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Business names

Responsibilities

General Responsibilities
Change of Details
Renewing a Business Name

General Responsibilities

The Tasmanian Business Names Act 1962 requires the owner of a business to:

• commence trade using the registered business name within two months of registration;
• display a sign showing the correct registered business name in a position where it can be clearly seen outside the principal place of business;
• show the business name on all stationery and in any advertising connected with your business;
• renew the business registration every 3 years if you continue to trade under the business name; 
• display the Business Name Certificate prominently at the principal place of business; and
• advise the Business Affairs Branch of any changes to details on the business name record.

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Change of Details

All changes to business name particulars must be notified to Business Affairs on a Change in Particulars Form within one month of the change.

You must notify Business Affairs if you:

• change your address;
• the business address;
• the postal address;
• the ownership of a business changes,
  • to record the deletion of an owner, or
  • addition of an owner
• if you stop trading under your registered business name.

Changes in Particulars/Cancellation of a Business Name
Change in Particulars (address) of a Business
Change of Proprietors in a Business Name
Cancellation of a Business Name

You will need a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader to view PDF documents.  Please contact us if you have difficulty viewing or printing the documents.

You cannot change your business name using this form.  Business owners wishing to commence trade under a new name need to lodge a fresh Application for Registration of a Business Name.

A new certificate is not issued following the lodgement of a Change in Particulars Form unless specifically requested and a separate fee paid.  If you wish to obtain a new certificate of registration, you must complete and lodge the Certificate Application Form.

Business name certificates display the name of proprietors, date of registration, date of expiry and business registration number.   For verification of any other details on the record please lodge an Application for an Extract Search-Business Name.

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Renewing a Business Name

You must renew your business name every three years. If not renewed within two months of the expiry date the name will expire and become available for registration by others.

A renewal form will be sent to the principal place of business (if you do not have a postal address) approximately one month before the expiry date. One month after the expiry date a reminder notice will be forwarded.  The renewal form is to be forwarded to Business Affairs with the appropriate fee.

In order to ensure you receive a renewal notice, it is essential that the Department be advised of any changes to particulars relating to the registration as they occur. (Refer to the information in Change of Details.) 

A new certificate is not issued after the renewal notice is lodged. The original certificate is applicable for the life of the registration. If you do wish to obtain a new certificate of registration go to Certificate Application Form.

It is your responsibility to ensure your Business Name remains current.

Business Affairs will forward a reminder notice every three (3) years.  BUT it is your responsibility to keep the registration current.  If you do not receive a Renewal Notice by the due expiry date please contact Business Affairs immediately.  Should the business name not be renewed within two months of the expiry date, the name will be cancelled.