Business names

Problems using our online business names service

If you have any problems using our online business names service you can report a difficulty with our online services.

Identical business names

For inquiries about similar business names registered before 28 May 2012 see Removing identical names.

Disputes about similar business names

For concerns about the use of a business name that is similar to your own business name, including concerns that this is confusing customers or infringing on your right to use the name, see:

• Disputes about similar business name (INFO 187).

Watch our YouTube video on Disputes about similar business names.

Or read the transcript.

For requests to review an ASIC decision about business names (registered on or after 28 May 2012) see Request review of ASIC decisions about business names.

Business Names Register

If you have concerns that a business's details are incorrect on the Business Names Register, refer to our Business Names FAQs for more information.

Other business names issues

ASIC receives reports about organisations or individuals that are:

• carrying on a business under an unregistered business name
• not including the business name in written communications
• not displaying the business name at places open to the public, or
• carrying on a business under a business name while disqualified.

Competition and fair trading (e.g. prices, advertising, product safety)

Contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for complaints about:

• prices
• competition
• pyramid selling
• consumer guarantees
• product safety
• franchises
• advertising
• debt collection in relation to non-financial services (i.e. phone and utility bills or bills for professional or trades services).

You can also contact consumer affairs in your state or territory.

Employment: wages and conditions

For details of who to contact see Disputes about employee entitlements (INFO 160).

Watch our YouTube video on Disputes about employee entitlements.

Or read the transcript.

You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if you would like to report someone who isn't complying with workplace laws or you need help in resolving a workplace issue about:

• pay – e.g. penalty rates, allowances and loadings
• leave – e.g. annual, sick, maternity and parental leave
• ending employment – e.g. notice, final pay and redundancy
• discrimination and other workplace protections
• sham contracting
• union membership and right of entry
• anything else covered by an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement.

Insolvency practitioners (liquidators, administrators and receivers)

For concerns about the conduct of insolvency practitioners, see Insolvency practitioners (liquidators, administrators and receivers).

For bankruptcy, contact the Australian Financial Security Authority for concerns about an action taken by a:

• bankruptcy trustee, including the Official Trustee
• debt agreement administrator including any person who provides assistance in setting up a debt agreement
• controlling trustee of a Part X arrangement, or
• trustee of a Personal Insolvency Agreement.

Money I have borrowed (credit cards, loans, mortgages)

ASIC receives reports about:

• consumer credit including loans, credit cards, store cards and mortgages
• consumer leases
• mortgage or finance brokers who provide credit assistance in relation to consumer credit or consumer leases
• unfair contract terms in standard form contracts for financial products and services and credit contracts
• debt collection in relation to consumer credit (i.e. loans and credit cards).

We do not settle credit disputes or award compensation. However, if there is evidence that a credit provider has acted illegally we may consider it further.

Commercial loans

We receive reports about commercial loans, including small business and farm debt, and unfair contract terms, but there are significant limits to our ability to take action. For information about disputes about commercial loans, please read Disputes about commercial loans (INFO 207).

Money I have invested (financial services and advice)

For concerns about the financial soundness of banks contact the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Running of companies

If you have concerns that a company is breaking the law, see:

• When companies break laws that ASIC does not enforce (INFO 208).

Watch our YouTube video on When companies break laws that ASIC does not enforce.

 Or read the transcript.

Financial reporting: For disputes about financial reporting responsibilities of small proprietary companies see:

• Disputes about financial reporting by small proprietary companies (INFO 190).

Watch our YouTube video on Disputes about financial reporting by small proprietary companies.

Or read the transcript.

Company mail: For disputes about receiving mail from an unrelated entity at your address see:

• Disputes about company addresses and company mail (INFO 192).

Similar company names: For disputes arising between two companies with similar names see:

• Disputes about similar company names (INFO 199).

Shareholder rights: For disputes about your rights as a member of a proprietary company see:

• Disputes about your rights as a proprietary company shareholder (INFO 188).

Watch our Youtube video on Disputes about you rights as a proprietary company shareholder.

Or read the transcript.

You can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if you would like to report someone who isn't complying with workplace laws or you need help in resolving a workplace issue about:

• pay – e.g. penalty rates, allowances and loadings
• leave – e.g. annual, sick, maternity and parental leave
• ending employment – e.g. notice, final pay and redundancy
• discrimination and other workplace protections
• sham contracting
• union membership and right of entry
• anything else covered by an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement.

ASIC receives reports about:

• how company directors and officers manage their companies
• incorrect or late release of company information to the market
• raising money from the public
• a company continuing to trade while unable to pay its debts
• how company administrators, liquidators or auditors perform their duties
• misleading or deceptive conduct to do with borrowing money
• a takeover or company restructure.

For disputes with a business that is not a registered company - for example, if a business that does not have an Australian Company Number (ACN) owes you money - contact consumer affairs in your state or territory.

Scams

Some scams that use the language of 'financial investments' are outside ASIC's responsibilities. Read more about the types of investment scams and how to reduce the risk of being scammed on Moneysmart's Investment scams page.

You can report these types of scams to SCAMwatch at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Watch our YouTube video on Different types of scams.

Or read the transcript.

Contact consumer affairs in your state or territory if your complaint is about:

• scams involving consumer goods and services
• pyramid marketing schemes not involving a financial product.

ASIC is interested in scams involving a financial product, such as:

• financial products and services promising returns that are too good to be true
• phone investment scams
• pyramid marketing schemes involving a financial product.

Shares and market misconduct (insider trading, etc.)

Superannuation and insurance

For concerns about the financial soundness of superannuation funds and insurance funds contact the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

For concerns about life insurance, read Disputes about life insurance (INFO 218).

ASIC receives reports about:

• offers to access your superannuation early
• the conduct and disclosure obligations of superannuation trustees (but not SMSF trustees)
• delivery of deposit products
• delivery of non-cash payments
• delivery of life or general insurance.

If you receive an offer to access your superannuation early, you may also want to contact the Australian Taxation Office, which can help you identify illegal schemes.

Supply of goods and services

ASIC does not get involved in disputes about goods and services. For details of who to contact see Disputes about goods and non-financial services (INFO 161).

Watch our YouTube video on Disputes about goods and non-financial services.

Or read the transcript.

If you are considering providing goods and services on credit see Protecting yourself when you supply goods and services on credit (INFO 194).

However, if your dispute is about investments or borrowing, the information in the categories below provides guidance on what you can do.