Business names

You can search our register for information on registered and cancelled business names. This includes the business name holder, their ABN, and any other details.

This page contains:

• Search types and information available in ASIC Connect
• Check if the business name you want is available
• Paid search extracts
• Displaying your business name record of registration
• Serving documents on a business name
• Searches by government
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Search for a business name

Search types and information available in ASIC Connect

You can perform a number of different business name register searches by using ASIC Connect.

Business names index search

Provides a list of registered and cancelled business names and any details we have for them.

Business name holder (individual) search

By searching using a person's name, you can see any related business names that they are linked to.

Business name holder (organisation) search

By searching using an organisation's name, you can see any related business names they are linked to.

Full details on the information available can be found on ASIC Connect. 

Check if the business name you want is available

If you want to register a business name but don't know if the name is available, use our 'Check name availability' search. You can also read more about business name availability and the tests we apply.

Check if the name is available

Paid search extracts

Most of the information on the Business Names Register is available free of charge. Some information is only available by purchasing an extract.

The fee charged will depend on the type of extract you purchase. It is a good idea to check the free information available before paying for an extract. See more information on our Fees search page.

You can buy a current and historical business name extract using ASIC Connect.

Extracts for business name holders cannot be purchased online. You will need to complete an Application for person and organisation information from the business names register (PDF, 233KB).

Some of the extracts you can buy include:

• Current and historical business name holder – organisation extract (PDF, 294KB)
• Current and historical business name holder – person extract (PDF, 284KB)
• Current business name holder – organisation extract (PDF, 291KB)
• Current business name holder – person extract (PDF, 82KB)

What information is not available?

Personal information is not available to the public for privacy reasons. This includes a person's date and place of birth and residential address.

Sometimes, the principal place of business will be the same as the holder's residential address. In these instances, only the city/suburb, state and postcode will be shown.

Displaying your business name record of registration

A business name holder does not need to display their certificate of registration. This rule was removed in 2012.

Businesses must display their business name in places where they are open to the public. For example, on their shopfront.

Searching our business name index is the best way to determine the current status of a business name.

Serving documents on a business name

Some business names may only have a postal address listed in full when you search the register. In some states, the documents can only be served on a physical (or street) address.

Check your local law to determine which address should be used.

Searches by government

Government bodies are able to access the business names register for free (in some cases).

Some agencies may also access information that is not available to the public as part of their work. For example, birth and residential address details. Business names legislation outlines the information that government agencies can access.

See Government access to business names register.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

More information

Information brokers offer services for obtaining information from ASIC and other sources.