A shop sign that reads, "we're open"

When y'all program to start a business, one of the first things y'all will come beyond is either having a trading name or a business name. There is a lot of speculation and defoliation effectually those two, but it's easier to understand than information technology might seem. Here's a short description and so you can get started with choosing a name for your organization.

What is a business organization name?

This is an official proper name that you use to run your business concern. Unless you're a sole trader operating under your personal name, every business needs to register a proper noun with the Australian Business Annals.

A business name is essential because it identifies you as a seller of goods or services, and it gives you a legal correct to deport your concern in the country.

We've written most how to come upwardly with a creative business organization proper name, and how to register for i when y'all're starting a business in Australia.

What is a trading proper name?

A trading name, on the other hand, is an alias. They were common in Commonwealth of australia before 2012 and represented a fictitious championship under which a business organization could operate. So in addition to a bona fide business organization proper noun, sellers could also have a number of trading names that they didn't take to register with a government dominance.

The concept of a trading name has been around for a long time, and laws in other countries also recognise trading names. In the U.s.a., for example, trading names are more than commonly known as 'DBA names' or 'Doing Business Every bit names.' Unless y'all're a sole trader operating under your own name, you have to register all DBAs with government bodies, depending on the state you do business in.

Trading names in Australia

If you started your business organisation before 2012, y'all were able to use a trading proper name on your websites, billboards, social media profiles, or anywhere else you wanted.

For example, Marking Hannegan, who owned a cafe named "Cuban Caffeine," could accept brochures and business cards that read "Café Cubbano" or "Cubbano Cappuchino."

In May of 2012, however, the Australian Business Register made it mandatory to annals all business organisation names. This included trading names. Equally a issue, you can no longer legally use aliases to represent your business. Instead, you can register multiple business names—and pay for each—under one ABN.

For businesses that had been using trading names since before 2012, the ABR has set a transition period. It currently lists all known trading names, simply that list is no longer being updated. The ABR will remove the list of trading names entirely on 31 Oct, 2023.

Nosotros hope this helps yous sympathise why the term 'trading name' sometimes pops up interchangeably with 'concern proper name.' If you have any other business questions you'd similar us to reply, let us know in the comments and we'll embrace them as soon as we tin!

Further reading: Business structures in Australia