API Reference - ABN Registrations

ABN Registrations endpoint. The Business API suite exposes registration, lodgement, lookup and related functions that can be used for a variety of purposes. For the latest release information please check our release notes.

Getting Started
API Documentation
Company Registration ABN Registration Company Deregistration Company Name Change Business Name Registrations Business Name Renewals Registered Agent Cessation Registered Agent Appointment ASIC Form 484 (Company Changes) ASIC Account Transactions Business Accounts PPSR Searches
References

ABN Registrations

Download Postman collection (all entity types)
Endpoint Overview
  • Production
    /api/v2/abn-registration-data
  • Sandbox
    /api/test/v2/abn-registration-data
  • Methods
    POST , GET
  • Agency
    Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

  • Use this endpoint to lodge new Australian Business Number (ABN) registration applications. Use the helpers to check the status of an application or retrieve its entire transmission log. All responses are delivered in JSON format.

Quick links: Initiate Application • Retrieve Application • Update Application • Lodge Application • Application Request • Status

Initiate Application Request

In order to start an ABN application, you will first need to initiate the application using this endpoint. For example, you can post a Json with your form's first step data. In order to be as flexible as possible, at this point we do not validate any data you send, but offer you a secure storage facility for the ABN application data. A POST request to this endpoint will return a JSON response with the request ID.

/api/v2/abn-registration-data
POST
{
    "entityType": "051",
    "entitySubType": "027",
    "otherFieldsInYourApp": "your value"
}

Initiate Application Request Response

{
    "requestId": 12239,
    "status": "received"
}

Retrieve Application Request

In order to retrieve an ABN application, you will need to use this endpoint. A GET request to this endpoint will return a JSON response with the request ID and the all the data that you have provided previously.

/api/v2/abn-registration-data/{requestId}
GET

Retrieve Application Request Response

{
    "requestId": 12239,
    "data": {
        "entityType": "051",
        "entitySubType": "027",
        "otherFieldsInYourApp": "your value",
        "some_other_field": "some value"
    }
}

Update Application Request

In order to update an ABN application, you will need to use this endpoint. You can post a Json with your form's initial data from the previous API call appending the new data. In order to be as flexible as possible, at this point we do not validate any data you send, but offer you a secure storage facility for the ABN application data. A POST request to this endpoint will return a JSON response with the request ID and the status.

/api/v2/abn-registration-data/{requestId}/update
POST
{
    "entityType": "051",
    "entitySubType": "027",
    "otherFieldsInYourApp": "your value",
    "some_other_field": "some value"
}

Update Application Request Response

{
    "requestId": 12239,
    "status": "updated"
}

Lodge Application Request

In order to lodge an ABN application, you will need to use this endpoint. By this point, your payload should be formatted as below. A GET request to this endpoint will return a JSON response with a new request ID and the status.

/api/v2/abn-registration-data/{requestId}/lodge
GET

Lodge Application Request Response

{
    "requestId": 12240,
    "status": "received"
}

Sample ABN Registration Request

One example per top-level entityType. All four are based on real, successfully-accepted ABN registration payloads with identifying details replaced by dummy data - field structure, key order and formatting conventions are preserved exactly as ATO/ABR actually accepted them.

Individual / Sole Trader (entityType 117)

