ABN Look Up: The Essential Guide to Verifying Australian Businesses

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Key Takeaways

• ABN Look Up is Australia’s core business verification platform, crucial for compliance, fraud prevention, and trusted business transactions.
• You can check the legitimacy of any business using their ABN, ACN, or business name—helpful for suppliers, contractors, and agencies.
• Trading names are being phased out; after November 1, 2025, only registered business names will be displayed.
• Integration, multi-search, and real-time updates make ABN Look Up powerful for accounting, procurement, and the tax agent portal workflow.
• Keeping ABN information up-to-date is a business’s responsibility and is crucial for valid ATO tax compliance.

Why ABN Look Up Matters for Every Australian Business Transaction

In today’s fast-paced business environment, knowing who you’re dealing with is crucial for protecting yourself and your organisation. ABN Look Up provides this vital service, offering transparency into the legitimacy of any registered business entity. This tool is fundamental to business verification in Australia, processing over a billion searches annually and serving as a key defence against fraudulent operations. Reference

ABN Look Up empowers small business owners, tax professionals, ATO agents, and contractors when engaging new suppliers, clients, or partners. It’s also essential for ATO tax agent portal users, streamlining compliance checks and real-time verification for the ATO portal workflow.

What Is ABN Look Up?

ABN Look Up is a free public service from the Australian government, providing instant access to business registration details for any entity with an ABN. You can search by ABN, ACN, or business name, accessing information directly from the Australian Business Register (ABR). Reference

The database is maintained by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and is publicly accessible via the ABR Website. Its role in tax agent portal ATO processes and ATO compliance is vital, with seamless integration into ATO agent portal and ATO tax agent workflows.

Key Features of ABN Look Up

• Comprehensive Search Options: Search using ABN (11 digits), ACN, business name, or (until Nov 2025) trading name.
• Real-Time, Accurate Information: The ABR database is constantly updated, ensuring every search reflects the current business status.
• Bulk Multi-Search: ABN Look Up allows verification of numerous ABNs simultaneously, beneficial for accounting, compliance, and supplier onboarding teams.
• Integration Capabilities: Web APIs enable seamless integration with various systems, including practice management suites and the tax agent portal.
• Contractor & Supplier Verification: Quickly confirm tax/GST status before engaging with contractors or suppliers, ensuring ATO compliance.

Important Changes to ABN Look Up

Trading names will be removed from ABN Look Up on November 1, 2025. Only official business names registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will be displayed. This means businesses should:

• Inform stakeholders of upcoming changes.
• Register a business name with ASIC if currently using a trading name. Register your business name here
• Update all relevant documentation (contracts, invoices, marketing materials, and ATO records).

This change enhances transparency for all users, including the tax agent portal and ATO portal users, and standardises business naming conventions across Australia.

Benefits of Using ABN Look Up

• Fraud Prevention: Identify non-existent, cancelled, or unregistered suppliers, mitigating risks of scams and invalid tax claims.
  “Trust, but verify—always use ABN Look Up first.” Reference
• Regulatory Compliance: Essential for BAS agents, ATO tax agents, and businesses requiring valid GST/tax withholdings. Reference
• Streamlined Administration: Auto-populates business information, minimises errors, and accelerates ATO portal submissions. Improves efficiency in digital onboarding and supplier setup. Reference

How to Use ABN Look Up Effectively

• Step 1: Access the Service
  Visit ABN Look Up directly, or use integrated verification through platforms like the ATO tax agent portal or accounting software. Reference
• Step 2: Enter Search Criteria
  Using the ABN provides the most accurate results; ACN and business name searches are also options.
• Step 3: Review Status Indicators
  Active: Valid and operational; Cancelled: ABN is invalid; Does Not Exist: No match found; Not Verified: Further checks are required. Reference
• Step 4: Scrutinize the Details
  Check the registered name, registration date, location, ABN status, entity type (company, trust, sole trader), and GST registration status.
• Step 5: Utilise Auto-Population
  Entering an ABN/ACN often auto-fills business details in digital forms, saving time and reducing errors within the tax agent portal ATO and other ATO online services. Reference

Maintaining ABN Information: Your Responsibilities

Maintaining accurate ABN information is crucial for the reliability of the ABN Look Up database. Businesses must:

• Update details (location, activity, structure, contacts) within 28 days of any change.
• Update or cancel your ABN promptly if you cease trading or change your business structure.
• Ensure your main business activity and GST registration status are accurate.

Failure to comply may result in ABN cancellation and ATO tax penalties. Accurate information ensures the system’s integrity for all users, including ATO tax agents and the public. Reference

FAQ

• What is the quickest way to verify a business on ABN Look Up?

  
  Enter the business’s ABN at ABN Look Up for immediate results.
  

• Can I bulk verify ABNs for multiple suppliers using the ATO portal?

  
  Yes, ABN Look Up offers multi-search functionality. Many accounting and tax agent portal systems also provide this capability.
  

• Why is trading name removal important for ATO tax compliance?

  
  After November 2025, only registered business names will be shown. Businesses using trading names must update their records accordingly to maintain compliance.
  

• What are the risks if my ABN information is out of date in ABN Look Up?

  
  Outdated information can lead to ATO penalties, payment delays, and lost business opportunities. It can also impact your ATO agent portal access and potentially result in ABN cancellation.
  

• Which ATO online services integrate with ABN Look Up for faster business checks?

  
  The core ATO tax agent portal, ATO portal, and myGov services integrate with ABN Look Up for streamlined verification.