Individual Sole Trader ABN Form

Before you begin

Please have your Tax File Number handy before you begin this application.

If you do not already have one, you can obtain a Tax File Number by applying direct to the Australian Taxation Office.

If you need support

For assistance with this form, feel free to call one of our friendly staff on 1300 ABN ABN (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).


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Eligibility Questions

Before starting your application you need to acknowledge you understand your eligibility to get an ABN. If you are confused about any of the following questions, please ask us on live chat or contact us on 1300 226 226.

I have all the necessary information to complete the ABN application:

  • I understand the best structure for my business
  • I have the TFN, date of birth and name, OR name, address and date of birth for all key people in my business

I believe I am entitled to an ABN:

  • I am not applying just because I have been asked to get an ABN as a condition of employment
  • I meet a number of the key characteristics of a business, or will once started
  • I can provide evidence that I am entitled to an ABN if requested.

    • I understand my obligations:

  • To provide true and correct information in my ABN application
  • Once I have an ABN I must keep it up to date (within 28 days of any change) and cancel it once I am no longer trading or carrying on an enterprise.
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Note: Penalties can apply for misleading statements made in an ABN application

Not eligible for an ABN

You must agree to all above questions to be eligible for an ABN.

Do you already have an active ABN?

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You do not need to apply for a new ABN
If you already have an existing ABN that is active then you do not need to apply for a new one. You can look up an existing ABN via the Government's handy tool, available here.

Great! Click START to begin your ABN Application

Most applications take between 5 and 10 minutes

Proof of Identity

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If you have changed your last name (eg through marriage) please indicate your former name. We sometimes require this to match your identity with the ATO.

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Your Tax File Number (TFN) is an 8 or 9 digit number. If you do not have your tax file number at hand, then you may complete this online application now, and send through the TFN afterwards by email. We will not be able to complete your ABN application until we have your TFN.

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Please choose an option


Contact Details

What is your business' contact details for service of notices and correspondence?

Please enter a contact number.

Please enter a valid email address.

Getting Started

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You are not entitled to an ABN

If you're just thinking about starting a business, you're not entitled to an ABN. To be entitled to an ABN, the government expects you to have taken several steps to starting a business to show you're committed, such as:

- meet with financial or business advisers
- write a business plan
- estimate your potential business profit
- apply for finance
- run feasibility studies
- lease or buy premises or equipment for the business
- obtain licences to operate
- advertise your business.

You can read more about ABN entitlement on the Australian Business Register website.

This is the most common selection and includes activities that are business-like in nature such as contractors, small business owners, service professionals, etc.

Including apprentices, trade assistants and labourers

Such as an apartment or house

Such as land, cars, copyright or patents

Business-like deals or sales that aren't part of an on-going business

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You are not entitled to an ABN

Apprentices, trade assistants and labourers receive salary and wages and are required to work under the direction, control and supervision of their employer and as such they are considered employees for taxation and superannuation purposes. Therefore, you are not entitled to an ABN.
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This question is asking whether your activities are consistent with running a business or if they are more like a hobby.

If you're in business and not a hobby:
- you intend on running a business
- you plan on making a profit or gain
- your activities are ongoing or repeated
- your activities are similar to activities of similar businesses in your industry
- your activities are carried out in a business-like manner (systematic, organised and records are kept)
- the size and scale of your activities are reasonable
- you have a business plan
- your business has the relevant knowledge or skill.

Your business doesn't need to meet all of the traits listed above, but to be carrying on a business, it's expected that you meet several of them.
You are not entitled to an ABN

To be entitled to an ABN:

- you must be carrying on an enterprise in Australia, or
- in the course of carrying on an enterprise, you make supplies connected with Australia.

