Business identity · Australian business guide
ABN, ACN and Business Registration
Work out which identifier belongs to which entity, verify the public registers and avoid putting the wrong name or number on contracts and invoices.
Decision path
- 01
Identify the entity
Separate the legal entity from its trading and brand names.
- 02
Check both registers
Use ABN Lookup and ASIC where a company or registered body is involved.
- 03
Register the right thing
Match the company, business name, tax and industry registrations to the actual structure.
Selected reading
Get the facts before choosing the document.
These are the strongest starting points for this topic. Use the official sources for the current rule, then scope legal work against your facts.
Primary sources
Source links checked 20 July 2026. Confirm the current rule before acting.
Legal work that may follow
Turn the decision into usable documents and advice.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. The right path depends on the entity, documents and commercial facts.