Under the Australian Corporations Law, every company in Australia has been issued with an Australian Company Number (ACN), which must be shown on a range of documents. The purpose of the ACN is to ensure adequate identification of companies when transacting business. Non-Australian entities can ignore this field.
Australian business entities who are registered for the goods and services tax (GST), will be assigned an ABN (Australian Business number) for taxation purposes in respect of GST charged and paid.
An ABN (Australian Business Number) and an ACN (Australian Company Number) are identification numbers assigned to businesses in Australia. Here’s a brief explanation of each:
1. ABN (Australian Business Number): An ABN is a unique 11-digit number that identifies a business for tax and business purposes. It is issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and is required for businesses to operate in Australia. An ABN is used for various activities, including invoicing, registering for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), claiming business credits, and interacting with government entities. It helps identify and track businesses for taxation and other legal purposes.
2. ACN (Australian Company Number): An ACN is a unique 9-digit number that identifies a company registered in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001. It is assigned by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The ACN is used to identify and track registered companies, and it is required for legal and administrative purposes. Companies incorporated in Australia must have an ACN, which is displayed on legal documents, correspondence, and company registers.
It’s important to note that an ABN is generally issued to all types of businesses, including sole traders, partnerships, trusts, and companies, whereas an ACN specifically applies to registered companies. Both numbers play a significant role in identifying and conducting business activities in Australia, ensuring compliance with taxation and regulatory requirements.
It’s advisable for businesses operating in Australia to obtain an ABN and, if applicable, an ACN to ensure proper identification and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
In Australia, having an ABN (Australian Business Number) is a requirement for registering an Australian domain name. The policy is in place to ensure that only legitimate businesses or entities are eligible to register domain names with the .au extension.
Here are a few reasons why an ABN is needed to register an Australian domain:
1. Verification of Business: Requiring an ABN helps verify the legitimacy of the business or entity applying for the domain registration. It ensures that the domain is being registered by an Australian business or organization, rather than individuals or entities from overseas.
2. Compliance with Australian Regulations: The Australian domain registration policies, managed by the .au Domain Administration (auDA), require businesses to have an ABN to register a domain name with the .au extension. This policy helps maintain the integrity of the .au domain space and ensures compliance with Australian regulations.
3. Business Identification: The ABN serves as a unique identifier for businesses in Australia. When a domain name is registered with an ABN, it helps associate the domain with the registered business, providing transparency and accountability.
4. Business Contact Information: Registering a domain name with an ABN allows the domain registry to link the domain’s registration details with the business’s contact information provided during the ABN registration process. This ensures accurate and up-to-date contact information associated with the domain.
Overall, requiring an ABN for Australian domain registration helps maintain the integrity of the .au domain space, ensures compliance with Australian regulations, and provides transparency in associating businesses with their respective domain names. It helps establish a trustworthy and reliable online presence for Australian businesses.
