What is an Australian Business Number?

If you’re looking to start a business within Australia, you will quickly come across the concept of an ABN or Australian Business Number.

Every company within Australia must have an ABN. Generally, getting your ABN is one of the first steps to getting your business off the ground.

But what exactly is an ABN? What purpose does it serve? And why do you need one?

What is an Australian Business Number (ABN)?

An ABN, or Australian Business Number, is a unique 11 digit code that helps the government and community identify your business. Companies and their employees can use this code to interact with various government agencies and departments for assistance, support, and necessary services.

You can conduct any number of businesses using the same ABN so long as they all operate under the same business structure. If your second business is organised under a new structure for whatever reason, you will need an additional ABN.

Your ABN registration details become a part of the Australian Business Register (ABO) maintained by ATO on behalf of the Commonwealth. This information can be accessed publically using the ABN Lookup website.

What is the Purpose of an Australian Business Number?

Unlike your Tax File Number, your ABN is entirely public. It can be searched through the ABN Lookup website and used on forms and business documents where your Tax File Number would be inappropriate or dangerous.

Some of the places you may need your ABN are:

• Invoices and quotes
• Renewal notices
• Order forms and Receipts
• Lease documents and contracts

Do I Need an Australian Business Number?

Generally, yes. However, there are some exceptions. For example, businesses with a GST turnover of less than $75,000 generally don’t need an ABN number.

With that said, this can cause several complications. Without an ABN, you can’t claim back goods and services (GST) tax credits, and other businesses that deal with you may be required to withhold tax from payments they make to you.

Additionally, you need to have an ABN to register a Business Name. This means that if another business registers the name you’ve been using, you cannot stop them.

How do I Register for an Australian Business Number?

For an additional fee, along with registering your new business name, we can organise your new ABN. All you need to do is follow the prompts here.

So long as you’ve provided all the required information, you should receive a notification with your new ABN number within 2-4 hours from completing the application.

Disclaimer: All information provided on this webpage is general information about our business in Australia, and products and services. Nothing on this webpage is intended to be professional advice and should not be relied on as such. You should obtain specific financial, legal, or other professional advice before relying on the content of this webpage. By not seeking such advice, you accept the risk that the information on this webpage may not meet the specific needs of your business. Our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law in accordance with our website terms and conditions.