Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 21 October 1999

Business Names - Temporary Shut-Down

The Ministry of Fair Trading wants to advise people wishing to register new business names, that the database will be unavailable for several days, beginning on Thursday November 4th.

To improve Customer service, outdated computer equipment is being upgraded and a temporary shut-down is required to allow for the effective transfer of data between the old and new business names systems.

Commissioner for Fair Trading Patrick Walker said that "based on the recent experiences of similar upgrades in other states, it was expected that the transfer could require about six days to complete."

"The anticipated shut-down will be effective from 12 noon on Thursday 4 November until Thursday 11 November. " Mr Walker said.

Customers will still be able to lodge business name applications and renewals during this period, however these will not be processed onto the database until the upgrade is complete. This means that it will not be possible to approve applications for business names, nor produce any form of extracts or reports during the shut-down period.

Customers planning to start new businesses will need to include this time delay in their plans. The Ministry's Business Names Advice Service on 1300 30 40 14 will assist Customers who have any concerns or inquires for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Western Australia.

Media Contacts:
Mike Winchester
Tel: 9282 0961