ACN Example: How To Use And Display Your Australian Company Number

When you register a company in Australia, you’re issued a unique nine‑digit Australian Company Number (ACN). It’s a simple number, but it carries a lot of weight - it identifies your company with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and needs to appear on key business documents.

If you’re new to running a company, you might be wondering: what does an ACN look like in practice, where do you have to put it, and how is it different from an ABN?

In this guide, we’ll walk through clear ACN examples, show you exactly how to display your ACN on invoices, emails and websites, and explain how to stay compliant without the stress.

What Is An ACN And Why It Matters

An Australian Company Number (ACN) is a unique nine‑digit number issued to every company registered with ASIC. Think of it as your company’s official ID number.

ASIC uses your ACN to track your company’s filings, changes and compliance. Suppliers, customers and banks may also use it to confirm your company’s existence and status.

If you’re trading through a company (Pty Ltd), you must include your ACN on a range of public documents. This helps others identify your entity correctly and reduces the risk of confusion with similarly named businesses.

If you haven’t incorporated yet and you’re deciding whether to operate as a sole trader or a company, it’s worth weighing up the benefits of a company structure - including limited liability and credibility - before you proceed. When you’re ready, you can handle your Company Set Up with the right documents and filings in place from day one.

ACN Example And Format (With Variations)

An ACN has nine digits. The typical presentation uses spaces for readability:

• Example ACN (spaced): 123 456 789
• Example ACN (no spaces): 123456789
• Example ACN (with labels): ACN 123 456 789

All of these refer to the same number. On formal documents, it’s best practice to include the “ACN” label followed by the spaced number so there’s no doubt about what it is:

ACN 123 456 789

Some companies display their ACN alongside their full legal name, which is often required. For example:

Example Manufacturing Pty Ltd (ACN 123 456 789)

Once your company is registered, your ACN appears on your ASIC registration certificate. If you need a copy, you can order an ASIC Certificate of Registration confirming your details.

Where Do You Need To Display Your ACN?

Companies must display their ACN - or their ABN, if the company has one - on a set of public documents. As a rule of thumb, if it’s a document that represents your company publicly, include your ACN clearly.

Common places to include your ACN

• Invoices and receipts: Place your ACN (or ABN) in the header or footer along with your full company name and address.
• Purchase orders and quotes: Include it near your company name for easy identification.
• Business letters, statements and notices: Use the footer so it appears on every page.
• Website footer and contact page: Display your legal name and ACN in the site footer or on your contact/legal pages.
• Email signatures: Add your ACN under your name/title and company details.
• Company stationery and forms: Any standard document templates should include your ACN by default.

If your company also uses a consumer‑facing business name, make sure the public knows which legal entity is behind it. It’s common to show the business name and, nearby or in the footer, the company’s full legal name and ACN. For clarity around names, this explainer on Business Name vs Company Name is helpful.

Online, you’ll often include your ACN alongside your legal policies. If you sell or take bookings on your site, ensure your Website Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy identify your company correctly (including the ACN) to avoid confusion or disputes.

ACN vs ABN: What’s The Difference For Your Business?

It’s easy to mix these up. Here’s the plain‑English distinction:

• ACN (Australian Company Number): Issued by ASIC when you register a company. It identifies your company under the Corporations Act.
• ABN (Australian Business Number): Issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR). It identifies your business for tax and GST purposes.

If your entity is a company, you’ll have an ACN. Many companies also register for an ABN (and GST when required) to trade and invoice properly. On documents where you must show an ACN, you can generally show your ABN instead if the company has one. That’s why you’ll often see companies list “ABN 12 345 678 901” on invoices rather than the ACN.

Technical note: for companies, the last nine digits of the ABN correspond to the ACN, but you should still label whichever number you display correctly (“ABN” or “ACN”).

If your business is not a company - for example, you’re a sole trader or partnership - you won’t have an ACN, but you can and should have an ABN to operate and invoice under your own name or a registered business name.

How Do You Get An ACN? (Company Setup Steps)

You receive an ACN automatically when you register a company with ASIC. Here’s the high‑level process most small businesses follow in Australia.

1) Decide on your structure

Before you apply, confirm whether a company is right for you. Many small businesses start as a company for limited liability, the ability to bring in co‑founders or investors, and brand credibility. Others start as sole traders for simplicity.

If you plan to have directors in Australia, it helps to check the Australian Resident Director Requirements so you set up a compliant board from the outset.

