{"id":3184,"date":"2025-07-25T18:31:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T08:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/?p=3184"},"modified":"2025-07-25T18:31:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T08:31:43","slug":"what-are-abn-and-acn-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/07\/25\/what-are-abn-and-acn-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"What are ABN and ACN In Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are ABN and ACN in Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An <strong>Australian Business Number (ABN)<\/strong> is an 11-digit unique identifier issued by the <strong>Australian Business Register (ABR)<\/strong>. It is used to identify businesses and individuals operating as sole traders, freelancers, contractors, or under any business structure within Australia. Whether you&#8217;re starting a small side hustle, freelancing, or launching a full-scale business, an ABN is often the first official registration step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 Who Needs an ABN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You need an ABN if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are you running or starting a business in Australia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work as an independent contractor, consultant, or freelancer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sell products or services online or in person with the intention of making a profit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operate as a sole trader, partnership, company, or trust<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\ud83d\udd39 Even <strong>international students<\/strong> in Australia can apply for an ABN if they work independently or operate a small business (e.g., Uber Eats, graphic design, online selling).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf93 Do Students Need an ABN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, international students who plan to work as <strong>freelancers, independent contractors, or gig workers<\/strong> must apply for an ABN. Common examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Food delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ride-sharing (Uber, Ola)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freelancing (design, IT, content writing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online businesses (dropshipping, tutoring, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <strong>Important:<\/strong> Students must comply with their visa work restrictions, which generally allow <strong>up to 48 hours per fortnight during academic sessions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re unsure whether your job requires an ABN, you can get support from <strong>Student Consultants<\/strong> at <a>care@studentconsultants.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcdd How to Register for an ABN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Registering for an ABN is <strong>free<\/strong> and easy. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit the official Australian Business Register (ABR) website:<br>\ud83d\udc49 <a>https:\/\/www.abr.gov.au\/business-super-funds-charities\/applying-abn<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select &#8220;Apply for an ABN&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fill out your business or personal details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit the form<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, your ABN will be issued <strong>instantly<\/strong> unless more information is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfe2 Types of ABNs (Business Structures)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ABNs are linked to your business structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Business Structure<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Sole Trader<\/strong><\/td><td>Most common for students and freelancers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Partnership<\/strong><\/td><td>Two or more people running a business together<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Company<\/strong><\/td><td>A separate legal entity registered with ASIC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Trust<\/strong><\/td><td>A trustee manages income\/assets for others<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Most individuals starting out\u2014especially international students\u2014choose to operate as <strong>sole traders<\/strong> for simplicity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd0d What\u2019s the Difference Between ABN and ACN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Feature<\/th><th><strong>ABN<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>ACN<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Stands for<\/td><td>Australian Business Number<\/td><td>Australian Company Number<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Format<\/td><td>11 digits<\/td><td>9 digits<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Issued by<\/td><td>Australian Business Register (ABR)<\/td><td>Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Purpose<\/td><td>Identifies businesses of all types for tax and invoicing<\/td><td>Specifically identifies registered companies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Required for<\/td><td>Sole traders, partnerships, companies, trusts<\/td><td>Only required for <strong>companies<\/strong> registered under ASIC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Registration Website<\/td><td><a>abr.gov.au<\/a><\/td><td><a>asic.gov.au<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You need an <strong>ABN<\/strong> if you\u2019re operating a business of any kind in Australia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You need an <strong>ACN<\/strong> <strong>only if<\/strong> you register a <strong>company<\/strong> through <strong>ASIC<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A company will usually have <strong>both<\/strong> an ACN and ABN.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf1f Benefits of Having an ABN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legally invoice clients and customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Register a business name with ASIC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid having 47% of your pay withheld (if you don\u2019t provide an ABN)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Register for GST if annual turnover exceeds $75,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build credibility for your business<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open a business bank account<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd17 Useful Government Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Apply for ABN:<\/strong> <a>https:\/\/www.abr.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ABN Lookup:<\/strong> <a>https:\/\/abr.business.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Register a Business Name:<\/strong> <a>https:\/\/asic.gov.au\/for-business\/registering-a-business-name\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What is ACN:<\/strong> <a>https:\/\/asic.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udd1d Need Help? Contact Student Consultants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At <strong>Student Consultants<\/strong>, we help international students and new business owners navigate Australia\u2019s business registration process. Whether you need an ABN, want to explore your freelance options, or understand tax obligations, our team is here to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udce7 Email: <a>care@studentconsultants.com.au<\/a><br>\ud83c\udf10 Website: <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\">https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u26a0\ufe0f Disclaimer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The information in this article is intended for general guidance only. <strong>Laws, requirements, and eligibility criteria are subject to change<\/strong>. Please verify the latest information through official government sources such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a>https:\/\/www.abr.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a>https:\/\/www.ato.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a>https:\/\/asic.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Student Consultants does not accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, or outdated information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are ABN and ACN in Australia An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit unique identifier issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR). It is used to identify businesses&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3185,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[92,65,44,46],"tags":[98,99,100],"class_list":["post-3184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-business-visa","category-resources","category-study","tag-abn","tag-acn","tag-australian-business-number"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3184"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3186,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3184\/revisions\/3186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentconsultants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}