Starting a business
ABN Registration in Australia
How to apply for an ABN for free, who is eligible, when to register for GST — and how to pick the right structure before you start.
Know what you need? Request a fixed-fee quote and upload your documents. Not sure of scope? Book a short call with a senior lawyer instead.
In short
You can apply for an ABN for free through the Australian Business Register (ABR) at abr.gov.au. You must be carrying on, or starting, an enterprise in Australia. Companies register with ASIC first, then apply for an ABN. Register for GST once turnover reaches $75,000 a year.
An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit identifier the ATO uses for tax and invoicing. Getting one is quick, but picking the wrong structure at the start is one of the most common and expensive early mistakes we see.
Step by step: registering an ABN
- Decide your structure. Sole trader, partnership, company or trust. The ABN belongs to the entity, not the business name.
- If it is a company, register it with ASIC first. You will get an ACN. Each director needs a director ID before appointment.
- Gather your details. Tax file number for the applicant or entity, identity details, business address and the main business activity.
- Apply on abr.gov.au. The application is free. Most are processed straight away; some are referred for manual checks.
- Register for GST if required. You can do this in the same application.
- Register a business name with ASIC if you trade under a name other than your own or the company's.
Who can get an ABN
Under the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (Cth), you are entitled to an ABN if you carry on an enterprise in Australia, or are a company registered under the Corporations Act. Employees, people pursuing a hobby and passive investors generally are not. The ABR can cancel ABNs that should not have been issued.
Sole trader, partnership or company?
- Sole trader — simplest and cheapest, but you are personally liable for all business debts.
- Partnership — shared ownership; each partner can be liable for the partnership's debts. A partnership agreement is essential.
- Company — a separate legal entity with limited liability, a flat company tax rate and an easier path to investors. Comes with directors' duties and ASIC obligations.
- Trust — often used for asset protection and distributing income, but more complex to run.
See Pty Ltd vs sole trader, business structures and ABN vs ACN explained.
After you have an ABN
- Check your details on ABN Lookup — that is what customers and suppliers will see.
- Put your ABN on invoices. Businesses that are not quoted an ABN may have to withhold tax from payments.
- Get your customer terms, supplier contracts and any co-founder agreement in place before you start trading at scale.
- If you stop trading, cancel the ABN.
Where we help
Registering the ABN is something you can do yourself. Where we come in is the structure and documents around it: company set-up, constitutions, shareholders and founders agreements, and the first set of customer contracts. All for a fixed fee agreed upfront, with a senior lawyer doing the work. See startup legals and our fixed-fee services.
Frequently asked questions
Is ABN registration free?
Yes. Applying for an ABN through the Australian Business Register (ABR) is free. Services that charge a fee are only filling in the same government form for you.
Who is entitled to an ABN?
You need to be carrying on, or starting to carry on, an enterprise in Australia. Employees, hobbyists and people who only invest passively are generally not entitled to one. The ABR can refuse or later cancel an ABN that does not meet this test.
Do I need an ABN before registering a company?
No. A company is registered with ASIC first and receives an ACN. The company then applies for its own ABN and tax file number. Directors also need a director ID before they are appointed.
When must I register for GST?
Generally when your GST turnover reaches $75,000 a year ($150,000 for non-profits). Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers must register regardless of turnover. You can register for GST at the same time as applying for an ABN.
Should I register as a sole trader or a company?
It depends on liability, tax, plans to bring in investors or partners, and the risk profile of the business. A sole trader is simple and cheap, but there is no separation between personal and business liability. A short structuring conversation before registering often saves restructuring costs later.
Two ways to start
Get a fixed fee before any work starts.
Answer a few short questions, attach your documents if you have them, and a senior lawyer replies with the scope and the price.
Know what you need? Request a fixed-fee quote and upload your documents. Not sure of scope? Book a short call with a senior lawyer instead.