Australian Business Number (ABN) is require to start a New Business in Australia, to setup sole trader, partnership, company or trust. ABN is important because you have to quote on your invoice, otherwise you may get 46.5% less of your invoice amount from customer. Australian Taxation Office (ATO) made it compulsory to quote ABN in the invoice.
If you are sole trader, you may apply ABN straight away, same for partnership. But if you planning for company type business, then you must need to register company number and company name with Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). Once you get ACN and Company Name, then you are eligible to apply for ABN.
To complete full business process, you may also apply for Business Name through Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), www.asic.gov.au. In addition, Partnership, company and trust require Tax File Number (TFN). Please be advised, you may seek professional advise before start and setup new business structure, to decide which type of business best suits you.
www.auswideabn.com.au is a full service online for ABN Registration, Business Name Registration, TFN Registration, Australian Company Name and Australian Company Number Registration.