Register your new business name.
**How to Check if a Business Name Already Exists: A Comprehensive Guide**
When starting a new business in Australia, one of the crucial steps is to check if your proposed business name already exists. This is essential to ensure that your business operates under a unique and distinct identity. In this article, we will explore the various methods and tools available to check if a business name already exists.
### Using ASIC Connect
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) provides a comprehensive tool called ASIC Connect, which allows you to search for business names. To use ASIC Connect, follow these steps:
1. Visit the ASIC website at www.asic.gov.au.
2. Click on the ‘Business names’ tab.
3. Select the ‘Search business names register’ tab.
4. Enter your proposed business name in the search box.
5. Click ‘Go’ to view the results.
ASIC Connect will display one of three results:
– **Name available**: The name is available for registration.
– **Name requires manual decision**: The name needs to be manually reviewed by ASIC.
– **Name not available**: The name is already registered by another business.
### ABN Lookup
Another useful tool for checking business name availability is the Australian Business Register’s ABN Lookup. This tool allows you to search for existing business names and check if your proposed name is available. To use ABN Lookup, follow these steps:
1. Visit the ABN Lookup website.
2. Enter your proposed business name in the search box.
3. Click ‘Search’ to view the results.
### Business.gov.au
Business.gov.au also offers a business name check tool. This tool allows you to search for existing business names and check if your proposed name is available. To use Business.gov.au, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Business.gov.au website.
2. Click on the ‘Business name check’ tab.
3. Enter your proposed business name in the search box.
4. Click ‘Search’ to view the results.
### Additional Tips
When checking for business name availability, it is essential to consider the following:
– **Identical names**: Ensure that your proposed name is not identical to an existing business name.
– **Similar names**: Check if your proposed name is similar to an existing business name, as this could cause brand confusion.
– **Restricted terms**: Avoid using restricted terms such as ‘Bank’ or ‘Royal’ in your business name.
– **Undesirable names**: Ensure that your proposed name is not undesirable or offensive.
### Conclusion
Checking if a business name already exists is a crucial step in the business registration process. By using the tools and methods outlined above, you can ensure that your business operates under a unique and distinct identity. For more information on registering a business name in Australia, visit **[register.biz.au](https://register.biz.au)**.
