Register your new business name.
**Australia Company Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Name for Your Business**
When starting a new business in Australia, one of the crucial steps is choosing a unique and compliant company name. This process ensures that your business identity is distinct and legally recognized. In this article, we will explore the key considerations and best practices for selecting an Australia company name.
### Importance of Unique Company Names
In Australia, company names must be distinct and not identical to existing registered names. This means that if your proposed name is similar to an existing registered name, you cannot register it and must choose a new unique one. ASIC considers a name to be identical if it is too similar to an existing registered name, even when spaces and certain characters are removed. Pluralization of the name is also taken into account, so “Dollar Shop” and “$ Shop” would be considered identical.
### Restricted Words and Phrases
Additionally, there are certain words and phrases that cannot be used in Australia company names. These include words like “Consumer,” “Bank,” “ANZAC,” and “Trustee,” as well as names that suggest a misleading connection with government or the Royal Family unless approved. Names that may be obscene or offensive to the public are also unacceptable for registration by ASIC.
### Tips for Choosing a Company Name
1. **Check Availability**: Before finalizing your business name, check for existing trademarks that might conflict. ASIC’s registration doesn’t prevent legal action from similar trademark owners. Use IP Australia’s website and the TM Checker tool to ensure your name is clear.
2. **Keep it Simple**: Choose a name that is easy to remember and spell. Avoid using numbers or special characters unless absolutely necessary.
3. **Domain Name Availability**: Ensure that your chosen name is available as a domain name. This will help you establish a professional online presence and prevent others from using your desired name.
4. **Reserve the Name**: If you want to be sure that the name will be available when you decide to register your company, you can reserve it with ASIC. This costs $59 and lasts for two months.
### Best Practices for Registering Your Company Name
1. **Use ASIC’s Name Search Tool**: Use LawPath’s Name Search tool, which is based on ASIC’s Identical Names Check facility, to confirm whether the name is available for registration.
2. **Choose the Right Legal Element**: Select the appropriate legal element for your company, such as PTY LTD, which indicates that your company is a proprietary limited company.
3. **Register Your Domain Name**: Register your chosen domain name to ensure that no one else can use it. This is especially important if you plan to establish an online presence for your business.
### Conclusion
Choosing the right Australia company name is crucial for establishing a professional and legally recognized business identity. By following these guidelines and best practices, you can ensure that your chosen name is unique, compliant, and available for registration. For more information and to register your new business name, visit [register.biz.au](https://register.biz.au).
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### References Biz Australia. (n.d.). Business Name Registration. Retrieved from
