Verifying an Australian Business Number (ABN) is essential for businesses in Australia. An ABN check confirms if a business is legally registered. Using the right tools, like ABN Lookup, helps businesses avoid costly mistakes.
An ABN check helps confirm if a business is legally registered in Australia. Using ABN Lookup, you can verify ABN status, business name, GST registration and other key details. Checking an ABN can help prevent fraud, tax issues and compliance risks. Always confirm a supplier’s ABN details before making payments or signing contracts.
An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit registration number that identifies a business in Australia. It helps businesses interact with the government, the Australian Business Register (ABR), and other organisations. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) also use it for tax and legal purposes.
A business must have an ABN to:
Without an ABN, a business can’t legally operate in many cases. Some structures, like a partnership or Pty Ltd company, need to register before they can trade, while certain entities, such as hobbyists or individuals not carrying on an enterprise, may not need an ABN. It's essential to determine if your activities constitute a business under ATO guidelines.
ABN Lookup is a free online tool provided by the Australian Business Register (ABR). It lets users check the ABN details of businesses registered in Australia. The tool shows key information, including an ABN's status, entity type and GST registration. Businesses, suppliers and customers can use it to confirm if a business is legal and active.
Follow these steps to find and verify an ABN:
Users often make errors when searching for an ABN. Avoid these mistakes:
Using ABN Lookup is the right way to confirm a business is active and legally registered.
Checking an Australian Business Number (ABN) before working with a supplier or business helps protect you from legal and financial risks. An invalid or inactive ABN can lead to fraud, tax penalties and compliance issues.
If a business provides an invalid or cancelled ABN, you may face:
The ATO requires businesses to withhold tax at the top rate if a supplier does not provide a valid ABN. This rule stops businesses from avoiding tax. If you don’t withhold the correct amount, you may need to pay it later.
Sarah runs a Pty Ltd company and hired a contractor without checking their ABN details. The ABN Lookup tool later showed the contractor’s ABN was cancelled. Sarah had to withhold tax at the highest rate and report the issue to the ATO. She also lost the ability to claim GST credits for the work.
Always check an ABN before making payments or signing contracts. Doing so helps protect your business name, finances and legal standing.
An Australian Business Number (ABN) is available to businesses that operate in Australia. It helps businesses interact with the government, customers and suppliers. Not all businesses need an ABN, but many must have one to legally trade.
The following business structures can apply for an ABN:
Business Type | ABN Requirement |
---|---|
Sole trader | Must apply if carrying on a business |
Partnership | Must apply in the partnership name |
Company (Pty Ltd) | Must apply through ASIC before trading |
Trust | Must apply if carrying on a business |
If you only earn income as an employee, you can’t apply for an ABN.
Before applying, gather the following details:
Follow these steps to get an ABN through the Australian Business Register (ABR):
If the ABR needs more information, your application may take longer.
Before working with a business, you should confirm it is properly registered. A valid Australian Business Number (ABN) does not always mean a business has met all legal requirements. You may also need to check for an ACN, GST registration and a registered business name.
An ABN and ACN serve different purposes. Not all businesses need an ACN, but all companies do.
Identifier | Purpose | Who Needs It? | Issued By |
---|---|---|---|
ABN | Identifies a business for tax and trading | Sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts | Australian Business Register (ABR) |
ACN | Identifies a company registered under ASIC | Only required for companies (Pty Ltd) | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
A business may require other registrations to trade legally:
Before signing a contract or making a payment, check the following:
Verifying a business helps prevent fraud and ensures you deal with a legal and registered entity.
If you have lost your Australian Business Number (ABN), you can retrieve it through several methods. Your ABN is linked to your business name and tax records, so you should be able to find it using official sources.
Try these methods to find your ABN:
If you find yourself frequently losing your ABN details, we recommend saving them in a secure location that you can access at any time, such as via Business Kitz software platform. Utilising Business Kitz secure software platform, you can save your business information, employee, customer and supplier data in one place and check back at any time.
If you still can’t find your ABN, check the following:
If these steps don’t work, you may need to apply for an ABN again.
