How to find my ABN (Australian Business Number)?
Last updated: 10 Oct 2025
Searching for your Australian Business Number? Take a look at how to find your ABN online
Key takeaways
- An ABN is a unique 11-digit number assigned to Australian businesses for tax and other business purposes
- To find your ABN, check the Australian Business Register or official documentation sent to your business by the government
- ABN Lookup tool is the quickest way to search for your or anyone else’s ABN
If you are running a business in Australia, you may be required to get an ABN or an Australian Business Number. The ABN is issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and helps identify your business to the government and other businesses.
If you don’t already have an ABN, you should check the eligibility requirements to see if you need to register for one.
If you already have an ABN, keep your registration number jotted down somewhere safe. You will need it when dealing with other businesses, generating invoices, or filing taxes.
Wondering how to find your ABN? Take a look.
Table of Contents
What is an ABN?
An ABN or Australian Business Number is a unique 11-digit number assigned to Australian businesses for tax and other business purposes.
Whether you have a retail business, an import business, an online store, or any other business, you may be required to get an ABN to ensure seamless operations. Getting an ABN also allows you to qualify for the Australian government’s tax benefits.
ABN is required for several purposes, including invoicing, trading and claiming Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit.
Who should apply for an ABN?
If you have a business in Australia, you may be required to get an ABN, regardless of the size or structure.
Typically, ABN is required by:
- Sole traders: Individuals who operate their business under their own name
- Companies: Registered companies
- Partnerships: Businesses that have two or more partners
- Trusts: Entities where a trustee manages the business on behalf of the trust’s members
- Non-profit: Charities and other associations
How to find your ABN?
There are several ways to find your ABN details, including:
- Check the Australian Business Register (ABR): It is the official database where you can find details about any registered ABN. You can use the ABN Lookup tool to find ABN details about any company in Australia. It’s possible to search businesses by their name, ABN, or ACN. So, if you can’t find your ABN, you can type in your business name and find it.
According to the official Australian Business Register website, the ABN Lookup tool has served more than 1.1 billion searches in the last 10 months. Over 83% of these searches used the ABN Lookup web tool.
If the business has an ACN (Australian Company Number), you can check the ACN and find the linked ABN on the official ASIC website.
→ Take a look at our head-to-head ABN vs ACN comparison
- Look into official documentation: Another way to find your ABN is by checking any official documentation you received from the government. Typically, you will find the ABN details mentioned in any of the documents sent by the government to your business.
Note: Even if your ABN is inactive, you can still find it with the Lookup tool. To reactivate the ABN, you will have to submit an online application.
How to perform an ABN check for other businesses
If you are partnering with a new business for the first time, you can also perform an ABN check on them to ensure their validity and authenticity.
Here are some of the many other benefits of performing an ABN check:
Tax compliance: It verifies that the business can legally invoice for its products or services and also claim GST credits through its ABN registration
Legal check: By ensuring the entity has an active ABN, you can verify that it is working within the law
Perform due diligence: Assessing the legitimacy of the business ensures they are a credible entity. ABN checks also reduce risks of financial losses and build more trustworthy relationships.
Prevent fraud: ABN checks can easily detect businesses not registered with the Australian government. This minimizes the risk of fraud, which could, in turn, cause financial loss and damage to reputation.
How to use the ABN Lookup tool
The quickest and easiest way to find your ABN or perform an ABN check on other businesses is through the ABN Lookup tool provided by the Australian Business Register.
Here’s how to use the tool:
- Go to the official ABR website to access the tool
- Enter the 11-digit ABN of the business to verify their identity. In case you don’t know the ABN or ACN, you can also search by the business’s name
- Look into the details of the business, including its name, registration status (active or inactive) and GST status. Even if you only know the ABN of the business, you can find the ACN attached to the ABN and confirm the details
ABN registration: How to apply for an ABN
You can apply for an ABN online for free through the Australian Business Register (ABR), which is managed by the ATO.
You’ll need to apply through the official government website. The application is online and doesn’t take long if you have all the required information ready. You’ll be asked to provide:
- Your business structure (sole trader, company, partnership, or trust)
- Proof of identity
- Details about your business activities, partners, and locations
What happens after you apply
If you’ve provided all the right details, you’ll usually find out straight away if your ABN is approved.
Here are the primary scenarios that can occur at the end of your ABN application:
- You’ll get your ABN if your application is successful
- You’ll get a refusal number if your application is unsuccessful (you’ll also get a letter within 14 days explaining why)
- You’ll get a reference number if your application needs to be reviewed
Applications flagged for further review can take up to 20 business days. During this time, the ATO might contact you for more information.
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How to reapply for ABN?
If your ABN was cancelled or previously refused, you’d still be able to reapply, as long as you’re still entitled under Australian business rules. The ABR lets you apply or reapply online using the same form. If your ABN was cancelled because it was inactive, but your business is operating again, you can easily reapply–often getting the same ABN back if your business structure hasn’t changed.
Note: You will be issued a new ABN number if your business structure has changed.
How to cancel ABN?
- You close your business
- You sell the business to someone else
- You stop operating in Australia
- You change your business structure, like going from a sole trader to a company
The easiest way to cancel your ABN is online through the Australian Business Register (ABR) website using your myGovID.
Once you cancel your ABN, any related tax registrations such as GST will be cancelled automatically.
How to update ABN details
If any of your business details change, you will have to update your ABN details within 28 days. This includes your business address, contact details, or the type of activities you do.
When you need to update ABN details
Update your ABN if:
- You change your business address or postal address
- Your contact details, like phone number or email, change
- Your business activities change
- You change business associates, such as partners or directors
You can update your ABN through the ABR platform using your myGovID. Changes you make online usually take effect immediately.
If you can’t access the online system, you can:
- Contact the ABR by phone
- Ask your tax agent to update the details
- Fill out and post a paper form
ABN vs ACN: What’s the difference
Here are the main differences between ABN and ACN:
| Feature |
ABN (Australian Business Number) |
ACN (Australian Company Number) (6) |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it |
All businesses operating in Australia |
Only companies registered with ASIC |
| Issued by |
ATO |
Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) |
| Purpose |
Identifies your business to the government and public for tax and invoicing |
Identifies a company under the Corporations Act |
| Length |
11 digits |
9 digits |
| Used for |
Invoicing, GST, PAYG, business dealings |
Company compliance, legal identity |
| Legal structure |
Used by sole traders, partnerships, companies, trusts |
Only applies to registered companies |
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Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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