How to check an ABN

An Australian Business Number, or ABN, is an 11-digit number that identifies a business to the government and to other businesses. You'll see it on quotes, invoices, websites and receipts. Looking it up is one of the quickest checks you can make before you hire someone or buy from a business you don't know, and it costs nothing.

This guide explains how to use the Australian Business Register's ABN Lookup tool, what the results tell you, and, just as importantly, what they don't.

What ABN Lookup is

ABN Lookup is the public search tool for the Australian Business Register (ABR). According to the ABR, it is free and doesn't require a login. You can search by ABN, by name or by Australian Company Number (ACN).

The ABR says ABN Lookup is updated hourly from the register. However, the information comes from what businesses themselves tell the register, and the ABR does not guarantee its accuracy. Businesses are required to keep their details up to date, and the ABR says they must update them within 28 days of a change. In practice, treat ABN Lookup as a strong starting point rather than the last word.

How to look up an ABN

1. Go to the ABN Lookup website at abr.business.gov.au.
2. Type the 11-digit ABN into the search box. Spaces don't matter.
3. Open the result to see the full record.

If you only have a name, you can search by name instead. Expect several results for common names, and use the state and postcode to narrow them down.

Reading the result

A record usually includes the following.

ABN status

The status shows whether the ABN is active or cancelled, with the date it took effect. An active ABN is what you'd expect from a business currently trading. A cancelled ABN on a current quote or invoice is a reason to ask questions before you pay. There may be an innocent explanation, such as a change of business structure with a new ABN, but you should get it.

Entity name and type

The entity name is the legal name of the person, company, partnership or trust that holds the ABN. The entity type tells you which of those it is. For a sole trader, the entity name is usually the person's own name. For a company, it's the registered company name.

Business and trading names

Many businesses trade under a name that isn't their legal name. ABN Lookup lists registered business names linked to the ABN, and may show older trading names. Check that the name on your quote, website or van appears here. If it doesn't, ask the business to explain.

GST status

The record shows whether the entity is registered for GST and from when. This matters if a business adds GST to its price. A business that charges GST should be registered for it. If an invoice includes GST but ABN Lookup shows no GST registration, ask about it before paying.

Location

ABN Lookup shows the state and postcode of the main business location, not a street address. That's enough to check the business is roughly where it says it is. A business claiming to be a local operator but registered on the other side of the country isn't necessarily dishonest (it may have moved or operate in several areas), but it's worth a question.

What ABN Lookup doesn't tell you

ABN Lookup confirms that a number is registered to a named entity. It doesn't tell you:

• whether the business is licensed for the work, which you check separately with the relevant state body (see checking licences);
• whether it holds insurance or required warranty cover;
• anything about the quality of its work or how it treats customers;
• its phone number, email or street address, which ABN Lookup doesn't publish;
• whether the person you're talking to actually works for that business.

That last point matters. Scammers sometimes quote a genuine ABN belonging to a real business to look legitimate. If anything feels off, contact the business using details you find independently, not the ones in the message you received. Our guide to paying safely covers invoice scams in more detail.

When things don't match

Small mismatches are common and usually innocent. A sole trader might trade under a brand name, or a business might have restructured. Here's how to approach the most common situations.

• The name on the quote isn't on the record. Ask which entity you'd be contracting with, and make sure the contract names it.
• The ABN is cancelled. Ask whether the business has a new ABN and look that one up.
• GST is charged but the business isn't registered. Ask for an explanation before paying the GST component.
• The ABN doesn't exist or belongs to an unrelated business. Treat this as a serious warning sign.
• There's no ABN at all. Some individuals aren't required to have one, but for most business transactions you'd expect one. Ask why.

Where an ABN check fits in

Think of the ABN check as the first of several simple steps. Together they give you a much clearer picture than any one of them alone:

1. ABN Lookup: is this a registered business, and does the name match?
2. Licence check: is it licensed for this work in your state?
3. Reviews: what do other customers say, across more than one platform? See reading online reviews.
4. Written quote: does it clearly set out scope, price and timing? See getting quotes.
5. Payment details: are you paying the right account, confirmed independently?

Our quote checker gives you a place to record what you've checked for each business.

For businesses: keep your record current

If you run a business, your ABN record is often the first thing a careful customer sees. Keep your business names, GST status and location up to date with the ABR, and quote your ABN clearly on quotes and invoices. If you trade under a name that isn't your legal name, make sure it's registered and linked to your ABN, so customers can connect the dots without having to ask.

A worked example

Imagine you've received a quote from "Harbourside Tiling" with an ABN at the bottom. You search the number and find an active ABN for a sole trader, J. Citizen, located in your state, with "Harbourside Tiling" listed as a business name and GST registration in place. The quote adds GST. Everything lines up. Your next step is to check the tiler's licence and read some reviews.

Now imagine the same search shows the ABN was cancelled two years ago and the business name isn't listed. That doesn't prove wrongdoing, but you'd want a clear explanation, and probably a new ABN to check, before you paid any deposit.

Searching by name

If you don't have an ABN, a name search can still help. Try the exact trading name first, then variations, and use the state and postcode filters to narrow the results. If several businesses share a similar name, ask the business for its ABN directly so you can be sure you've found the right record.

Key points

• ABN Lookup is free, needs no login and is updated hourly from the register.
• Check the ABN status, entity name, business names, GST status and location.
• Make sure the name on your quote matches a name on the record.
• An active ABN doesn't confirm licences, insurance or quality.
• If details don't match, ask questions before you pay.