An enterprise, among other things, is an activity or series of activities done in the form of a business.To determine whether an activity, or series of activities, amounts to a business, the activity needs to be considered against the main indicators of a business. These include:

- an intention to engage in commercial activity
- an intention to make a profit from the activity
- the recurrent or regular nature of the activity
- the activity is carried on in a similar manner to that of other businesses in the same or similar trades
- the activity is systematic, organised and carried on in a businesslike manner and records are kept
- the activities are of a reasonable size and scale
- a business plan exists
- the entity has relevant knowledge or skill.
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When it says "regular", it means repeated in a way that follows a general pattern. There’s no set time period for which you must repeat activities. For example, you're selling regularly if you:

- set up a stall at your local markets every 4 to 6 weeks to sell your products
- put on exhibitions 3 or 4 times a year to sell your artwork.

When we say "continuous", we mean non-stop. For example, if you earn a continuous income from renting out farming land to one tenant for the next 20 years.

If your business activity isn't ongoing or repeated, or you’re not planning to make a profit or gain, what you’re doing could be more of a hobby than a business. Hobbies don’t need ABNs. For more about this, read the Australian Taxation Office "Are you in business?" page.

You can also read more about ABN entitlement on the Australian Business Register website.
You are not entitled to an ABN

To be entitled to an ABN you must be carrying on an enterprise in Australia, or in the course of carrying on an enterprise you make supplies connected with Australia. An enterprise, among other things, is an activity or series of activities done in the form of a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property on a regular or continuous basis.

The term property covers tangible assets such as land, cars and boats, as well as intangible assets such as copyrights and patents.

To be an enterprise, a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property must have a reasonable expectation of profit or gain and must be done on a regular or continuous basis.

An activity is:
- 'regular' if it is repeated at reasonably close intervals
- 'continuous' if there is no significant cessation or interruption to the activity.

On the basis of the information you have provided, you have not shown that you are carrying on an enterprise in the form of a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property on a regular or continuous basis. As a result you are not entitled to an ABN.
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When we say "regular", we mean repeated in a way that follows a general pattern. There’s no set time period for which you must repeat activities. For example, you're selling regularly if you:

- set up a stall at your local markets every 4 to 6 weeks to sell your products
- put on exhibitions 3 or 4 times a year to sell your artwork.

When we say "continuous", we mean non-stop. For example, if you earn a continuous income from renting out farming land to one tenant for the next 20 years.

If your business activity isn't ongoing or repeated, or you’re not planning to make a profit or gain, what you’re doing could be more of a hobby than a business. Hobbies don’t need ABNs. For more about this, read the Australian Taxation Office "Are you in business?" page.

You can also read more about ABN entitlement on the Australian Business Register website.
You are not entitled to an ABN

To be entitled to an ABN you must be carrying on an enterprise in Australia, or in the course of carrying on an enterprise you make supplies connected with Australia. An enterprise, among other things, is an activity or series of activities done in the form of a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property on a regular or continuous basis.

The term property covers tangible assets such as land, cars and boats, as well as intangible assets such as copyrights and patents.

To be an enterprise, a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property must have a reasonable expectation of profit or gain and must be done on a regular or continuous basis.

An activity is:
- 'regular' if it is repeated at reasonably close intervals
- 'continuous' if there is no significant cessation or interruption to the activity.

On the basis of the information you have provided, you have not shown that you are carrying on an enterprise in the form of a lease, licence or other grant of an interest in property on a regular or continuous basis. As a result you are not entitled to an ABN.
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This means that you and others have expectations that your activity will make a profit or gain. These expectations are reasonable and not based on risks or luck.

When answering this question consider also that different types of businesses earn profit at different rates.

The definition of 'profit or gain' here is the same as what you would use when talking to your accountant or other businesses.

You can also read more about ABN entitlement on the Australian Business Register website.
You are not entitled to an ABN

To be entitled to an ABN:

- you must be carrying on an enterprise in Australia, or
- in the course of carrying on an enterprise you make supplies connected with Australia.

An enterprise, among other things, is an activity or series of activities done in the form of an adventure or a concern in the nature of trade.

An adventure or a concern in the nature of trade relates to transactions of a commercial nature, which have the characteristics of a business deal and are entered into for profit making, but are not part of the activities of an on-going business. They can include isolated or one-off transactions, for example the sale of real property.

