Key takeaways
- Business names are registered nationally through ASIC. There is no separate Queensland register.
- You only need to register a name if you trade under something other than your own name.
- Get your ABN first. It’s free on the government site.
- A registered name doesn’t give you exclusive rights. A trade mark is what does that.
- Once it’s done, line up your domain, business email and Google Business Profile. Licensed trades must also show their licence name.
How do you register a business name in Queensland?
You register it with ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, because business names are registered nationally. There’s no separate step for Queensland. You need an ABN first, or you can apply for the ABN and the name together through the government’s Business Registration Service.
Say Dave is starting up as a sparky in Chermside and wants to trade as Dave’s Electrical. He’ll need an ABN, then a name registration. If he traded as plain Dave Smith, he wouldn’t need to register a name at all. That’s the first thing to check.
Do you need to register a name?
ASIC’s rule is that you must register a business name if you run a business in Australia and you’re not trading under your own name. So you don’t need to if you are:
- a sole trader trading under your first name and surname
- a partnership trading under all of the partners’ personal names
- a company trading under its registered company name
Anything else, like “Dave’s Electrical” or “Northside Sparkies”, needs a registered business name. If you’re not sure which one you are, ask your accountant. This guide isn’t tax or legal advice.
The order to do it in
- Pick your business structure. Sole trader, partnership or company. An accountant can help you choose.
- Check your name. Search ASIC’s business names register. ASIC says green means the name is available, amber means it will assess the name after you apply, and red means it’s unavailable. Also check trade marks, because you can’t register a name that someone else has registered as a business name or a trade mark.
- Get your ABN. You need to be running a business or other enterprise. It’s free through the Australian Business Register, and you’ll need your business structure, proof of identity and details of your business activities.
- Register the name with ASIC. You can do it online. You choose a 1 year or 3 year registration, and ASIC lists the current fees on its site. Renew before it runs out.
If a site asks you to pay for an ABN, stop and check the address. The government’s own ABN registration is free. Start from abr.gov.au or business.gov.au.
GST is a separate registration. Ask your accountant whether you need it and when.
Choosing a name that won’t cause you trouble
- Keep it plain. A name that says what you do and where helps people remember you, like “Chermside Electrical”.
- Check the domain. Search for a matching .com.au before you fall in love with a name. If it’s taken, you may want a different name.
- Say it out loud on the phone. If you have to spell it twice, it’s too hard.
- Keep it the same everywhere. Google asks for your real-world business name on your Business Profile, so use the name on your ute, invoices and website.
Licensed trades have one more rule. The QBCC says licensees can use a trading name, but it must be shown with the name you’re licensed under, along with your licence number. That applies to your website and social media pages too. If your trade is licensed by someone else, check what they require.
What registering a name doesn’t do
Business.gov.au says a registered business name doesn’t give you exclusive rights to use it, and that you need a trade mark for that. ASIC says registering a name protects you from another business using an identical or nearly identical name, but it doesn’t stop others using similar words, and it doesn’t protect you from trade mark claims. If the name matters a lot to you, look into a trade mark before you spend money on signs and a ute wrap.
What to set up online once it’s registered
This is the part we help with. Business.gov.au suggests registering a domain that matches your business name before you set up a website, and it’s worth grabbing your social media names too. Then work down this list:
- A domain. For a .com.au you usually need an ABN, and the name has to match your business name, a trade mark or something you offer. Here’s how to get a .com.au and how a domain differs from hosting.
- Business email. dave@daveselectrical.com.au looks better than a free address. See how to set up business email.
- A Google Business Profile. It’s free, and it puts you on Google Maps. Our Business Profile guide for tradies goes through it.
- A website. Even a small one with your services, areas and phone number. Have a look at our websites for tradies.
Questions people ask
Do I need an ABN to register a business name?
Yes, or at least an ABN reference number if you’re applying for one. You can also apply for the ABN and the name at the same time through the Business Registration Service.
Is there a Queensland business name register?
No. Business names are registered nationally through ASIC, so you don’t need a separate step for Queensland.
Do I have to register a business name if I trade under my own name?
No. ASIC says a sole trader using their first name and surname doesn’t need to register one. Adding anything else, like “Electrical” or “Plumbing”, usually means you do.
Does registering a business name stop others using it?
Only partly. ASIC says it protects you from another business using an identical or nearly identical name, but it doesn’t stop others using similar words. Business.gov.au says that for exclusive rights you need a trade mark.
Once your name and ABN are sorted, we can set up the domain, email, Google profile and website so it all matches. Give us a call on 0432 631 964, or ask for a free website check if you already have something online.