, including addresses, name and other details.
User guides for business names holders
User guides
Our user guides provide step-by-step instructions for completing business name transactions in ASIC Connect.
Where available we include an additional video tutorial for some options.
Do you need more information on how we are making it easier to do business?
Check out our National Business Names Register guide (PDF) that includes useful information on how to register and renew a business name, update details, close or sell a business name and searching the register.
Frequently asked questions
About
Q. What will happen if I had identical business names registered in multiple states/territories?
A. If your business name is registered in more than one state or territory, all your business names will have transferred to ASIC's national business names register. You may now have multiple identical business names registered to you. You can choose to keep one business name record (e.g. the business name with the latest registration expiry date) and cancel the registration of your other remaining business names. There is no fee to cancel a business name.
Keeping only one business name may reduce the administrative burden of maintaining several business name registrations (including receiving multiple notices for each registration) and minimise the potential for confusion from consumers in determining the business name holder’s correct details.
Q. Can I have multiple business names held by the same entity with the one ABN?
A. Yes. Multiple business names can be registered to a single ABN.
Q. If you have a trademark, do you also need to register a business name?
A. Each business should assess whether this is needed depending on their circumstances. A business name registration is separate from a trademark and does not protect your trademark rights. For more information on trademarks and intellectual property visit the IP Australia website.
Q. What is a trading name and is it different to a business name?
A. Before 28 May 2012, the Australian Business Register (ABR) collected names used by entities to carry out their business activities. The ABR displays this name as a trading name.
Q. Can I change my ASIC Connect username (email address)?
A. No, unfortunately the username (email address) can't be changed. If you wish to change the username (email address), you will need to create a new account.
Register
Q. Will ASIC issue a business name certificate, and do I need to display it?
A. There is no legal requirement for us to issue, or businesses to display, certificates of registration. However, in response to customer feedback we will issue a record of registration following registration and each renewal. You do not need to display the record of registration, although you may wish to. You are still required to display the business name.
You can request a reprint of the Record of Registration by contacting us.
Q. What if I disagree with the outcome of my application to register a business name?
A. You can request a review of an ASIC decision by lodging your request within 28 days of being notified of the decision. You should submit a copy of your application. If you are still not satisfied with our decision, you may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for further review.
Q. How can I register a franchise name?
A. Registering a franchise name is the same as registering any other business name. We will apply the same tests to check if the name is available. You do not need to give us a copy of a letter of consent to register a franchise name. It is up to you to make sure you are complying with the terms and conditions of your particular franchise agreement.
There may also be other legislation – which we don’t administer – that applies to carrying on business as a franchise. You should seek your own professional advice if you are unsure of your obligations when entering into a franchise agreement.
Q. I want to register a business name which is identical to a registered company using the ABN of my trust?
A. Where you seek to register a business name using the Australian Business Number (ABN) for a trust and the name is identical to that of a trustee company, the name will show as not available. This is because the name is already taken by the trustee company.
The trustee company is the only entity that is entitled to register the name as a business name. You have the option to register the business name to the ABN of the trustee company. After the business name has been registered the trustee company can initiate the process of transferring the business name to the trust.
Update
Q. How can I make changes to my business name registration details?
A. You can use ASIC Connect to update business name details. You must ensure your details in the business names register are kept up-to-date. For example, you may need to update your email address, address for service of documents or business name holder details. You cannot change your registered business name.
If you want to trade under a new or different name, or you have misspelt the name you must register a new one.
Q. Why would I ask ASIC to suppress information from appearing on the public register?
A. You might ask us to do this if you believe there is a risk to the personal safety of an individual, their family or individuals in their place of business. We will consider each application on its merits.
Q. I am trying to update my business name details in ASIC Connect but my business name is not listed under the lodgements and notifications tab?
A. To perform any business name transaction in ASIC Connect you must first link your business name to your account. You will need your ASIC key to do this.
Need more help? See our Business names user guides for easy-to-understand user guides on linking a business name to your account.
Q. My business name is not appearing under my ABN on the Australian Business Register website. How can I update this?
A. If your business name was registered before 28 May 2012, you may not have been required to provide an Australian Business Number (ABN). However, you can add an ABN to your business name holder details by conducting an Add ABN transaction in ASIC Connect.
Q. Can I change the ABN which is linked to my business name to another entity?
A. No, you will need to transfer the business in ASIC Connect using the cancel/transfer business name transaction. A secure transfer number will be sent to the email address recorded for the business name. If there is no email address recorded, we will send it to the business name’s address for service of documents recorded on the Business Names Register. Once the secure transfer number has been received the business name can be registered to the new ABN using the transfer number in ASIC Connect.
Renew
Q. I am not sure when my business name is due for renewal?
A. You can check the renewal date for your registered business name on ASIC Connect. Select the Business Names Register tab and search within the Business Names Index which you select from the drop-down box.
Q. What happens if I don't renew my business name?
Q. Can I have an extension of time to pay my fees?
A. No. You will have until the due date shown on the renewal notice to pay the registration renewal fee.
Q. Will ASIC waive fees in exceptional circumstances?
A. No, ASIC does not have the authority to waive fees for the registration or renewal of a business name.
Q. What are the differences between company annual reviews and business names renewals?
A. Companies and business names are governed by different legislation. Registering a company is different to registering a business name and both have different statutory fees for their ongoing registration.
Transfer
Q. My business name is identical to another business name. Can I transfer it to a new holder?
A. Yes, if the identical business name was registered before 28 May 2012.
Q. Why do I have to cancel my business name to transfer it? Can't I just change the proprietor?
A. The law does not allow you to transfer or assign a business name to another holder. However, you can choose to cancel the business name and notify us of your consent to transfer the business name to another holder.
This can be done in the same transaction. When you submit a request to cancel the business name, select the Cancel and transfer option. We will then email you the transfer number.
You can then provide this number to the new proposed business name holder, where they can use it to apply to register for the business name. If the new registration does not occur within three months from cancellation, the transfer number will expire and the name will become available for the public to register.
Q. Where will the secure transfer number be sent?
A. Once we have received your request to transfer your business name, we will send you a notice with the secure transfer number. You must pass this on to the new holder so they can apply to register the business name in their name.
If you have provided an email address, you will receive the notice within minutes of completing your transfer transaction. Otherwise you will receive the notice by mail at the service of documents address of the business name.
Q. Can I receive a refund if I transferred the business name shortly after paying the renewal?
A. Once a business name has been transferred to a new holder, the previous holder cannot request a refund of their renewal fees. Renewal periods are non-transferable to any new business name holder.
Your ASIC key is a unique number used in ASIC Connect that helps us establish your identity and protects your business information by making sure only you and those you have authorised can access it.
Your industry funding security key is a unique number used to launch an online transaction in the ASIC Regulatory Portal that will enable us to calculate your final industry funding invoice. You will be prompted to submit business activity metric information on the operation of your business in the previous financial year.
