Do I need an ABN to start a business?
Written by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo, the founders of Urban Media, Melbourne. Updated .
Short answer: not everyone needs one, but if you are running a business you almost always want one, and it is free. This guide covers what an ABN is, when it matters and the order to do things in.
It is general information, not legal or tax advice, and it was checked against business.gov.au on 11 October 2026. Confirm on the official page before you act.
What an ABN is
An Australian Business Number identifies your business to the government and to the people you deal with. It does not replace your tax file number, and it is not a business name or a trade mark.
When you need one
business.gov.au says not everyone needs an ABN, and that to get one you need to be running a business or other enterprise. It lists what an ABN is used for:
- Verifying your business when you order and invoice.
- Avoiding PAYG tax withholding on payments you receive.
- Claiming GST credits.
- Getting an .au domain name.
What it costs
Registering for an ABN through the Australian Business Register is free. If a website asks you to pay to register one, you are on the wrong site. Start at abr.gov.au or business.gov.au.
What to do around it
- Decide your structure first (sole trader, partnership, company or trust).
- Check your business name is free before you commit to it.
- Apply for the ABN. Trading under a name other than your own also needs a business name registered with ASIC.
- Check whether you need to register for GST, which depends on your turnover.
- Then build the brand and the website on a name you know is safe.
Where Urban Launch fits
The registrations are yours to do, ideally with an accountant. Once they are done, Urban Launch builds what goes on top, in order, by one Melbourne team: brand, website, content and systems.
Official sources
This guide was checked against these official pages on 11 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the source before you rely on a detail.
More guides for new businesses
- Logo or website first for a new business
- What to do after registering an ABN
- New business launch checklist, Melbourne
- How to name a business in Australia
- Business name vs company name in Australia
- Do I need a website for a small business
- What is a brand identity for a small business
- Brand guidelines for a small business
- How to get your first customers as a new business
- Google Business Profile for a new business
- How much a new business should spend on ads
- Website checklist before you launch a small business site
- What photos a new business needs
- Landing page or website for ads
- Social media profiles for a new business
- How to start a business in Melbourne
- How to start a clothing brand in Australia
- How to register a brand name in Australia
- Sole trader or company in Australia
- Do I need to register for GST
- How to choose a .com.au domain name
- How to get a logo for a new business
- Business email for a new business
- Privacy policy for a small business website in Australia
- What to post on social media when you start a business
- Setting up a business in Victoria
All of them are on the guides page.
Who is behind this
Urban Launch is built and run by Urban Media (ABN 28 169 446 902), a Melbourne studio founded by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo. Urban Media makes video, design and websites for clients including Box Hill United, Brighton Grammar and Porsche Club Victoria.
If you want to talk to the people doing the work, call 0456 785 904. More about who we are, and how to check us, is on the About page.
Common questions
- Is an ABN free?
- Yes. Registering for an ABN through the Australian Business Register is free.
- Do I need an ABN to get a .com.au domain?
- An ABN is one of the things business.gov.au lists as needed to get an .au domain name. Check the registrar's current requirements for the exact domain you want.
- Is an ABN the same as registering a business name?
- No. An ABN identifies your business to government. A business name is registered separately with ASIC if you trade under a name other than your own.
- Does an ABN replace my tax file number?
- No. An ABN does not replace your tax file number.
Start with a Launch Call
Live and generating enquiries within 45 days, or we keep working at no extra cost until you are. The Launch Call is where we check it is the right fit before we book anything in. For a real example, read the Airwize case study (12 conversions, meaning leads that became sales, in the first month of Google Ads from $70 of ad spend, our figures). You can also read how a launch package compares with hiring separately, or go to the packages and prices on the homepage.
More: Brand and website package, Melbourne, Startup package for a new business, Melbourne, Branding, website and photography package, Melbourne.