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Joka(I'm new)I'm new
19 Jan 2026

Hi!


I am registered as a sole trader with ABN.

I am just starting a side hustle and I don’t make much income yet, so I would rather wait a bit before i pay the registration fee for my business name to ASIC.


I have researched the options.

I understand that my invoices will have to show my legal name and ABN, but can I also show my business name on the invoice?


Would a line stating “[legal name] trading as [unregistered business name]” followed by my sole trader ABN number be legally acceptable for the ATO?


Thanks in advance for your advice!


J.

828 views
3 replies
828 views
3 replies

All replies

Colin_Oscopy(Champion)Champion
19 Jan 2026

@Joka

  1. ATO does not check your invoices.
  2. You should not use an unregistered business name on your invoices.


Liked by Colin_Oscopy
Joka(I'm new)I'm new
19 Jan 2026

Thanks,


I am new to all this, I may be misunderstanding the functions of the tax invoices I issue…

i thought that

  1. I would later use those invoices to justify/declare my salary income as a sole trader contractor to the ATO
  2. My clients would occasionally use those invoices to claim tax deductions, if I ever did maintenance for their tools or office for example?

The ATO has a list of requirements on what to include on the tax invoice too, I assume it was so they could easily process it when necessary.

did i miss something then?

RachelATO(Community Moderator)Community Moderator
20 Jan 2026

Hi @Joka,


No, you can’t use an unregistered trading name on your invoices as a sole trader.


If you would like to use a different name, you’ll need to register that with ASIC. Invoices must always clearly display your legal name and ABN.


You can find more info about setting up your business invoices on our website.


If you decide later that you want to formally register your business name as your side hustle grows, you'll need to do that through ASIC. You can also register your business name on the Australian Business Register when you apply for or update your ABN details.

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As a sole trader, can I use a "trading name" without registering it with ASIC and how? | ATO Community