The Australian Company Number is a unique 9-digit number ASIC issues to every company at incorporation. It identifies the company on the public register and must appear on key company documents.

You receive an ACN automatically when your company is registered with ASIC. There is no separate ACN application: registering the company is the process.

Company identifiers, explained

What is an ACN and why your company gets one

Q: Does my company need an ABN too?

Yes, to operate. The company's 11-digit ABN is usually the ACN with a two-digit prefix. The ACN identifies the company with ASIC; the ABN identifies it with the ATO and goes on invoices.

Q: Where must the ACN appear?

On common company documents such as those lodged with ASIC, official company notices, cheques and documents the company signs. On invoices, quoting the ABN (which contains the ACN) generally satisfies the requirement.

Q: Do sole traders have an ACN?

No. ACNs only exist for companies. Sole traders operate under their own name with an ABN only.

The Australian Company Number is your company's identity with ASIC. Here's what it does, how it differs from an ABN, and where it has to appear, explained by registered ASIC agents.

The short answer

An ACN (Australian Company Number) is the unique 9-digit number ASIC issues to every company at incorporation. You don't apply for it separately: it arrives automatically when you register your company. To operate, the company also needs an 11-digit ABN, which is normally the ACN with two extra digits in front.

ACN vs ABN

Two numbers, two jobs

	ACN	ABN
Issued by	ASIC, at company registration	ATO / Australian Business Register
Digits	9	11 (for companies: usually ACN + 2-digit prefix)
Who has one	Companies only	Any business entity, including sole traders
What it's for	Identifies the company on the public register and legal documents	Identifies the business for tax, invoicing and GST
Do you apply?	No: automatic at incorporation	Yes: separate (free) application

Good to know

Three ACN facts that save headaches

It must appear on documents

Your ACN (or ABN containing it) belongs on documents lodged with ASIC, official notices and documents the company signs. Getting this wrong is an easy compliance slip.

It's public

Anyone can look up your company by ACN on ASIC's registers: name, status, registered office. Clients and lenders use it to verify you're real, which is part of a company's credibility.

It comes with obligations

An ACN means ASIC knows you exist: annual review fees, up-to-date details and solvency declarations. Our ASIC compliance service keeps all of it handled.

Formal Australian company documents with seal representing an ACN issued by ASIC at incorporation

Paper that matters

Your company identity, in order from day one

ACN issued, registers prepared, documents stored properly: the boring part done brilliantly.

ACN FAQ

Quick answers

What is an ACN?

The Australian Company Number: a unique 9-digit number ASIC issues to every company at incorporation, identifying it on the public register and on key documents.

How do I get an ACN?

Automatically, when your company is registered with ASIC. There's no separate application: registering the company is the process.

Does my company need an ABN too?

Yes, to operate: invoice, register for GST and deal with the ATO. The company's ABN is usually the ACN with a two-digit prefix. See ABN Registration.

Where must the ACN appear?

On documents lodged with ASIC, official company notices and documents the company signs. On invoices, quoting the ABN (which contains the ACN) generally satisfies the requirement.

Do sole traders have an ACN?

No. ACNs exist only for companies. Sole traders operate under their own name with just an ABN. Compare structures in Sole Trader vs Company.

Ready for your company (and its ACN)?

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