Searching the business names register

Searching the business names register is separate to searching the ASIC companies register. Business name searches can be conducted using the Business Names Index

drop-down option.

Information on registered and cancelled business names is available from ASIC Connect.

We provide this information to ensure that if an entity carries on a business under a business name, you can identify the entity behind the name and how the entity may be contacted.

User guides

See our user guide for step by step instructions on How to search the business name index.

Want more information? See our user guides section.

Recently transferred business names

Up until the 27 January 2013, ASIC was recording all transferred business names on a temporary register accessed by PDF on this page.

As of the 28 January 2013, all cancelled and transferred business name applications are now displaying on the national business names register.

This includes both the previous and current business name holder details. Both names will be displayed on the national business names register for a period of 28 days until after this time, the register will be updated to display only the details of the new business name holder.

If you want the principal place of business for a business name on this register, contact us.

Having trouble searching for a business name?

Check business name availability

Before you register a business name you can check to see if the name you wish to use is available for registration. The availability of a name will be indicated by a green, amber or red result:

green – the name is available for registration
amber – a manual decision may be required, or
red – we suggest you try another name.

We apply a series of tests when checking if a business name is available for registration. Before your register a business name you can check to see if it is available on ASIC Connect.

How to search

There are two ways to search for information about business names:

using ASIC Connect - our online search service, or
using a commercial information brokers who may offer additional services. Information brokers may provide additional services (such as extended support hours and account facilities to users) and may also include information on a business name holder from sources other than ASIC.

Search types and information available

You can search for the following information about business names in ASIC Connect:

business name search to see what information we hold about the business name
business name holder (a person or organisation) search to see what business names they hold, and
business name availability search to see if a name is available for registration and to identity similar names.

Examples of paid search extracts

Go to ASIC Connect for:

Current business name extract

(272kb)

Current and historical business name extract

(277kb)

Download and complete an Application for person and organisation information from the business names register

(233kb) paper transaction for:

Current and historical business name holder – organisation extract

(294kb)

Current and historical business name holder – person extract (284kb)

Current business name holder – organisation extract

(291kb)

Current business name holder – person extract

(82kb)

Searching existing names

Existing names as at 28 May 2012 were automatically transferred onto ASIC's national business names register. If you have the same business name registered in more than one state or territory, all of your names will be transferred onto the new register.

You can search the business names register using ASIC Connect

to confirm that your business name has been transferred to the national register and to see your registration expiry date. You can also check your address details to make sure they are correct. Existing names will appear with the former state or territory of registration and state or territory identifier.

Free information versus fee based

A large amount of information on the business names register is available free of charge. It is a good idea to check the free information before paying for an extract.

Free information includes:

business name
date registered
status - registered or cancelled
next renewal date
former state or territory of registration and identifier
current address for service of documents
current principal place of business address
business name holder's name - person or organisation
business name holder's ABN(s) - where applicable, including a direct link to the Australian Business Number (ABN) Lookup service
debtor representative's name - where applicable
notified successor's name - where applicable, and
cancellation date and whether the cancellation is under review - where applicable.

Paid information includes:

current extract (for one business name)
current and historical extract (for one business name)
current business name holder, person or organisation extract, and
current and historical business name holder, organisation extract.

Additional information you need to pay for includes:

historical information related to a business name (such as previous name and addresses)
names of partners (where the holder of the business name is a partnership), and
representative details (such as the name of an organisation representative or legal personal representative).

If the business name you wish to search has a status of cancelled, information contained in a current business name extract will be limited (i.e. you will only see free information). If you wish to find out who owned a cancelled business name and where it was located – and you wish to purchase an extract – you should purchase a current and historical business name extract (as former holder, address and representative details will be maintained as historical information).

Fees for searching

If you search by ASIC Connect

payment must be made using a credit card.

If you search by an ASIC information broker, contact them for fees and charges.

See more information about search fees

Searching by government

Local, state, territory or Australian government bodies are entitled to government access to the business names register for free (subject to conditions). Eligible government agencies may be entitled to information held on the national business names register that is not available to the public (such as personal information related to an individual business name holder, e.g. birth and residential address details).

Personal information is provided to government agencies for specific purposes outlined in the business names legislation.

Information not available

Personal information is not available to the public for privacy reasons. This includes a person's date and place of birth and residential address. Where we are aware that the principal place of business for a 'home-based' business is a person's residential address, only the city/suburb, state and postcode will be shown for a principal place of business.

If we get an application and approve it, we will remove additional information from the public register, in which case the word 'suppressed' will appear.

ASIC Website: Printed 05/21/2013

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