Reinstating An ABN: What You Need To Know (2025 Updated)

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An Australian Business Number (ABN) is one of the most essential identifiers for your business in Australia in 2025. Almost every legal and business engagement now requires an ABN as your official form of identification.

If you have previously cancelled an ABN or shut down your business and now wish to start things up again, you will likely need to go through the process of reapplying for all the relevant legal registrations. In other words, you’d need to reinstate your ABN.

We’ll walk you through some important details – keep reading to find out more.

What Is An ABN?

An ABN is an Australian Business Number that consists of 11 unique digits. It acts as your business’s official identifier when dealing with government agencies, financial institutions, and clients.

Every business operating in Australia in 2025 needs an ABN to undertake key tasks such as filing taxes and registering for various licences. It’s relatively simple to acquire an ABN – you can complete the application online by providing the necessary details and paying the applicable fee.

Can I Cancel My ABN?

Yes, an ABN can be cancelled. If you have sold your business or ceased trading, you must inform the Australian Business Register (ABR) accordingly.

ABN cancellation is processed much in the same way as its registration – typically completed online. However, before you cancel your ABN, it’s important to ensure that:

Any outstanding tax obligations have been met
All important documents have been lodged
Any fines or fees owing are paid
All reporting duties have been completed

How To Reinstate An ABN

The process of applying or reapplying for an ABN remains essentially the same. Once your previous ABN has been cancelled, you cannot retrieve that exact number – instead, you must submit a new application.

Before reapplying, make sure you have settled all previous tax obligations and that your business details are fully updated. This extra step helps ensure a smoother registration process and that you comply with the latest requirements from the ABR and ASIC. For additional guidance on re-establishing your business, you might also want to check out our How to Start a Business in Australia article.

Can I Have More Than One ABN?

A business can only have one ABN. However, if you are an individual operating multiple businesses, each distinct business entity will need its own ABN. If you’re a sole trader managing different ventures, consider reading our guide on operating as a sole trader to better understand your options.

If you simply need to update your business activities or classifications, you can amend your current ABN details rather than applying for a new number. To check the current status of your ABN, use the ABN Lookup Tool.

Example
Harry operates as a hairstylist from his own hair salon. As the sole owner and operator of his business, he has maintained a single ABN. Recently, Harry has expanded his business to include his own line of hair care products. Rather than obtaining a new ABN, Harry simply updated the classifications on his existing number to reflect his new business activities.

Do I Need An ACN As Well?

If you are operating as a company, then yes – you will need both an ABN and an Australian Company Number (ACN). Businesses that operate under a company structure, as detailed in our company limited liability guide, must obtain an ACN. Sole traders, however, do not require an ACN.

An ACN can also be applied for online. Similar to an ABN, it involves completing the application form, providing the necessary information, and paying a fee. This number is crucial for legally identifying your company.

Deregistering A Company

A company can be deregistered either voluntarily or involuntarily. In cases of involuntary deregistration, the company has typically been shut down through a court order.

Voluntary deregistration must follow a specific process, which includes:

Obtaining consent from all company members to deregister
Ensuring that all taxes, annual reviews, and fees have been paid (note that deregistration should be initiated at least two weeks before annual review fees are due)
Ceasing all business operations
Closing down company accounts and disposing of all assets held under the company’s name
Submitting an application via the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to deregister the company

After a company has been deregistered, it may be reinstated under certain conditions. Generally, this involves:

Incomplete litigation requiring the company’s reinstatement
Demonstrating that a mistake was made during involuntary deregistration
For voluntarily deregistered companies, a former director, secretary or member must prove that the deregistration was erroneous and that the company will be viable upon reinstatement

Do I Need To Register My Business Again?

If you have deregistered your business, then yes – you will need to register it again. Likewise, if you have sold or ceased trading under a business name, you will need to reapply for a new ABN and register a new business name, as the former one may no longer be available. In 2025, the registration processes have been further streamlined online through platforms like Business.gov.au. For more detailed information on restarting your venture, please see our guide on How to Start a Business in Australia.

Looking Ahead: Keeping Your Registrations Up-to-Date

As the regulatory environment continues to evolve in 2025, staying on top of your business registrations and compliance requirements is more important than ever. Regularly review your ABN and ACN details, and make sure any changes to your business structure or activities are promptly updated. For more tips on ensuring your legal documents are current, you can explore our Getting Started with Your Legals guide.

Key Takeaways

Reinstating a former business in 2025 means reapplying for an ABN and getting your business re-registered through the appropriate channels. To summarise what we’ve discussed:

To reinstate an ABN, you must submit a new application following the same process as for a new ABN
If you are operating as a company, you’ll also need an ACN – refer to our company limited liability guide for further details
If you cancel your ABN, always ensure that all tax obligations and reporting duties are completed beforehand
Deregistering a company involves a specific process with ASIC, including compensating outstanding fees and closing accounts
Under certain conditions, a deregistered company may be reinstated
If you cease trading, you will need to register a new ABN and possibly a new business name, so keep your details updated

If you would like a consultation on reinstating an ABN or need assistance with any business registration matters, feel free to reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.

Sapna Goundan

Sapna has completed a Bachelor of Arts/Laws. Since graduating, she's worked primarily in the field of legal research and writing, and she now writes for Sprintlaw.

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