Choosing a business name is one of the most exciting parts of starting up. It’s the label customers will remember, the name on your invoices, and the identity you’ll build trust around.
But once you’ve settled on the “perfect” name, the practical question usually comes next: how much does it cost to register a business name in Australia - and what other costs should you plan for at the same time?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the registration fees, what affects the total price, and the common “hidden” costs that pop up for startups and SMEs (especially if you’re setting up properly from day one). This article is general information only and isn’t legal or financial advice - if you need advice for your specific circumstances, it’s a good idea to speak to a lawyer and (for tax/ABN/GST questions) your accountant or tax adviser.
What Does “Registering a Business Name” Actually Mean?
In Australia, registering a business name is a process handled through ASIC (the Australian Securities and Investments Commission). A business name registration is what allows you to trade under a name that isn’t your own personal name (for sole traders) or your company’s legal name (for companies).
It’s important to know what business name registration does and doesn’t do.
What It Does
- Lets you trade under that name (for example, “Blue Gum Studio” rather than “Jordan Lee”).
- Creates a public record showing who is behind the name.
- Helps customers verify you (especially online, where trust matters).
What It Doesn’t Do
- It doesn’t give you ownership of the name as intellectual property. If protecting the brand matters (and for most growing businesses, it does), you’ll usually want to consider a trade mark as well.
- It doesn’t automatically stop someone else from using a similar name in marketing, on social media, or on products.
That’s why it’s helpful to think of business name registration as an essential compliance step - but not the full “brand protection” strategy.
Cost To Register a Business Name: ASIC Fees (And Renewal Costs)
Let’s get to the number most business owners are searching for: the cost to register a business name in Australia.
ASIC charges a fee, and you choose between a 1-year or 3-year registration period.
ASIC Registration Fees
ASIC’s fees can change over time (they’re typically indexed/updated), but as at 1 July 2025 the business name registration fees are:
- 1 year: $44
- 3 years: $102
As a practical rule of thumb, most startups choose 1 year when they’re testing an idea, and 3 years when they’re confident they’ll be trading under that name for the foreseeable future.
If you want a streamlined option for handling it with legal support, you might also consider Business Name Registration (1 Year) or Business Name Registration (3 Years), depending on your plans.
Renewal Costs
A business name registration isn’t a one-off forever. You’ll need to renew it at the end of the period you chose (1 year or 3 years). The renewal fee is set by ASIC and is usually in line with the current registration fee at the time you renew - but ASIC can increase or update fees over time.
Tip: Put a calendar reminder well ahead of time. If your business name lapses, someone else may be able to register it.
Is There Any Difference Between “Registering a Business Name Cost” and “Renewal Cost”?
In practice, the ASIC fee you pay to register is the same type of fee you’ll pay to renew - the key difference is timing (and the fact ASIC may adjust fees between registration and renewal).
Where the total cost changes is what’s happening around that registration (like whether you’re also registering a company, setting up contracts, or protecting your brand).
What Else Can Affect The Total Cost (Beyond ASIC’s Fee)?
For many startups, the ASIC fee is only part of the budget. The bigger cost question is often:
“What do I need to pay for so I can actually start trading safely under this name?”
Here are the most common extras that can affect your total cost.
1) Your Business Structure (Sole Trader vs Company vs Partnership)
You can register a business name whether you’re a sole trader, partnership, or company - but the overall setup costs can be very different.
- Sole trader: generally the cheapest and simplest to start, but your personal assets are not automatically protected if the business runs into legal or financial trouble.
- Company: higher setup and admin costs, and a company is a separate legal entity - which can help limit personal liability in many situations. However, this protection isn’t absolute (for example, directors can still be personally liable in some circumstances, and personal guarantees can create personal exposure).
- Partnership: can be cost-effective, but needs careful planning around decision-making, profit share, exits, and disputes.
If you’re setting up a company, you may also be looking at costs related to Company Set Up (separate from the business name fee itself).
2) ABN Registration (Usually Free, But Still A Step)
Many small business owners ask whether an ABN costs money. Typically, applying for an ABN is free if you do it directly via the Australian government’s ABR channels.
Even though it’s usually free, it’s still a key step because you often need an ABN to:
- issue invoices as a business
- set up business banking
- register for GST (if required)
- apply for payment accounts and supplier accounts
If you’re unsure whether you need GST registration, how PAYG withholding works, or what to claim as deductions, it’s worth speaking to an accountant or registered tax agent.
3) Domain Name And Social Media Handles
This isn’t a government fee, but it’s a very common “startup cost” that sits right next to business name registration.
Before you lock in your name, it’s worth checking that:
- your domain name is available (or something close to it)
- your Instagram/TikTok/Facebook handles are available
- there aren’t obvious competitors with confusingly similar names
Even if your business name is registered, you can still run into brand confusion issues if someone else already has strong online presence under a similar name.
