Look up a company by number

    ACN number search (Australia)

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Australia

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    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: ABR

    How do I look up a company by its registration number in Australia?

    Use the exact ACN with its issuing jurisdiction or register on ABR. Compare the returned legal name and identifier. A valid-looking number does not guarantee a result: coverage, formatting, access and source availability affect the lookup.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the ACN on the paperwork

      The ACN normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.

    2. 2

      Search the ACN

      Preserve leading zeros, letters, court and jurisdiction information. Follow the source's documented format rather than removing meaningful parts to force a match.

    3. 3

      Confirm the returned entity

      Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.

    4. 4

      Verify at ABR

      For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://abr.business.gov.au.

      https://abr.business.gov.au
    Open ABRAll Australia records

    Australia: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Use ABN Lookup for ABN status, entity name and GST information. Use ASIC for company and business-name registrations and company extracts. These services answer different questions; an ABN entry is not a company extract.
    Confirm the entity
    An ABN has 11 digits; an ACN has nine. Compare the legal entity name rather than just a business name. ABNs can identify sole traders and other non-company entities, so do not assume every result has directors.

    Check current access and document options on the official ASIC / Australian Business Register site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Australia registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a ACN in Australia?

    It is the identifier ABR assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.

    Is a ACN lookup free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Check ABR's official access rules for the record or document required.

    What if the ACN returns no result?

    Check the format, issuing jurisdiction, coverage and source availability. Preserve meaningful prefixes and leading zeros. An unavailable source is not a confirmed absence; ask the counterparty to clarify the identifier.

    Should I use the ACN or the company name?

    The ACN. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.

    What is an ABN?

    An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit unique identifier issued to all entities registered in the Australian Business Register. It's used for tax, GST, and business-to-business transactions. You can search for any ABN for free at abr.business.gov.au.

    People also ask about look up a company by its registration number in Australia

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Australia company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the ASIC / Australian Business Register are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Australia business registry?

    The ASIC / Australian Business Register is the official public register of companies incorporated in Australia. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://abr.business.gov.au.

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