ABN, business name and company: what’s the difference?
Last reviewed 2026-07-17
ABN, business name and company are three different things. Many new business owners mix them up.
ABN (Australian Business Number)
A unique number that identifies your business to government and other businesses. It’s free to apply for and most businesses need one to invoice, register for GST and deal with the ATO.
Australian Business Register — Apply for an ABN
Business name
The name you trade under. If it’s not your own personal name, you generally must register it with ASIC. Registering a business name does not give you exclusive rights — that’s a trade mark.
ASIC — Register a business name
Company
A separate legal entity registered with ASIC (e.g. Pty Ltd). It offers limited liability but comes with more cost, reporting and director responsibilities. A company has its own ABN and can register business names.
How they fit together
- Sole trader: your personal name + ABN, plus a business name if you use a trading name.
- Company: register the company, get its ABN, then register any trading names.