"Registering a company name" means one of two different things in Australia, and they cost different amounts. You might mean registering a company (a Pty Ltd, whose name is part of the registration), or registering a business name (a trading name held by a sole trader, partnership, trust or company). This guide sets out what each costs and includes a calculator so you can total your own setup.
Fees in this article are stated as at July 2026. ASIC indexes its fees each July, so confirm current amounts at asic.gov.au.
Company name vs business name: which are you paying for?
Registering a company (Pty Ltd) |
Registering a business name |
|
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A separate legal entity with an ACN; the name is reserved as the company name | The right to trade under a name, linked to your ABN |
| ASIC fee | $636 once, then $342 a year | $47 for 1 year or $108 for 3 years |
| Liability protection | Yes, within legal limits | No - the name adds no protection |
| Address needed | Registered office (physical, not a PO box) | Principal place of business and address for service |
| Brand ownership | No | No |
If you only want to trade under a name as a sole trader, a business name is the cheaper option. If you want a company, the company name comes with the company registration - you do not pay separately to register the name.
What it costs to register a company with your chosen name
Registering a Pty Ltd costs the ASIC registration fee, paid once when you lodge Form 201. From 1 July 2026 that fee is $636. You can reserve a name beforehand if you are not ready to register ($65 as at 2026-27), but most founders simply check availability and register the company straight away.
You can also register a company without choosing a name. ASIC will use the ACN as the name (for example, "123 456 789 Pty Ltd"). That costs the same.
For the full itemised list - including registered office, ABN, TFN, and the annual review - see Cost to Register a Pty Ltd in Australia.
What it costs to register a business name
A business name costs $47 for one year or $108 for three years when you register directly with ASIC. You need an ABN (or an ABN application in progress) first, and the ABN is free.
Private registration services charge the same ASIC fee plus their own service fee. See Cheapest Way to Register a Business Name in Australia (spacepenguin.io/resources/blogs/cheapest-way-register-business-name - coming soon) for a straight comparison.
Do you need both?
A company needs a business name only if it trades under a name that differs from its registered company name. "Blue Tern Pty Ltd" trading as "Blue Tern" does not need one. "Blue Tern Pty Ltd" trading as "Harbour Coffee Roasters" does. The routing question is covered in Business Name vs Company Registration (spacepenguin.io/resources/blogs/business-name-vs-company-registration - coming soon).
Company name cost calculator
Add up the lines that apply to you to see your first-year government fees and address cost. All figures are as at July 2026.
Item |
Pty Ltd with its own name |
Business name only (sole trader) |
Pty Ltd + business name |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIC company registration | $636 | - | $636 |
| Business name, 1 year | - | $47 | $47 |
| ABN | Free | Free | Free |
| Commercial address, 12 months at $20/month | $240 | $240 | $240 |
| First-year total (with commercial address) | $876 | $287 | $923 |
| First-year total (using own address) | $636 | $47 | $683 |
| Ongoing per year | $342 annual review | $47 renewal (or $108 for 3 years) | $342 + business name renewal |
Swap in the three-year business name fee ($108) if you want to lock the name in for longer.
Choosing a name that will register
Before paying anything, check that the name is available. ASIC will not register a company name or business name that is identical to one already on the register, and it will refuse some names outright - such as those implying a government connection or using restricted words like "bank" without approval.
Search the ASIC registers first, then check domain names and social handles so your brand is consistent across channels.
What the name registration does not include
Neither a company name nor a business name gives you ownership of the brand. Another business can still hold a trademark that stops you using it. If the name matters to your business, check the trademark register at IP Australia before you commit, and consider filing a trademark application.
Neither registration includes an address. A company must have a registered office, and a business name holder must give ASIC a principal place of business and address for service. If you do not want to use your home, you will need a commercial address. The ASIC address rules are explained in ASIC vs ATO Address Requirements: Where Founders Get It Wrong.
Frequently asked questions
How much is it to register a company name in Australia?
Registering a Pty Ltd - which includes its name - costs the ASIC registration fee of $636 from 1 July 2026. Registering a business name costs $47 for one year or $108 for three years.
Can I register a company name without starting a company?
You can reserve a company name with ASIC for $65 (from 1 July 2026), or register a business name. A reservation holds a name for a limited period; it is not a company.
Is the business name fee cheaper over three years?
Yes. Three one-year renewals at $47 each total $141. The three-year fee is $108 - a saving of $33 as at July 2026.
Does registering a company name stop others using it?
It stops another company registering an identical name on the ASIC register, but it does not give brand ownership. Trademark protection comes from IP Australia.
Do I need an ABN to register a business name?
Yes. You need an ABN, or a pending ABN application, before ASIC will register a business name.
Related reading
- ABN vs ACN vs Business Name
- Cost to Register a Pty Ltd in Australia
- Business Name Registration Australia: Cost and What You Get
- ASIC vs ATO Address Requirements: Where Founders Get It Wrong
About the author
Alisha Aneja is a co-founder of Space Penguin and leads technology and product. She writes about company setup, registration and compliance for Australian founders.