Company Name Reservation

“What is a company name reservation?”

Company name reservation is the process of choosing and securing your business name through CIPC before registering your company.

It gives you the exclusive right to use that name for a limited period, so no one else can register it while you prepare to launch your business...

“Do I have to reserve my company name?”

No, you don’t HAVE to reserve a name.

You have two options when registering a company...

  1. Register with a reserved name (e.g. Sunshine Events Pty Ltd)
  2. Register using your company registration number as the official name (e.g. 2023/123456/07)

You can always add a name to your company later if you start with just the registration number.

“Why should I reserve a company name?”

While not mandatory, name reservation has some big benefits, like…

  • It makes your business look more professional and trustworthy
  • It's easier for customers to remember and refer your company
  • It helps protect your brand identity
  • You can start building a brand around your chosen name from day one

“How does the company name reservation process work?”

  1. You submit up to 4 name choices to the CIPC (in order of preference)
  2. The CIPC checks if the names are available and not too similar to existing ones
  3. If approved, your chosen name is reserved for 6 months
  4. During that time, you must complete your company registration using that name

If you don’t register your company in that time, the name will expire and someone else might take it.

“What happens if my company name gets rejected?”

If your name is:

  • Already taken
  • Too similar to another company
  • Misleading or offensive
  • Includes restricted words (like “Bank” or “University”)

… the CIPC may reject it. That’s why it’s best to submit multiple options.

Here’s a nifty online company name search tool we made to help you check if your chosen company name is available.


Back to Terms