Businesses must keep their ABN details up to date. If key information changes, you must update your details on the Australian Business Register (ABR) within 28 days. Failing to do so can lead to compliance issues, penalties or missed business opportunities.
You should change your ABN details if:
Follow these steps to update your details online:
If your ABN details are incorrect, you may:
Keeping your ABN details updated helps you stay compliant and avoid legal or tax issues.
Before working with a supplier, you should verify their ABN details. This ensures they are a legitimate business and helps you avoid tax and legal issues. An invalid ABN can mean the supplier is not legally registered, which could lead to financial risks for your business.
A reliable supplier should meet these requirements:
Look for these warning signs when verifying a supplier:
Always check a supplier’s ABN and registration details before entering a contract or making a payment. This helps protect your business name, finances and reputation.
Verifying an Australian Business Number (ABN) helps businesses confirm the legitimacy of suppliers and customers. The ABN Lookup tool is the official government service, but some third-party tools offer extra features for efficiency.
Feature | ABN Lookup | Third-Party Tools |
---|---|---|
Free access | ✅ Yes | ❌ Some charge fees |
Real-time updates | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (if linked to the ABR) |
Bulk lookup | ❌ No | ✅ Available in some tools |
Integration with accounting software | ❌ No | ✅ Some offer Xero or MYOB integration |
Advanced reporting | ❌ No | ✅ Some provide automated reports |
A good ABN verification tool should have:
Choosing the right tool depends on business size and compliance needs.
Business Kitz can assist you to further streamline your business processes, with over 100 document templates to choose from to help your business remain compliant in our document library, generate templates using our document creator tool, store and manage documents in Business Kitz document vault, and seamlessly send and sign documents through Business Kitz document signing tool plus many more features designed to help your business run efficiently and cost-effectively.
You can check an ABN using ABN Lookup on the Australian Business Register (ABR) website. Enter the ABN, business name or ACN in the search bar to see if it’s active.
Yes, a company must have an ABN to trade legally in Australia. It also needs an ACN, which is issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
You can check an ACN using the ASIC Connect website. Enter the ACN to find company registration details, including business status and ABN details.
To get an ABN, apply through the ABR website. You must provide details like your business name, structure and products or services. If approved, you will receive an ABN instantly.
To register, you must include your business name, tax file number, contact details and business activities. If applying for a new business, ensure your details match official records.
The first step is confirming your business is eligible. Then, apply through the ABR website and provide all the required details.
Sole traders need to register for an ABN if they operate a business in Australia. If they only earn income as an employee, they do not need one.
A person can only have one ABN per business. If they operate multiple businesses, each must have a unique ABN.
Yes, you can apply for an ABN if you sell material goods or provide services as a business.
Yes, a family business can apply for an ABN if it operates as a sole trader, partnership or company.
Without an ABN, other businesses may withhold tax at the highest rate when paying you. You also can’t claim GST credits or register for certain business benefits.
A small business may trade without an ABN in limited cases, but it is recommended to register. Most businesses need an ABN to issue invoices, claim GST and operate legally.
If you can’t find your ABN, check ABN Lookup, old tax records or contact the ABR for help.
Yes, businesses that import or export products or services need an ABN to deal with customs and tax authorities.
You can apply for an ABN if you operate a business in Australia, even if you are based overseas.
If you stop trading, you must cancel your ABN through the ABR. If you reopen, you may need to apply again.
Yes, you can update your ABN details through the ABR website if your business details change.
Verifying an Australian Business Number (ABN) helps protect your business from fraud, tax issues and compliance risks. Before working with a supplier or client, always check their ABN details to confirm they are legally registered.
Using ABN Lookup is the easiest way to verify an ABN status. ABN Lookup provides real-time updates on business names, GST registration and other key details. Third-party tools can also help by offering bulk lookups and integration with accounting software.
Keeping your own ABN details up to date is just as important. If your business name, address or entity structure changes, update your details with the Australian Business Register (ABR). This ensures your records stay accurate and compliant.
Managing ABNs, compliance, and business documents can take time. Business Kitz offers tools that help businesses stay organised and meet their legal obligations. Using the right tools makes managing compliance easier and reduces risks. Get started with a free account today!
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