{
    "entityType": "117",
    "entitySubType": "006",
    "entitySubTypeAdditional": null,
    "entitlement": {
        "firstQuestion": "152",
        "outcomeId": 7,
        "outcome": true,
        "questionnaire": [
            { "questionId": 152, "answerId": 336, "nextQuestionId": 139 },
            { "questionId": 139, "answerId": 310, "nextQuestionId": 3 },
            { "questionId": 3, "answerId": 339, "nextQuestionId": 143 },
            { "questionId": 143, "answerId": 318, "nextQuestionId": 0 }
        ]
    },
    "applicant": {
        "individual": {
            "title": "Mr",
            "familyName": "SMITH",
            "givenName": "JOHN",
            "otherGivenName": null,
            "dateOfBirth": "1985-06-15",
            "genderCode": "1"
        },
        "tfn": "000000000"
    },
    "applicationDetail": {
        "tfnIndicator": true,
        "abnApplicationIndicator": true,
        "tfnApplicationIndicator": false
    },
    "applicationReason": {
        "code": "NEW",
        "firstTimeDirectorIndicator": true
    },
    "businessActivity": {
        "code": "7749",
        "description": "Cleaning - commercial (offices, shops, exterior and interior building cleaning, except sand blasting or steam cleaning)",
        "abnStartDate": "2026-09-01",
        "abnEndDate": null,
        "governmentIndicator": false,
        "agriculturalIndicator": false
    },
    "mainAddresses": {
        "business": {
            "line2": null,
            "street": "1 Example Street",
            "locality": "Sample Suburb",
            "state": "QLD",
            "postcode": "4000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "postal": {
            "line2": null,
            "street": "1 Example Street",
            "locality": "Sample Suburb",
            "state": "QLD",
            "postcode": "4000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "businessEmail": "[email protected]",
        "correspondenceEmail": null,
        "businessPhone": "0400000000",
        "sameMainBusinessActivityIndicator": true,
        "businessActivityCode": "7749",
        "businessActivityDescription": "Cleaning - commercial (offices, shops, exterior and interior building cleaning, except sand blasting or steam cleaning)",
        "additionalBusinessLocationsIndicator": false
    },
    "taxationInformation": {
        "nonprofitIndicator": false,
        "incomeTaxExemptionIndicator": false,
        "australianResidentIndicator": true
    },
    "declaration": {
        "fullName": "Mr JOHN SMITH",
        "positionHeld": "DIR",
        "phone": "0400000000",
        "date": "2026-09-01",
        "signatureAcceptanceIndicator": true,
        "signatureText": "Mr JOHN SMITH"
    },
    "authorisedContacts": [
        {
            "title": "Mr",
            "familyName": "SMITH",
            "givenName": "JOHN",
            "positionHeld": "DIR",
            "email": "[email protected]",
            "phone": "0400000000",
            "preferredLanguageCode": "ENG",
            "preferredLanguageOther": null
        }
    ],
    "testTransmissionIndicator": false,
    "postalAddressIndicator": true
}

Company (entityType 051)

