3.8.2. Australian Business Number (ABN) Registration

The ABN (Australian Business Number) registration is a unique 11-digit identifier assigned to businesses and organisations by the Australian Business Register (ABR). An ABN is used to identify a business or organisation when dealing with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and other government agencies, as well as when conducting business transactions with other entities. Your Club needs to have an ABN and be registered for GST in order to claim GST credits for any GST you have paid for goods or services you have used in your business.

To register for an ABN, businesses and organisations must meet certain criteria, such as having an active business or commercial enterprise, and must provide details such as the business name, address, and structure. Depending on the nature of the business, additional information may be required, such as details about employees or contractors, or information about any licenses or permits required to operate.

Once an ABN is registered, it is listed on the ABR’s public register, which allows other entities to verify the ABN and check the status of the business or organisation. Having an ABN is also a requirement for many business-related activities, such as registering for Goods and Services Tax (GST) or applying for grants or funding.

Finding your Club or Branches ABN

1. Go to the Australian Business Register website: https://abr.business.gov.au/
2. Click on the “Search for an Australian Business” button.
3. Enter the name or Australian Company Number (ACN) of the company you are searching for.
4. Once you have found the company, click on the “Organisation details” link.
5. Look for the company’s ABN in the “Key details” section.
6. If the company does not have an ABN, it may be registered under a different entity type, such as a partnership or sole trader.

Alternatively, you can search for a company’s ABN using the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) website. Here’s how:

1. Go to the ASIC Connect website: https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/
2. Click on the “Search ASIC Registers” button.
3. Select “Organisations and Business Names” from the drop-down menu.
4. Enter the name or ACN of the company you are searching for.
5. Once you have found the company, click on the “Extract” button.
6. Look for the company’s ABN in the “Details of Organisation” section.