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How to get an ABN for your trade business

By Yamate · Last updated June 2026

The short answer: apply for an ABN for free through the Australian Business Register at abr.gov.au. If your details check out it's often issued instantly online; sometimes it's reviewed and takes a few days. You'll want it before you start invoicing customers.

An ABN — Australian Business Number — is the 11-digit number that identifies your business to the government and to your customers. As a tradie working for yourself, you need one. It goes on your quotes and invoices, and without it, business customers may have to withhold nearly half your payment (more on that below).

Do tradies need an ABN?

If you're running a business — quoting jobs, invoicing customers, working for yourself — yes. An ABN is for people carrying on an enterprise, which a tradie doing paid jobs clearly is. (It's free, so there's no reason not to.) It's separate from your Tax File Number, which you keep as an individual.

How to apply (free, step by step)

  1. Go to the Australian Business Register at abr.gov.au and start an ABN application (it's also offered through the government's Business Registration Service, where you can grab an ABN and register a business name at the same time).
  2. Have your Tax File Number handy, plus your personal details and when your business activity starts.
  3. Answer the questions about your business — as a tradie you'll typically apply as a sole trader.
  4. Submit. If everything verifies, your ABN is issued on the spot; if it needs a manual review, you'll get it within a couple of weeks.

It is free. If a website wants to charge you a fee to "get your ABN", you're on the wrong (third-party) site — go direct to abr.gov.au.

⚠️ The no-ABN trap. If you supply goods or services to another business and don't quote an ABN, they may be required to withhold 47% of the payment and send it to the ATO. That's a big reason to have your ABN sorted before your first invoice.

ABN vs GST vs business name — they're different things

  • ABN — identifies your business. Free. You need it to invoice properly.
  • GST registration — separate. Only required once your turnover hits $75k (see do I need to register for GST?). You can have an ABN without being GST-registered.
  • Business name — if you trade under a name that isn't your own (e.g. "Dave's Electrical"), you register that separately (a small annual fee). Trading under your own personal name doesn't need a registered business name.

Put your ABN on every job

Once you've got it, your ABN should appear on every quote and invoice. Yamate stores it once and adds it to everything automatically — or use the free invoice generator for a one-off.

Set your ABN once in Yamate — on every quote & invoice →

FAQ

How much does an ABN cost?

Nothing — applying for an ABN through the Australian Business Register is free. Only third-party sites charge a fee; go direct to abr.gov.au.

How long does it take to get an ABN?

Often instantly online if your identity and details verify. If it's flagged for review, it can take up to around two weeks.

Do I need an ABN and a TFN?

Yes — your TFN is your personal tax file number; your ABN identifies your business. As a sole trader you use both.

Can I invoice without an ABN?

You can, but business customers may have to withhold 47% of the payment, so it's best to have your ABN before you start invoicing.

Related

Do I need to register for GST? · How much tax to put aside

Free invoice generator GST calculator

General information for Australian sole traders, not tax or legal advice. Check current requirements at abr.gov.au and business.gov.au. Last updated June 2026.