Australian Business Number Registration
Administered by: Australian Taxation Office
When is this licence required?
You may require an Australian Business Number (ABN) if you are operating a business, organisation or enterprise in Australia. An ABN is a single identifier for all business dealings with the Australian Taxation Office and other government departments and agencies.
Applying for an ABN is not compulsory. However, once you have registered your entity for an ABN you will be able to:
- register for GST and a business name
- be endorsed as a deductible gift recipient or an income tax-exempt charity
- get an Australian domain name.
What are the eligibility requirements for this licence?
To apply for an ABN, you must:
- have a business structure in place
- be continuing or starting an enterprise in Australia.
Sole traders, companies, partnerships, trusts and superannuation funds are eligible to apply for an ABN.
When you lodge your application, you must provide proof of identity when you register. You can prove your identity by quoting your personal tax file number (in the case of sole traders) or your business or organisation's tax file number.
How much does this licence cost?
| Task | Type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | Application | - | No fees are required |
How often do you need to apply for this licence?
Ongoing
What resources provide more information?
| Task | Type | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Smart Form | ABN Application (Australian Business Register) |
What legislation specifies this licence?
A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (Australian Government)
A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Regulations 2020 (Australian Government)
Who can you talk to for more information?
Australian Business Register
Australian Taxation Office
| Operating address | PO BOX 3373 Penrith, New South Wales 2750 |
| Phone | 13 92 26 |
| Business website | Australian Business Register |
More Information
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