| Service | Who needs it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ABN Registration | Individuals, partnerships, and companies | $149 |
| GST Registration | Required if turnover exceeds $75,000, or to claim GST credits | $29 (add-on) |
| PAYG Withholding | Required if you employ staff or pay contractors | $29 (add-on) |
| Business Name (1 year) | Trade under a name other than your legal name | $149 (add-on) |
| Business Name (3 years) | Trade under a name other than your legal name | $199 (add-on) |
GST, PAYG, and Business Name registrations are available as add-ons during your ABN application. They cannot be purchased separately.
An Australian Business Number (ABN) is required by anyone carrying on a business or enterprise in Australia. It identifies your business to the ATO, allows you to invoice other businesses without tax being withheld, and is a prerequisite for most other business registrations. ABN registration covers individuals (sole traders), partnerships, and companies.
GST registration is mandatory if your annual business turnover meets or exceeds $75,000. Once registered, you must charge 10% GST on your taxable sales and lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) with the ATO. In return, you can claim back GST included in your business expenses. Many businesses choose to register for GST voluntarily before reaching the threshold, particularly when their customers are other businesses.
PAYG (Pay As You Go) Withholding registration is required if you have employees or if you pay contractors who have not quoted an ABN. Once registered, you are responsible for withholding a portion of each payment and remitting it to the ATO. This is reported through your BAS and reconciled at the end of the financial year. Without registration, you may be personally liable for amounts that should have been withheld.
A business name registration is required if you intend to trade under any name other than your own legal name (for sole traders) or your company's registered name. Business names are registered with ASIC and appear on the national Business Names Register. Registration is available for a one-year or three-year term. Note that registering a business name does not give you exclusive rights to that name — trademark registration through IP Australia is separate.