Australia · Independent guide
ABN vs ACN
An ABN is an 11-digit number for any business entity, issued free by the Australian Business Register. An ACN is a 9-digit number only for companies, issued by ASIC when the company is registered. A company has both; a sole trader has only an ABN.
Official site: ABN Lookup ↗
Side by side
| ABN | ACN | |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 11 | 9 |
| Issued by | Australian Business Register | ASIC |
| Who gets one | Sole traders, partnerships, trusts, companies | Companies only |
| Cost | Free | Company registration fee applies |
Related
A company's ABN is usually its ACN with two check digits in front.