Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

BUSINESS NAMES REGISTRATION ACT 2011 - NOTES

No. 126, 2011

Compilation No. 8

Compilation date: 14 October 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 38, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Business Names Registration Act 2011 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1--Preliminary

Division 1--Introduction

1 Short title

2 Commencement

Division 2--Definitions

3 Dictionary

4 Business

5 Entities

6 Notified State/Territory registers

6A Meaning of Registrar

Division 3--Constitutional basis and application of this Act and the Transitional Act

7 Constitutional basis for this Act and the Transitional Act

8 Meaning of referring/adopting State

9 Meaning of referred business names matter

10 General application of this Act and the Transitional Act

11 Government bodies not liable to prosecution

Division 4--Interaction between business names legislation and State and Territory laws

12 Concurrent operation intended

13 When business names legislation does not apply

14 Avoiding direct inconsistency between Commonwealth and State and Territory laws

15 Regulations to deal with interaction between laws

Division 5--Objects of this Act and consequences of registration

16 Objects of this Act

17 Consequences of registration of a business name

Part 2--Offences relating to business names

18 Offence--carrying on a business under an unregistered business name

19 Offence--must include business name in written communications

20 Offence--must display business name at places open to public

21 Offence--carrying on a business under a business name while disqualified

Part 3--Registering a business name

22 The Business Names Register

23 Application to register a business name

24 Decision to register a business name to an entity

25 Is a business name available to an entity?

26 Identical or nearly identical names

27 Undesirable names

28 Restricted words and expressions

29 Priority

30 Refusal for failure to pay registration fee on time

31 Consent applications

32 Disqualified entities

33 Steps taken by ASIC to register a business name to an entity

34 Refusal to register

Part 4--Obligations to give information to ASIC

35 Notifying changes--entity that gives information to ASIC

36 Obligation to notify ASIC if entity becomes disqualified

37 Obligation to give ASIC information if requested

38 Notifying ASIC of bankruptcy, insolvency etc.

39 Notifying ASIC of appointment of a legal personal representative

40 Notification by successor in relation to a deceased estate

41 Federal Court may order information be given to ASIC

Part 5--Cancelling the registration of a business name

42 Cancellation--request by entity to whom business name is registered

43 Cancellation--ASIC becomes aware of matter that would have affected registration decision

44 Cancellation--entity is disqualified

45 Cancellation--Ministerial determination revoked

46 Cancellation--failure to satisfy a condition of registration

47 Cancellation--entity not carrying on a business under the business name

48 Cancellation--failure to provide information

49 Cancellation--registration has expired

50 Cancellation--entity to whom business name registered ceases to exist

51 Cancellation--business name used in infringement of trade mark

52 Notification of cancellation of business name

53 Notice requirements in relation to partnerships, unincorporated associations, trusts and joint ventures

54 Business name held during review period for cancellation decision

Part 6--Renewing the registration of a business name

55 Application to renew registration

Part 7--Review

56 Reviewable decisions

57 Internal review of certain decisions

58 Administrative review of certain decisions

59 Payment of registration fee if business name to be registered as result of review

Part 8--Accessing the Business Names Register

60 Access to certain information in the Business Names Register by request

61 Certain information to be publicly available

62 Certain information to be made available to government bodies

Part 9--Administration

Division 1--Matters relating to handling records and information

Subdivision A--The Registrar

62A Appointment of the Registrar

62B Functions

62C Powers

62D Directions by Minister

62E Delegation

62F Assisted decision making

62G Liability for damages

Subdivision B--How the Registrar is to perform and exercise functions and powers

62H Data standards

62J Giving information to the Registrar

62K How the Registrar is to perform and exercise functions and powers

Subdivision C--Disclosure of information

62L Disclosure framework

62M Protection of confidentiality of protected information

62N Authorisation of recording or disclosure

62P Preventing disclosure of particular protected information

62Q Authorisation for purposes of Privacy Act

62R Disclosure to a court

Subdivision D--Miscellaneous

62S Extracts of information to be admissible in evidence

62T Annual report

62U Rules

Division 2--Miscellaneous

63 ASIC's functions and powers

64 Directions by Minister

65 Arrangements with States and Territories

66 ASIC may arrange for use of computer programs to make decisions

67 Forms for documents to be lodged with ASIC

68 Manner in which documents to be lodged with ASIC

69 ASIC may refuse to receive document etc.

70 Fees are payable to ASIC on behalf of the Commonwealth

71 When is an application fee fully paid?

72 Waiver and refund of fees

73 Address for receipt of notices

74 ASIC may destroy or dispose of certain documents

75 ASIC may issue formal warning

76 Interaction with Australian Business Register

77 Protection of confidentiality of information

78 Liability for damages

79 Delegation

80 Minister may delegate prescribed functions and powers under this Act

Part 10--General

81 Application of this Act to partnerships

82 Principal contact of a partnership

83 Application of this Act to unincorporated associations and bodies

84 Principal contact of an unincorporated association or body

85 Application of this Act to a trust with 2 or more trustees

86 Principal contact of a trust

87 Joint ventures

89 Entities that have ceased to exist

90 Regulations

Schedule 1--Notified State/Territory registers

1 New South Wales

2 Victoria

3 Queensland

4 Western Australia

5 South Australia

6 Tasmania

7 Australian Capital Territory

8 Northern Territory

