Every ABN record in the Australian Business Register contains a standard set of fields. This guide explains what to look at first and how to interpret the key fields when you encounter an ABN record.
Quick reading order
When you look at an ABN record, check these fields in order:
- ABN — The 11-digit identifier at the top
- ABN Status — Active or Cancelled, plus the effective date
- Entity type — Sole trader, company, partnership, trust, or another structure
- Entity name — The main registered name
- Record last updated — When the source data was last refreshed
Once you have these five fields, you know the essentials. The sections below explain each one in more detail.
Core fields
ABN
The 11-digit number that appears at the top of every record. It is the primary key — all other fields on the page relate to this number.
ABN Status
Probably the first thing most people look for. The status shows whether the ABN registration appears active or has been cancelled. Always check the effective date next to the status — it tells you when the status took effect.
For a deeper explanation, see the ABN Status guide.
Entity type
Shows what kind of entity holds the ABN. Whether it is a sole trader, a company, a partnership, or a trust affects how you should read the rest of the record. For example, a sole trader record will show an individual name, while a company record will typically show a registered company name and may include an ASIC number.
More detail in the Entity Type guide.
Entity name
The main registered name. Some records also show trading names or previous names in separate fields below.
Record last updated
The date when the source record was last updated. A recent date means the record likely reflects current information. An older date does not necessarily mean the data is wrong — but it is worth noting.
See the Record Last Updated glossary entry for guidance on interpreting this date.
Other fields worth checking
GST status
Indicates whether the entity appears to be registered for Goods and Services Tax. Useful if you are checking invoicing obligations or monitoring for changes. See the GST Status guide.
Other names
Trading names or former names that appear alongside the main entity name. These can help you identify the entity when the main name alone is not recognisable.
ASIC number
For registered companies, the record may include an ACN (Australian Company Number). This links the ABN to the entity's ASIC company registration. See the ABN vs ACN guide for the difference.
State and postcode
Some records include a state or postcode. This gives geographic context based on the address the entity registered with the ATO.
What an ABN record covers
An ABN record provides the entity's registration status, legal structure, GST registration, key dates, and associated names — drawn from the public dataset. These fields give you a solid foundation for identifying an entity and understanding its registration profile.
For financial, operational, or ownership details beyond public registration data, check the relevant source registries: the ABR for ABN details or ASIC for corporate information.