On the basis of the information you have provided, you have not shown that you are carrying on an enterprise in the form of an adventure or a concern in the nature of trade. As a result you are not entitled to an ABN.

ABN Details

Main Business Activity

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Please be as descriptive as possible. Terms like "Consultant", "Technician", or "Contractor" are not sufficient on their own. It is very important that you provide sufficient detail here in order for us to be able to complete your ABN application.

Other Required Information

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Business Addresses

Main Business Address

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ABN Australia can provide quality business address services (virtual office) at our offices located at:
232 Unley Road, Unley SA 5061 

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Monthly subscription is payable monthly until terminated. No Lock in contract, cancel anytime.
Alternatively, save by paying for 12 months upfront today.

A business address facility or virtual address allows you to use a prestigious business address for your business. It costs only a fraction of the cost of a physical space and can make your business look much bigger than it actually is. Offering essential mail-handling services, a Virtual Office is an ideal solution for small businesses needing an alternative address solution for their business, marketing, compliance and operational needs.
Please enter a street address

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Additional Business Address

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Postal Address

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Why do you need an ABN?

Select one option that best describes why you need an ABN.

You have set up, or are about to set up, a new business and have never had an ABN using the same business structure in Australia.

For example, if you earn income from an investment.

You have bought or taken over an existing business.

You are contracting or sub-contracting your services.

You need an ABN to receive payment for services.

You have restarted a business in the same business structure.

You have restarted a business in a different business structure.

The legal structure of your business has changed. For example, from a partnership to a sole trader.

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Answer 'Yes' to this question if you've never owned or operated a business in Australia. This includes as a sole trader, partner, trustee, director or contractor/subcontractor.
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Answer 'Yes' to this question if you've never worked as a contractor or sub-contractor in Australia.
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Answer 'Yes' to this question if you've never owned or operated a service business in Australia. This includes as a sole trader, partner, or contractor/subcontractor..
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Additional Tax Registrations

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Note these registrations are optional and only apply to some businesses. If you are not sure you can always apply for them later as needed. Please note if you are an Uber or tax driver then it is compulsory to register for GST.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

As a sole trader you are required to register for GST if your business has an annual GST turnover of $75,000 or more. If your business will have turnover of less than $75,000, registering for GST is optional.

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Note: you must choose Monthly if estimated turnover is greater than $2m.

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Fuel Tax Credits

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Pay as you go (PAYG)

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Note: Bank account details can be provided at a later date if you prefer.

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Additional Business Registrations

Business Name Registration

As a sole trader you are entitled to trade under your own name without registering a business name. If you would like to trade under a different business name to your own name, then you need to register a business name. If you would like to register a business name please complete the below section. There is an additional fee for the registration of a business name.

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When setting up your business, if you choose to operate as a sole trader then you will have to register your business name with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). However if your business name is your, or your partner's, first name and surname, then there is no need to register.

For example:
- Sally Miller has a jewellery business named 'Sally Miller'. As her business is trading under her own name, she does not need to register for a business name.
- Jodie Hart has a floral business named 'Hart Flowers'. As her business is not trading under her own name, she will need to register the business name 'Hart Flowers'.

Please complete the below section to indicate your preference.
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By submitting this application you declare that ABNAustralia.com.au (ABN 58 615 782 799) acting in its capacity as a Registered ASIC Agent is authorised to submit a business name application to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) on your behalf, and that ABNAustralia.com.au will utilise information supplied by you in this form to apply for a business name and will remain your ASIC agent and notify you when your business name requires renewal.

Please choose an option

Please don't select both options, just choose one.

Please let us know your name.

Note: Your preferred name may not be available due to a pre-existing registration or the similarity to an existing registered name.

Your Residential Address
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Please enter a suburb

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Birth Details
Please enter a place of birth

Please enter your town of birth.

Please choose a state

Please enter your country of birth.

Payment and Order Confirmation

Payments are made via Credit Card.

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Please include any additional notes or comments you would like to leave for us to read.

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