2) Choose your name and prepare documents

Pick a company name (or register without a name and use your ACN as the name for now) and prepare your core documents - for example, a Company Constitution to govern how the company operates. If you’ll have multiple owners, it’s also wise to put a Shareholders Agreement in place to set decision‑making and exit terms.

3) Apply to ASIC and receive your ACN

Submit your company details to ASIC. Once approved, ASIC issues your ACN and a registration certificate. Keep that certificate safe - banks, suppliers and clients may ask for it. If you misplace it, you can retrieve your details or order a copy via your ASIC registration certificate.

4) Set up your operational and legal foundations

Sort your ABN, GST (if applicable), bank account and insurance. Build out your contract suite and website legals so you can trade confidently. If you sell goods or services, your Terms of Trade, Website Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy should identify your company (with ACN) and set clear rules with customers.

If you’ll execute documents as a company, it’s smart to understand signing under section 127 so your contracts are properly executed.

Prefer a streamlined process? Our lawyers can handle your Company Set Up end to end and make sure your ACN, documents and registrations are done correctly from day one.

Practical Templates: How To Show Your ACN On Invoices, Emails And Websites

Here are ready‑to‑use examples you can adapt. Replace the placeholders with your company’s details and ACN.

Invoice footer (company trading with an ABN)

Example Manufacturing Pty Ltd
ABN 12 345 678 901  |  ACN 123 456 789
Level 1, 100 Example Street, Sydney NSW 2000
accounts@example.com  |  +61 2 9000 0000

If you’re a company and you include your ABN, you don’t also have to show the ACN on that document - but many businesses include both for clarity. Either way, make sure your invoice terms are clear. If you’re setting payment timeframes and late fees, align them with your Terms of Trade and the policies you’ve set on your site and quotes.

Email signature (simple layout)

Jane Smith
General Manager

Example Manufacturing Pty Ltd (ACN 123 456 789)
ABN 12 345 678 901
T +61 2 9000 0000  |  E jane.smith@example.com

Website footer (with legal links)

© Example Manufacturing Pty Ltd (ACN 123 456 789)
ABN 12 345 678 901
Sydney, Australia

Privacy Policy  |  Website Terms and Conditions

On your website, link those footer items to your live Privacy Policy and Website Terms and Conditions. Also ensure your “Contact” or “About” page shows the full company name and ACN so customers and partners can identify your entity quickly.

Quote or purchase order (header)

Example Manufacturing Pty Ltd
ACN 123 456 789  |  ABN 12 345 678 901
PO # 000123

If you use templates, bake these details into your master files so no document goes out missing your ACN. Consistency builds trust and reduces back‑and‑forth with procurement teams.

Tips to avoid common display mistakes

• Use your full legal name: Show the proper company name, including “Pty Ltd”, not just your trading or business name.
• Label the number correctly: If you show an ABN, label it “ABN”. If you show an ACN, label it “ACN”. Don’t mix the labels.
• Keep formatting consistent: “ACN 123 456 789” is clear and professional. Use it the same way in all templates.
• Update when details change: If your company name or address changes, update every template immediately.

What about signatures and company execution?

When you sign contracts, your signature block should include the full company name and ACN, and follow an appropriate execution method. Companies often sign under section 127 of the Corporations Act - understanding the basics of company execution helps ensure your agreements are enforceable.

ACN and trading names

If you trade under a registered business name, remember that the company still sits behind that brand. Your customer‑facing materials can lead with the business name, but somewhere visible (e.g. footer) include the company’s legal name and ACN. If you’re unsure how these naming rules work in practice, this guide on Business Name vs Company Name breaks it down simply.

Key Takeaways

• Your ACN is a nine‑digit identifier issued by ASIC when you register a company - for example: ACN 123 456 789.
• Display your ACN (or ABN, if the company has one) on invoices, receipts, letters, website footers, email signatures and standard templates.
• ABN and ACN are different: ABN is for tax/business identification, ACN is for company identification. Label whichever number you use correctly.
• Set up smart templates so your ACN and full legal name appear consistently; this avoids compliance issues and builds trust.
• When incorporating, prepare a solid foundation with documents like a Company Constitution and understand company execution to keep contracts enforceable.
• If you want a hassle‑free process, our team can handle your Company Set Up and make sure your ACN, registrations and website legals are spot on.

If you’d like a consultation on ACNs and company setup for your business, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no‑obligations chat.