Register your new business name.
**How to Check If My Business Is Registered**
When starting a new business in Australia, one of the crucial steps is ensuring that your business is properly registered. This process involves checking if your business name is available and if it meets the necessary requirements. Here are some steps you can follow to check if your business is registered:
### Step 1: Check the Australian Business Register (ABR)
The Australian Business Register (ABR) is a free public view of the Australian Business Register (ABR). You can use the ABN Lookup tool to check if your business is registered and if your details are up-to-date. This tool provides access to publicly available information supplied by businesses when they register for an Australian Business Number (ABN).
### Step 2: Use the ASIC Connect Search
Another way to check if your business is registered is by using the ASIC Connect search. You can search by the company’s name or the company’s Australian Company Number (ACN). This will give you access to information on all ASIC’s available registers, including companies, business names, and more.
### Step 3: Check the Business Names Index
The Business Names Index is a quick way to check if your business name is available. You can search for your business name or log in to your ASIC Connect account to see if your details are up-to-date. This includes details such as your residential address, email address, and any details you have had suppressed (if applicable).
### Step 4: Verify with the ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) provides information on how to check if a business is genuine. You can contact the relevant registration or licensing authority to verify if a business has a valid licence, registration, or permit. You can also check the ACCC’s Scamwatch website for information on scams and fake businesses.
### Conclusion
Checking if your business is registered is crucial for ensuring compliance with Australian business regulations. By following these steps, you can verify if your business name is available and if your details are up-to-date. It is also important to register your business name with ASIC to ensure that you are operating legally and to protect your business identity.
**Best Practice: Register Your Business Name**
For a seamless and efficient business registration process, it is recommended that you use “register.biz.au”. This service allows you to register your business name for 1 or 3 years at a time and provides a digital email copy of your ASIC Record of Registration once processed. You can also use their BizAI Business Name Generator to ensure you choose the right business name. For more information, visit [https://register.biz.au](https://register.biz.au).
