Select your business structure

The structure you select determines the information required in your application.

Individual / Sole Trader

Individual / Sole Trader

You operate alone. You and the business are the same legal entity, so liability rests with you personally.

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Partnership

Partnership

Two or more people carrying on business together, sharing profits and liability.

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Company

Company

A separate legal entity, with obligations attaching to the company rather than to you personally.

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What the process involves

1
Complete the application Approximately five to ten minutes. You will need your tax file number, date of birth, residential address and a description of the business activity.
2
Review and lodgement A registered tax agent reads it against what the ATO expects to see, then submits it under our agent registration.
3
Confirmation by email Generally within one business day. Your ABN is emailed to you as soon as the ATO issues it, and we notify you if your application has been referred for manual review.

Where the ATO raises a query — identity details that cannot be verified, or information it requires in more detail — we contact you with the specific question and correspond with the ATO on your behalf. Applications may be lodged directly through the Australian Business Register at no charge; our fee covers the review and lodgement of the application by a registered tax agent.