4) Trade Mark Protection (If You’re Building A Brand)
This is one of the biggest “surprise” costs for business owners. Registering a business name is not the same as owning the brand legally.
If you’re putting real time and money into your brand (packaging, website, ads, signage, social media), it may be worth protecting it with a trade mark.
A trade mark can help protect things like your:
- business name (as a brand)
- logo
- tagline (in some cases)
Trade mark costs vary depending on what you’re registering and how many classes you need, but it’s often a smart “early spend” for businesses planning to grow.
Where it fits, many businesses choose to register your trade mark soon after (or even before) launching publicly.
5) Legal Documents That Support Your Business Name (And Your Revenue)
A business name is what customers see - but your contracts and policies are often what protect you when something goes wrong (like a payment dispute, a refund demand, or a customer complaint).
Depending on how you operate, the “real” cost of starting under a business name can include getting your legal foundations in place, such as:
- Customer-facing terms: for example Website Terms and Conditions if you’re selling online or taking enquiries through a website.
- Privacy compliance: if you collect customer data (emails, phone numbers, delivery addresses), a Privacy Policy is often essential.
- Co-founder arrangements: if you’re building with someone else, a Shareholders Agreement can help set clear expectations about ownership, decision-making, and what happens if someone wants to leave.
Not every business needs every document on day one. But having the right ones early can save you much more than they cost if a dispute pops up later.
Step-By-Step: How To Budget For Your Business Name Registration (Without Missing Anything)
Here’s a simple way to budget for business name registration like a business owner (not just as a checkbox exercise).
Step 1: Confirm Your Structure First
Start by confirming whether you’ll trade as:
- a sole trader
- a partnership
- a company
This affects your overall setup costs and your legal risk. If you plan to scale, hire staff, or bring on investors, it’s worth thinking about structure early rather than “fixing it later.”
Step 2: Check Name Availability (Beyond ASIC)
ASIC’s business name register is one check, but it’s not the only one that matters.
Before you commit, consider checking:
- domain names
- social handles
- trade marks (to avoid accidentally stepping on someone else’s rights)
This step is less about cost and more about avoiding expensive rebrands later.
Step 3: Choose 1 Year vs 3 Years Based On Your Stage
If you’re validating your product, running a pilot, or unsure if you’ll keep the name, a shorter registration can make sense.
If you’re already investing in signage, packaging, and marketing, 3 years is often the more cost-effective option (and means one less admin task next year).
Step 4: Budget For “Launch Essentials”
When people search “cost to register a business name”, they often really mean:
“How much will it cost to launch properly under this name?”
So consider budgeting for:
- a domain name
- a basic brand kit (logo, fonts, colour palette)
- website setup
- core contracts and policies (especially if you’re taking payments)
Step 5: Plan For Ongoing Compliance (Not Just Setup)
A registered business name can help you look established - but it also comes with ongoing responsibilities like renewals and keeping your details up to date.
If you’re operating as a company, you may also need to think about governance documents, like a Company Constitution, and director obligations.
Common Mistakes That Make Business Name Registration More Expensive Later
The ASIC registration fee is relatively modest compared to the cost of redoing things later. Here are the common missteps we see that can turn a “simple registration” into a much bigger (and more expensive) project.
Picking A Name Without Checking Trade Mark Risks
It’s possible to register a business name and still receive a legal complaint if your name infringes someone else’s trade mark rights.
Even if you ultimately have a defence, disputes can be expensive and distracting - especially when you’re trying to grow.
Registering The Name Before Locking In The Structure (Or Co-Founders)
Sometimes one founder registers the business name personally, then later the business becomes a company or adds co-founders.
This can create admin friction (and sometimes legal friction) around who “owns” the name and who controls it.
Assuming A Business Name Gives You Brand Ownership
This is one of the most common misunderstandings.
Business name registration is a permission to trade under that name. It isn’t the same as intellectual property protection, and it doesn’t automatically stop competitors from building a similar brand identity.
Skipping Contracts And Policies Until There’s A Problem
If you’re making sales, taking deposits, engaging contractors, or collecting personal information, you’re already creating legal risk.
Often, the cost of fixing a dispute after it happens is far higher than the cost of setting things up properly upfront.
Key Takeaways
- The cost to register a business name in Australia is set by ASIC and depends on whether you register for 1 year or 3 years.
- Business name registration lets you trade under that name, but it doesn’t automatically protect your brand like a trade mark does.
- Your total setup budget may also include company registration (if applicable), domain and branding costs, and key legal documents that help you trade safely.
- Choosing your business structure early can prevent admin headaches and extra costs later, especially if you’re starting with co-founders or planning to scale.
- Having the right contracts and policies in place early can reduce the risk of disputes, chargebacks, refund conflicts, and customer complaints as you grow.
If you’d like a consultation on registering your business name and setting your startup up the right way, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.