{
    "entityType": "051",
    "entitySubType": "027",
    "entitySubTypeAdditional": null,
    "entitlement": {
        "firstQuestion": "20",
        "outcomeId": "20",
        "outcome": "1",
        "questionnaire": [
            { "questionId": "20", "answerId": "44", "nextQuestionId": "0" }
        ]
    },
    "applicant": {
        "organisation": {
            "acn": "000000019",
            "name": "SAMPLE COMPANY PTY LTD"
        }
    },
    "applicationDetail": {
        "tfnIndicator": "0",
        "abnApplicationIndicator": "1",
        "tfnApplicationIndicator": "1"
    },
    "applicationReason": {
        "code": "NEW",
        "firstTimeDirectorIndicator": "0"
    },
    "businessActivity": {
        "code": "6419",
        "description": "Cosmetics retailing - direct selling",
        "abnStartDate": "2026-09-01",
        "governmentIndicator": "0",
        "agriculturalIndicator": "0"
    },
    "taxationInformation": {
        "nonprofitIndicator": "0",
        "incomeTaxExemptionIndicator": "0",
        "australianResidentIndicator": "1"
    },
    "mainAddresses": {
        "business": {
            "line2": "UNIT 1",
            "street": "1 EXAMPLE STREET",
            "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
            "state": "NSW",
            "postcode": "2000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "postal": {
            "line2": null,
            "street": "PO BOX 1",
            "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
            "state": "NSW",
            "postcode": "2000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "businessEmail": "[email protected]",
        "correspondenceEmail": "[email protected]",
        "businessPhone": "0400000000",
        "sameMainBusinessActivityIndicator": "1",
        "businessActivityCode": "6419",
        "businessActivityDescription": "Cosmetics retailing - direct selling",
        "additionalBusinessLocationsIndicator": "0"
    },
    "associates": {
        "individuals": [
            {
                "familyName": "SMITH",
                "givenName": "JOHN",
                "otherGivenName": null,
                "dateOfBirth": "1980-01-01",
                "positionHeld": ["POF"],
                "tfn": "000000000",
                "line2": null,
                "street": "1 EXAMPLE STREET",
                "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
                "state": "NSW",
                "postcode": "2000",
                "countryCode": "AU"
            },
            {
                "familyName": "DOE",
                "givenName": "JANE",
                "otherGivenName": null,
                "dateOfBirth": "1982-05-10",
                "positionHeld": ["DIR"],
                "tfn": "000000000",
                "line2": null,
                "street": "1 EXAMPLE STREET",
                "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
                "state": "NSW",
                "postcode": "2000",
                "countryCode": "AU"
            }
        ],
        "organisations": [
            {
                "name": "SAMPLE HOLDINGS PTY LTD",
                "acn": "000000019",
                "incorporationDate": "2020-01-01",
                "positionHeld": ["CSH"],
                "tfn": "000000000",
                "line2": null,
                "street": "2 EXAMPLE STREET",
                "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
                "state": "NSW",
                "postcode": "2000",
                "countryCode": "AU"
            }
        ]
    },
    "taxRegistrations": {
        "gst": {
            "registrationStartDate": "2026-09-01",
            "turnoverRangeCode": "$0 - $74,999",
            "lodgementFrequencyCode": "Annually",
            "reasonCode": "Voluntary",
            "cashAccountingIndicator": "1",
            "importIndicator": "0"
        }
    },
    "authorisedContacts": [
        {
            "familyName": "SMITH",
            "givenName": "JOHN",
            "otherGivenName": null,
            "email": "[email protected]",
            "phone": "0400000000",
            "positionHeld": "POF",
            "line2": null,
            "street": "1 EXAMPLE STREET",
            "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
            "state": "NSW",
            "postcode": "2000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        }
    ],
    "declaration": {
        "fullName": "JOHN SMITH",
        "positionHeld": "POF",
        "email": "[email protected]",
        "phone": "0400000000",
        "date": "2026-09-01",
        "signatureAcceptanceIndicator": "1",
        "signatureText": "JOHN SMITH"
    }
}

Partnership (entityType 161)

