Register your new business name.
**How to Check Availability of Business Name: A Comprehensive Guide**
When starting a new business in Australia, one of the crucial steps is to check the availability of your desired business name. This process ensures that you avoid any potential legal or reputational conflicts with existing businesses. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to check the availability of your business name.
### Conducting a Comprehensive Search
To begin, you can use the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) business names register, which is accessible for free. This register allows you to search for existing business names and identify any potential conflicts. Additionally, you can use the Australian Business Register’s ABN Lookup tool to check if your desired name is already registered under another ABN.
### Interpreting Search Results
When conducting your search, you will receive one of three results:
1. **Exact Match**: Another business has already registered your desired name. In this case, you will need to choose a different name.
2. **Similar Names**: Your desired name is similar to another business, and you will need to consider whether it could be confusing or legally precarious.
3. **No Match**: Your desired name is likely available, but it is essential to double-check with the sources above before proceeding with registration.
### Alternative Naming Options
If your desired name is already taken or too close for comfort, you have several options:
– **Using Synonyms**: Replace the word with a synonym.
– **Spelling the Word Differently**: Change the spelling of the word.
– **Translating the Business Name**: Translate the name into another language.
– **Adding Descriptive Words**: Add descriptive words to the name.
For example, if you want to name your business “Apple,” you could choose “Apple Fruit & Veg Pty Ltd” or “Pomme Pty Ltd”.
### Registering the Business Name
Once you have chosen a unique and available name, you can register it through ASIC. The registration process involves submitting your proposed name and paying the required fee. The fees for registering a business name are $42 for one year and $98 for three years.
### Tips for Registering a Business Name
– **Check for Trademarks**: Ensure that your desired name is not already a registered trademark.
– **Check for Domain Names**: Register a domain name to match your business name.
– **Check for Social Media Handles**: Register social media handles for your business.
### Conclusion
Checking the availability of your business name is a crucial step in starting a new business in Australia. By using the ASIC business names register and other tools, you can ensure that your chosen name is unique and available for registration. Remember to also check for trademarks, domain names, and social media handles to protect your business identity.
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