- Business name renewal is mandatory and time-sensitive
You must renew your business name every 1 or 3 years with ASIC. Missing the deadline can trigger cancellation and disrupt your ability to trade. - The process is simple, but mistakes can be costly
Renewal itself takes minutes, but errors, missed notices, or incomplete payments can lead to delays, re-registration, or losing your name. - Staying compliant requires ongoing tracking, not a one-off task
Renewal isn’t just about doing it once. Keeping your details updated and monitoring deadlines is key to avoiding compliance issues long-term.
Business name renewal isn’t something you can afford to overlook. If your registration expires, ASIC can cancel your business name and it may no longer be available to you, meaning you could lose it entirely.
While the renewal process itself is straightforward, missing deadlines or getting the details wrong can lead to unnecessary stress, cancellation of your business name, or re-registration costs. This is where many businesses choose to work with an ASIC registered agent to ensure everything is handled correctly and on time.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly:
- How business name renewal works
- What it costs
- Key deadlines to watch
- Whether it makes sense to manage it yourself or have it handled professionally.
If you manage multiple business names, centralise them under one ASIC Connect account or agent. This makes it much easier to track renewals, payments, and notices in one place.
What is business name renewal in Australia?
Business name renewal is the process of extending your business name registration with ASIC so you can continue legally trading under that name.
- When you register a business name in Australia, it’s not permanent, it must be renewed every 1 year or 3 years, depending on the registration period you selected.
- If you don’t renew it before the expiry date, ASIC may begin the cancellation process. You’ll receive a notice of intent to cancel and have up to 2 months to renew and stop the cancellation.
- If the business name is ultimately cancelled, it cannot be registered by anyone else for at least 6 months.
It’s important to note that a business name is not the same as a company. Your business name is linked to your Australian Business Number (ABN) and must be kept active separately, even if your company is still registered.
For most businesses, business name renewal is a simple process, but it needs to be done on time and correctly to avoid disruption or losing the name altogether.
When does a business name need to be renewed in Australia?
You need to complete your business name renewal before your current registration expires. ASIC requires all business names to be renewed either every 1 year or 3 years, depending on the option you selected when registering or last renewing.
ASIC will typically send a renewal notice around 30 days before the expiry date to your registered email or inbox in ASIC Connect. This notice includes your renewal details and payment instructions.
However, it’s important not to rely solely on this reminder. If you miss the notice or your contact details are outdated, your business name can still expire without warning.
To stay compliant, you should:
- Check your business name expiry date in ASIC Connect
- Keep your contact details up to date
- Plan your renewal before the due date
If your business name expires and isn’t renewed in time, ASIC may cancel it and it could become available for someone else to register.
What happens if you don’t renew your business name in Australia?
If you don’t complete your business name renewal before the expiry date, ASIC may begin the cancellation process by issuing a notice of intent to cancel. You’ll have a limited period (typically 2 months) to renew and prevent cancellation.
Once cancelled:
- You can no longer legally trade under that name
- If your business name is cancelled, it is reserved and cannot be registered by anyone else for at least 6 months. After that period, it may become available again
- You may need to reapply and pay again to use the name (if it’s still available)
In some cases, this can disrupt your operations, especially if your business name is already tied to your branding, website, invoices, or contracts.
Even if you plan to continue trading, failing to renew on time can create unnecessary delays and administrative work. That’s why it’s important to treat business name renewal as a time-sensitive compliance task, not something to leave until the last minute.
How much does it cost to renew a business name with ASIC? (2026 fees)
The business name renewal cost is set by ASIC and depends on how long you choose to renew your registration.
Renewal period | ASIC business name renewal fee |
1 year | $45 |
3 years | $104 |
These fees apply across Australia and are reviewed periodically by ASIC. The amount is the same whether you’re registering a new business name or completing a business name renewal with ASIC.
A few important things to note:
- ASIC fees are fixed and not subject to GST
- The fee is charged per business name, not per business or ABN
- You can choose to pay immediately or request an invoice (BPAY or Australia Post). Your renewal is only finalised once payment is received.
While the cost itself is relatively low, missing your renewal can lead to losing your business name, which may end up costing significantly more to fix or re-establish.
Many businesses don’t realise that renewal is a separate obligation from company registration, your company can remain active while your business name is cancelled.
How do you renew your business name with ASIC?
To complete your business name renewal, ASIC provides two methods depending on whether you only want to renew or also need to review and update your business details.
What do you need before renewing your business name?
You will need your business name renewal notice, which ASIC sends at least 30 days before your registration is due for renewal. This is usually sent by email.
The notice contains:
- Your ASIC account number
- Your business name details
- Instructions for renewal
What if you didn’t receive your ASIC renewal notice?
