The new National Business Names Registration System is expected to commence on 28 May 2012 and will replace the existing state based systems.
The new system will be administered by ASIC.
The new system will require a valid ABN or an application for an ABN to be on foot before an application for a national business name will be accepted.
Names currently registered on the State based system will be automatically migrated to the new national system.
If a business name is identical to a business name registered in another State but owned differently, both registrations will be migrated, and ASIC will provide additional information on the public register to differentiate the affected business names.
If however one registration has been allowed to lapse, while it is possible to re-register the lapsed registration prior to 28 May, after 28 May it may not be possible to re-register.
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