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ABN (Australian Business Number)

An ABN (Australian Business Number) is an 11-digit identifier issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to businesses operating in Australia. It is used for tax, invoicing, and business identification and is a key requirement when applying for Business Loans, Vehicle Finance, Equipment & Asset Finance and Low Doc Asset Finance.

Why ABN Matters for Business Finance

Lenders treat your ABN as a core identity check for your business. It confirms that you are genuinely trading and helps them connect your history with tax records, GST registration and trading history. Without a valid ABN, most lenders will not consider you for Working Capital Loans, a Business Line of Credit or Invoice Finance.

  • Identifies your business to the ATO and other agencies.
  • Required for GST registration and issuing tax invoices.
  • Allows suppliers and customers to verify your business details.
  • Essential when applying for Low Doc, No Doc and full-doc business lending.

If you are a tradie, truckie, café owner or medical professional running your own practice, your ABN is the starting point for building finance options through the Tradie Hub, Truckie Hub, Café Hub and Whitecoat Hub.

How ABNs Work in Practice

  • You apply for an ABN online via the Australian Business Register or through a registered tax/BAS agent.
  • Once issued, your ABN is linked to your business structure (sole trader, partnership, company or trust).
  • Lenders and government agencies use your ABN to verify your business status and trading history.
  • Your ABN appears on invoices, contracts, finance applications and your key business registrations (e.g. GST).

In business lending, your ABN often works alongside other low-doc indicators such as Low Doc, No Doc, Pre-Approval and Low Doc car loans with ABN and no tax returns.

Related Switchboard Finance Resources

For official government information about ABNs and registrations, visit business.gov.au.

Who needs an ABN?
Any Australian entity carrying on an enterprise – including sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts – will generally need an ABN if they are invoicing, claiming GST credits or running a business.
Is an ABN required for business finance?
In most cases, yes. Lenders use your ABN to verify that you are genuinely trading and to match up supporting documents for Low Doc Asset Finance, Business Loans and other credit facilities.
How do I apply for an ABN?
You can apply online through the Australian Business Register via business.gov.au, or work with your accountant, tax agent or BAS agent to register correctly for your structure.