10/06/2026
Warning ⚠️ - please check ABNs (Australian Business Numbers) if you're in Australia! I admin Hawkesbury Local Business Facebook group and I'm amazed at how many people have cancelled ABNs and are operating blissfully unaware.
Use ABR.business.gov.au
1. Check your own ABN shows as active, and check also your business name(s) are correct and connected*, GST status is correct and your location is correct. If not please fix anything URGENTLY.
2. Diary your next business name renewal, and if you're moving soon, 'add update ASIC/ABR' on your to-do list. Also not all emails are scams! Pay attention to warnings.
3. Check suppliers have valid active ABNs and registered business names where needed, and their GST status is what you expect. Any issues, please contact them and let them know. If they have no ABN, and have not issued you a valid "Statement by a Supplier" you need to withhold part of the payment at the highest marginal tax rate, referred to as 'no ABN withholding'.
4. Note issues with ABN and registered business names can result in cancelled insurances, yes even your home insurance, due to 'illegal activities'. That's on top of fines, GST issues and more.
* Note trading names are not valid and have been replaced with registered business names. A $9900 fee can apply for not registering business names when needed by law. Occasionally some (especially old partnerships pre 2012) do have registered business names that can only be seen on ASIC Connect Online. If it's yours, you can ask them to fix the glitch so it appears on the ABR too.
Do you do these checks? Do you realise now the implications of not doing these checks? 👍 if you will check now!