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev ... ) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Business Names Registration Act 2011	126, 2011	3 Nov 2011	s 3-17, 22, 37, 63-90 and Sch 1: 20 Apr 2012 (s 2(1) items 2, 4, 6, 8, 9) s 18-21, 23-36 and 38-62: 28 May 2012 (s 2(1) items 3, 5, 7) Remainder: 3 Nov 2011 (s 2(1) item 1)
Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016	33, 2016	23 Mar 2016	Sch 5 (items 23, 24): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 7)	--
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing ASIC's Capabilities) Act 2018	122, 2018	3 Oct 2018	Sch 2 (items 14, 15): 1 July 2019 (s 2(1) item 3)	--
Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 3) Act 2020	64, 2020	22 June 2020	Sch 3 (items 160-162, 325, 326): 1 Oct 2020 (s 2(1) item 6)	Sch 3 (items 325, 326)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2020	69, 2020	22 June 2020	Sch 1 (items 1-5): 4 Apr 2021 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 1 (items 104-339, 1465-1467): awaiting commencement (s 2(1) items 2, 5)	Sch 1 (items 1465-1467) and Sch 1 (item  1468)
as amended by
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Act 2022	35, 2022	9 Aug 2022	Sch 4 (items 6, 7, 9): 21 June 2022 (s 2(1) item 5) Sch 4 (item 15): 10 Aug 2022 (s 2(1) item 6)	Sch 4 (item 9)
Treasury Laws Amendment (2020 Measures No. 6) Act 2020	141, 2020	17 Dec 2020	Sch 4 (items 5-11): 18 Dec 2020 (s 2(1) item 6)	--
National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 3) Act 2024	24, 2024	21 May 2024	Sch 2 (item 42): 22 May 2024 (s 2(1) item 7)	--
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024	38, 2024	31 May 2024	Sch 1 (item 54): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)	--

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
Division 2
s 3.....................	am No 33, 2016; No 69, 2020 (Sch 1 items 104-113)
s 6.....................	am No 69, 2020
s 6A....................	ad No 69, 2020
Division 5
s 16....................	am No 69, 2020
Part 2
s 18....................	am No 69, 2020
s 19....................	am No 69, 2020
Part 3
s 22....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 23....................	am No 69, 2020
s 24....................	am No 69, 2020
s 25....................	am No 69, 2020
s 28....................	am No 69, 2020
s 29....................	am No 69, 2020
s 30....................	am No 69, 2020
s 31....................	am No 69, 2020
s 32....................	am No 69, 2020
s 33....................	am No 69, 2020
s 34....................	am No 69, 2020
s 34A...................	ad No 69, 2020
Part 4
Part 4 heading.............	am No 69, 2020
s 35....................	am No 69, 2020
s 36....................	am No 69, 2020
s 37....................	am No 69, 2020
s 38....................	am No 69, 2020
s 39....................	am No 69, 2020
s 40....................	am No 69, 2020
s 41....................	am No 69, 2020
Part 5
s 42....................	am No 69, 2020
s 43....................	am No 69, 2020
s 44....................	am No 69, 2020
s 45....................	am No 69, 2020
s 46....................	am No 69, 2020
s 47....................	am No 69, 2020
s 48....................	am No 69, 2020
s 49....................	am No 69, 2020
s 50....................	am No 69, 2020
s 51....................	am No 69, 2020
s 52....................	rs No 69, 2020
s 53....................	am No 69, 2020
s 54....................	am No 69, 2020
Part 6
s 55....................	am No 69, 2020
Part 7
s 56....................	am No 69, 2020 (Sch 1 items 257-262)
s 57....................	am No 69, 2020
s 58....................	am No 69, 2020; No 38, 2024
Part 8...................	rep No 69, 2020
s 60....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 61....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 62....................	rep No 69, 2020
Part 9
Division 1
Division 1................	ad No 69, 2020
Subdivision A
s 62A...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62B...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62C...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62D...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62E...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62F...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62G...................	ad No 69, 2020
Subdivision B
s 62H...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62J....................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62K...................	ad No 69, 2020
Subdivision C
s 62L...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62M...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62N...................	ad No 69, 2020
	am No 24, 2024
s 62P...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62Q...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62R...................	ad No 69, 2020
Subdivision D
s 62S...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62T...................	ad No 69, 2020
s 62U...................	ad No 69, 2020
Division 2
Division 2 heading..........	ad No 69, 2020
s 63....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 64....................	am No 64, 2020
	rep No 69, 2020
s 65....................	am No 69, 2020
s 66....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 67....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 68....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 69....................	am No 69, 2020
s 70....................	am No 69, 2020
s 71....................	am No 69, 2020
s 72....................	am No 69, 2020
s 73....................	am No 69, 2020
s 74....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 75....................	am No 69, 2020
s 76....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 77....................	rep No 69, 2020
s 78....................	am No 69, 2020
s 79....................	am No 122, 2018
	rep No 69, 2020
s 80....................	am No 122, 2018; No 69, 2020
Part 10
s 82....................	am No 69, 2020
s 84....................	am No 69, 2020
s 86....................	am No 69, 2020
s 87....................	am No 69, 2020
s 88....................	rep No 141, 2020
	am No 69, 2020 (amdts never applied (Sch 1 items 338, 339))
Schedule 1
s 1.....................	am No 141, 2020
s 2.....................	am No 141, 2020
s 5.....................	am No 141, 2020
s 6.....................	am No 141, 2020
s 7.....................	am No 141, 2020
s 8.....................	ed C2
	am No 141, 2020