Guide
ABN Lookup Australia: How to Search, Verify & Use ABR Data
Free, fast, and the first check before paying any new supplier.
ABN Lookup is the free public search of the Australian Business Register — the fastest way to confirm a supplier is who they say they are, whether they can charge GST, and whether their ABN is still active. This guide covers how to use it, what the results mean, and the traps that catch out businesses paying invoices.
What ABN Lookup Is
ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au) is the public-facing search on the Australian Business Register, maintained by the Australian Taxation Office. It contains every ABN ever issued, current status, entity type, GST registration dates, business names, and the state or territory of the main business address.
How to Search — Two Ways
1. Search by ABN
Enter the 11-digit ABN from an invoice, quote or contract. Spaces don't matter. You get the entity's legal name, ABN status ("Active" or "Cancelled"), entity type, GST registration status, business names, and state.
2. Search by name
Enter a business or trading name. The results list every entity with a matching registered name — often multiple hits, so match on state and entity type. If a "company" appears with entity type "Individual/Sole Trader", that is your first red flag.
What Each Field Means
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| ABN status | Active = entitled to quote ABN. Cancelled = not entitled; PAYG withholding applies. |
| Entity type | Company, sole trader, trust, partnership. Should match how they've held themselves out. |
| GST | "Registered from" date. If not registered, they cannot charge GST — full stop. |
| Business names | Every registered trading name linked to the ABN. |
| Main business location | State/postcode only (privacy). Useful for jurisdiction checks. |
Why This Matters When Paying Suppliers
If a supplier gives you an invoice quoting an ABN, you're legally entitled to rely on ABN Lookup. But two situations trigger a 47% PAYG withholding obligation on you as the payer:
- The supplier does not quote an ABN at all.
- The ABN they quote is cancelled or invalid.
Failing to withhold makes you liable for the tax. A 30-second ABN Lookup check before paying a new supplier's first invoice avoids this entirely.
GST — The Second Check
Registration for GST is optional under $75k turnover ($150k for not-for-profits). If a small supplier isn't registered, they cannot legally add 10% GST to their invoice. If they do, you can't claim it as an input tax credit — and you're overpaying. ABN Lookup shows the exact "GST registered from" date.
Business Name vs Legal Name
A common confusion: "Bob's Plumbing" might be a business name owned by "Robert Smith Family Trust". The invoice must be issued in the name of the entity that holds the ABN, not just the trading name. If the two don't line up, ask for a corrected invoice — mismatched names are one of the top ATO audit triggers.
ABN Lookup vs ASIC Company Search
ABN Lookup is free and gives you tax-side data. For company-side data (directors, shareholders, registered office, historical filings) you need an ASIC company search. For companies, run both — they answer different questions. See also our guide on ABN vs ACN.
Bulk Data and API Access
ABN Lookup publishes a free bulk XML extract (updated monthly) and a free web-service API for automated verification. Fintechs and onboarding platforms use the API to auto-verify supplier ABNs at scale. Terms of use are permissive but attribution is required.
When ABN Lookup Isn't Enough
ABN Lookup won't tell you:
- Whether the company is in liquidation (use ASIC company search).
- Whether assets are secured under PPSR (use PPSR search).
- Director identity or history (ASIC only).
- Financial position or credit history.
For due diligence before a business acquisition, ABN Lookup is step one — never the whole picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABN Lookup free?
Yes. ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au) is a free public service run by the Australian Business Register. There is no charge to search, view results, or download the bulk extract.
Can I search ABN Lookup by business name?
Yes — use the name search on ABN Lookup. It returns every entity with a matching or similar registered name, its ABN, entity type, status, and state.
What does 'ABN cancelled' mean?
The entity has told the ATO it is no longer carrying on an enterprise, or the ATO has cancelled it for inactivity. A cancelled ABN cannot legally quote an ABN on invoices; if a supplier gives you one, they are not entitled to your payment without PAYG withholding at 47%.
Is an ABN the same as an ACN?
No. An ACN (Australian Company Number) is a 9-digit ASIC identifier for companies only. An ABN is an 11-digit ATO identifier for any entity carrying on an enterprise — including companies, sole traders, trusts and partnerships. Companies have both.
Next Step
Running due diligence on a supplier, target or new customer? Book a 15-minute call — we'll tell you which searches are worth running before you sign.
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