{
    "entityType": "161",
    "entitySubType": "150",
    "entitySubTypeAdditional": null,
    "entitlement": {
        "firstQuestion": 153,
        "outcomeId": 7,
        "outcome": true,
        "questionnaire": [
            { "questionId": 153, "answerId": 366, "nextQuestionId": 140 },
            { "questionId": 140, "answerId": 312, "nextQuestionId": 14 },
            { "questionId": 14, "answerId": 345, "nextQuestionId": 144 },
            { "questionId": 144, "answerId": 320, "nextQuestionId": 0 }
        ]
    },
    "applicant": {
        "individual": {
            "title": "Mr",
            "familyName": "SMITH",
            "givenName": "JOHN",
            "otherGivenName": null,
            "dateOfBirth": "1985-06-15",
            "genderCode": "1"
        },
        "tfn": null
    },
    "applicationDetail": {
        "tfnIndicator": false,
        "abnApplicationIndicator": true,
        "tfnApplicationIndicator": false
    },
    "applicationReason": {
        "code": "NEW",
        "firstTimeDirectorIndicator": true,
        "firstTimeSelfEmployedIndicator": true
    },
    "businessActivity": {
        "code": "5975",
        "description": "Mobile homes or cabins retailing",
        "abnStartDate": "2026-09-01",
        "abnEndDate": null,
        "governmentIndicator": false,
        "agriculturalIndicator": false
    },
    "taxationInformation": {
        "nonprofitIndicator": false,
        "incomeTaxExemptionIndicator": false,
        "australianResidentIndicator": true
    },
    "mainAddresses": {
        "business": {
            "line2": null,
            "street": "1 Example Street",
            "locality": "Sample Suburb",
            "state": "VIC",
            "postcode": "3000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "postal": {
            "line2": null,
            "street": "1 Example Street",
            "locality": "Sample Suburb",
            "state": "VIC",
            "postcode": "3000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "businessEmail": "[email protected]",
        "correspondenceEmail": null,
        "businessPhone": "0400000000",
        "sameMainBusinessActivityIndicator": true,
        "businessActivityCode": "5975",
        "businessActivityDescription": "Mobile homes or cabins retailing",
        "additionalBusinessLocationsIndicator": false
    },
    "additionalAddresses": [],
    "associates": {
        "individuals": [
            {
                "title": "Mr",
                "familyName": "SMITH",
                "givenName": "JOHN",
                "otherGivenName": null,
                "dateOfBirth": "1985-06-15",
                "genderCode": "1",
                "positionHeld": ["PTN"],
                "tfn": "000000000",
                "line2": null,
                "street": "1 Example Street",
                "locality": "Sample Suburb",
                "state": "VIC",
                "postcode": "3000",
                "countryCode": "AU",
                "tfnIndicator": true
            },
            {
                "title": "Mrs",
                "familyName": "SMITH",
                "givenName": "JANE",
                "otherGivenName": null,
                "dateOfBirth": "1987-02-20",
                "genderCode": "2",
                "positionHeld": ["PTN"],
                "tfn": "000000000",
                "line2": null,
                "street": "1 Example Street",
                "locality": "Sample Suburb",
                "state": "VIC",
                "postcode": "3000",
                "countryCode": "AU",
                "tfnIndicator": true
            }
        ],
        "other": {
            "legalRepresentativeIndicator": false
        }
    },
    "taxRegistrationIndicator": {
        "gst": false,
        "paygw": false
    },
    "declaration": {
        "fullName": "Mr JOHN SMITH",
        "positionHeld": "PTN",
        "phone": "0400000000",
        "date": "2026-09-01",
        "signatureAcceptanceIndicator": true,
        "signatureText": "Mr JOHN SMITH"
    },
    "authorisedContacts": [
        {
            "title": "Mr",
            "familyName": "SMITH",
            "givenName": "JOHN",
            "positionHeld": "PTN",
            "email": "[email protected]",
            "phone": "0400000000",
            "preferredLanguageCode": "ENG",
            "preferredLanguageOther": null
        }
    ],
    "postalAddressIndicator": true,
    "testTransmissionIndicator": false
}

Trust (entityType 212)