ASIC sends renewal notices by email. If you have not received yours:
- Check your spam or junk folder
- Confirm whether another party (such as an accountant or agent) is registered against the business name
- If no email is recorded, ASIC may send a paper notice to your service address
If you still cannot locate your notice, you can request a new one from ASIC by providing:
- Your name
- Business name
- ASIC account number (if available)
- Contact email
- Phone number
ASIC typically reissues the notice within 5 business days.
7 steps to renew your business name using ASIC Connect
If you need to renew your business name and also review or update your details, you can do this through ASIC Connect.
Step 1: Log in to your account
Go to ASIC Connect and sign in using your username and password to access your account.
Step 2: Start the transaction
- Select the ‘Lodgements and notifications’ tab, then choose the business name you want to renew.
- Click ‘Renew business name’, and select ‘Go’ to begin the renewal process.
Step 3: Renew
Choose whether you want to renew your business name for 1 year or 3 years, then select ‘Next’ to continue.
Step 4: Check details
- Review the information displayed to ensure everything is correct. If any details need updating, select ‘Back’ to make changes.
- Once confirmed, select ‘Submit’ to proceed.
Step 5: Declare
- Read the declaration carefully and confirm that you agree with it. You’ll also need to confirm that you are authorised to act on behalf of the business.
- If everything is correct, tick the required boxes and select ‘Next’.
Step 6: Pay
Choose how you would like to pay:
- Pay immediately using a credit card (MasterCard or Visa), or
- Request an invoice to pay via BPAY or Australia Post
Step 7: Confirm
Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation message that your renewal has been lodged. The Business Names Register will be updated to reflect your next renewal date once the process is complete.
Next steps
A record of registration will be emailed to you after payment has been processed.
Should you renew your business name yourself or use an ASIC agent?
Renewing your business name with ASIC is a straightforward process, especially if your details are up to date and you’re comfortable navigating ASIC Connect.
However, the decision usually comes down to how confident you are in managing compliance consistently, not just completing a one-off renewal.
Renew it yourself if:
- Your business structure is simple
- Your ABN and business details are already correct
- You’re confident tracking renewal deadlines and notices
- You only manage one or two business names
For many small businesses, this approach works well, as long as nothing is missed.
What are the common mistakes when renewing a business name?
Even though business name renewal is straightforward, most issues come from missed details or poor timing. Here are the key mistakes to avoid:
- Missing the renewal notice
ASIC sends notices about 30 days before expiry, but these are often missed or land in spam. Always track your renewal date independently. - Letting your business name expire
If you don’t renew on time, ASIC may cancel your business name, and it can become available for someone else to register. - Using incorrect or outdated details
Renewing with incorrect ABN links, contact details, or business information can create issues across your registrations. - Not checking ABN status
Your business name is linked to your ABN. Your business name must be correctly linked to your ABN on the Australian Business Register (ABR). If the details don’t match, you may not be able to complete your renewal. - Leaving payment incomplete
Submitting your renewal without completing payment means it isn’t finalised. The renewal only takes effect once payment is processed. - Treating renewal as a one-off task
Business name renewal is ongoing, missing it even once can disrupt your operations.
ASIC sends renewal notices to the registered contact details on file, if these are outdated, you may not receive any reminder before expiry.
Need support renewing your business name? How Sleek can help
Renewing your business name might seem simple, but missing deadlines, overlooking details, or managing multiple renewals can quickly become difficult to stay on top of.
Sleek helps you handle your business name renewal and ongoing ASIC compliance without the back and forth.
- End-to-end business name renewal support
From tracking expiry dates to completing your renewal and payment, everything is handled for you - Handled by ASIC registered agents
Ensure your renewal is completed correctly, on time, and aligned with ASIC requirements - Never miss a renewal deadline
Ongoing monitoring and reminders so your business name stays active without risk of cancellation - Updates and compliance handled together
Any required changes to your business details can be reviewed and updated alongside your renewal - Transparent, fixed pricing
Clear pricing with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what to expect - All-in-one business support
Accounting, bookkeeping, tax, and ASIC compliance managed in one place as your business grows
For many businesses, the challenge isn’t renewing once, it’s staying compliant consistently. Having it handled ensures your business name remains active, accurate, and up to date.
Speak to a Sleek expert and get your business name renewal handled properly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my business name before it expires?
Yes, you can renew your business name before the expiry date once ASIC sends your renewal notice (usually 30 days prior). Renewing early helps avoid the risk of missing the deadline.
How long does business name renewal take?
The renewal itself takes only a few minutes to complete online. However, it is only finalised once payment is processed, after which ASIC updates your next renewal date.
Can someone else renew my business name for me?
Yes, a registered professional (such as an ASIC registered agent) can manage your business name renewal, including tracking deadlines and handling the process on your behalf.