{
    "entityType": "212",
    "entitySubType": "071",
    "entitySubTypeAdditional": "CHT",
    "entitlement": {
        "firstQuestion": "134",
        "outcomeId": "7",
        "outcome": "1",
        "questionnaire": [
            { "questionId": "134", "answerId": "297", "nextQuestionId": "155" },
            { "questionId": "155", "answerId": "374", "nextQuestionId": "142" },
            { "questionId": "142", "answerId": "316", "nextQuestionId": "124" },
            { "questionId": "124", "answerId": "357", "nextQuestionId": "146" },
            { "questionId": "146", "answerId": "324", "nextQuestionId": "0" }
        ]
    },
    "applicant": {
        "organisation": {
            "name": "SAMPLE FAMILY TRUST"
        }
    },
    "applicationDetail": {
        "tfnIndicator": "0",
        "abnApplicationIndicator": "1",
        "tfnApplicationIndicator": "1"
    },
    "applicationReason": {
        "code": "INV",
        "firstTimeDirectorIndicator": "1"
    },
    "businessActivity": {
        "code": "7380",
        "description": "Property investment - as owner or sub-leaser of non-residential property (e.g. commercial, industrial)",
        "abnStartDate": "2026-09-01",
        "governmentIndicator": "0",
        "agriculturalIndicator": "1"
    },
    "taxationInformation": {
        "nonprofitIndicator": "0",
        "incomeTaxExemptionIndicator": "0",
        "taxAgentIdentifier": "00000000",
        "australianResidentIndicator": "1"
    },
    "mainAddresses": {
        "business": {
            "line2": "SUITE 1",
            "street": "1 SAMPLE ROAD",
            "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
            "state": "VIC",
            "postcode": "3000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "postal": {
            "line2": "SUITE 1",
            "street": "1 SAMPLE ROAD",
            "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
            "state": "VIC",
            "postcode": "3000",
            "countryCode": "AU"
        },
        "businessEmail": "[email protected]",
        "correspondenceEmail": "[email protected]",
        "businessPhone": "0400000000",
        "sameMainBusinessActivityIndicator": "1",
        "businessActivityCode": "7380",
        "businessActivityDescription": "Property investment - as owner or sub-leaser of non-residential property (e.g. commercial, industrial)",
        "additionalBusinessLocationsIndicator": "0"
    },
    "associates": {
        "individuals": [
            {
                "familyName": "SMITH",
                "givenName": "JOHN",
                "otherGivenName": null,
                "dateOfBirth": "1980-01-01",
                "positionHeld": ["TRB"],
                "tfn": "000000000",
                "street": "2 SAMPLE STREET",
                "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
                "state": "VIC",
                "postcode": "3000",
                "countryCode": "AU"
            }
        ],
        "organisations": [
            {
                "name": "SAMPLE TRUSTEE PTY LTD",
                "acn": "000000019",
                "incorporationDate": "2020-01-01",
                "positionHeld": ["TRT"],
                "line2": "SUITE 1",
                "street": "1 SAMPLE ROAD",
                "locality": "SAMPLE SUBURB",
                "state": "VIC",
                "postcode": "3000",
                "countryCode": "AU"
            }
        ]
    },
    "taxRegistrations": {
        "gst": {
            "registrationStartDate": "2026-09-01",
            "turnoverRangeCode": "$0 - $74,999",
            "lodgementFrequencyCode": "Monthly",
            "reasonCode": "Voluntary",
            "cashAccountingIndicator": "1",
            "importIndicator": "0"
        }
    },
    "authorisedContacts": [
        {
            "familyName": "SMITH",
            "givenName": "JOHN",
            "otherGivenName": null,
            "email": "[email protected]",
            "phone": "0400000000",
            "positionHeld": "Director"
        }
    ],
    "declaration": {
        "fullName": "JOHN SMITH",
        "positionHeld": "Director",
        "date": "2026-09-01",
        "signatureAcceptanceIndicator": "1",
        "signatureText": "JOHN SMITH"
    }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the valid entityType / entitySubType values?
The five supported top-level types are 117 (individual/sole trader, subtype 006), 051 (company, use this for companies), 161 (partnership, subtype 087 family partnership or 150 other partnership), 212 (trust, several subtypes e.g. 071 discretionary trading trust), and 210 (superannuation fund). Trap to watch for: a Limited Partnership is not entityType 161 - it's entityType 051 (company) with subtype 120.
How do partnership associates work - what's the structure, and what fields are required?
There is no field called partners - every entity type, partnerships included, uses associates.individuals[] and associates.organisations[]. For a partnership, every associate needs positionHeld: ["PTN"]. Each associate needs either a tfn or a full street address - not both.
  • Individual associate: familyName, givenName, dateOfBirth, positionHeld, and (tfn or address).
  • Company associate: name, positionHeld, and (incorporationDate/tfn or address) - acn/arbn/abn are all individually optional.
Is associate email required?
No - there is no email field on an individual or company associate record at all. Email only appears elsewhere on the payload, e.g. mainAddresses.businessEmail/correspondenceEmail and authorisedContacts[].email.
Minimum or maximum number of associates for a partnership?
Minimum 2 combined across individuals and organisations. No maximum.
For a company registration, is both ABN and ACN required?
This endpoint registers the ABN itself, so there's no separate "ABN required" field for entityType 051 - what's required is applicant.organisation.acn (the company must already have an ACN before it can apply for an ABN here).

ABN Registration Status Request & Response

A GET request to this endpoint will return a JSON reponse.

/api/v2/status/{requestId}
GET
{
    "requestId": 12239,
    "status": "finished",
    "referenceNumber": "8810120556472",
    "info": {
        "entityName": "MY DEMO COMPANY PTY LTD",
        "abn": "33612302303",
        "abnStartDate": "20210630",
        "abnEndDate": "",
        "dateOfAbnRegistration": "20210630",
        "taxRegistrations": {
            "gstRegistrationDate": "20210630",
            "paygRegistrationDate": "20210630"
        }
    }
}