Futureproofed Workshop #16: ABN Roundtable
ABN suppression is a safety tactic for workers registering their business in Australia
Disclaimer: Please note this workshop originally contained information on the process of suppressing your ABN that cannot be shared publicly for the safety of the sex work community. Please send a request to info@biggersisterchannel.com.au verifying that you are a sex worker (such as providing links to advertisements or socials) if you would like this information.
For this futureproofed workshop, we’re going to breakdown ABNs.
Firstly, what is an ABN?
The ABR website defines an ABN as: ‘the Australian Business Number (ABN) enables businesses in Australia to deal with a range of government departments and agencies using a single identification number.’
The ABN is a public number which does not replace your tax file number.
ABN registration details become part of the Australian Business Register (ABR) which the ATO maintains on behalf of the Commonwealth. You can access the publicly available information contained in the ABR through the ABN Lookup website.
How much does it cost to get an ABN?
An ABN is free.
How do you apply for an ABN?
You can apply for an ABN online at the Australia Business Register Website.
Is your ABN public info?
Yes, your ABN can be looked up at any time via the ABN Lookup website. However, this can be suppressed.
Do you have to list your ABN as a sex worker?
Technically, no. You can run three businesses under one ABN and there are different types of sex work that do not require an ABN. It is best to speak to a qualified accountant about this.
What questions are you asked for when you apply for an ABN?
Are you a sole trader?
Are you running a business?
Do you have a Tax File Number?
Do you have an accountant?
You will need 100 points of Identification. An ABN application is free and instant!
Once you have an ABN it is searchable via the public ABR register.
Getting a business name
Once you have your ABN, what is the next step to suppressing your ABN?
Step 1: Get a business name. As a result of doing this your details will be searchable through the public register of ASIC. You will later suppress these details.
Step 2: How much? The cost of registering your business name with ASIC is $44 for 1 year or $102 for 3 years.
Step 3: How do you register a business name? What information do you need to provide?*
Name and contact details of the applicant
Address and contact details of the business or organisation
Details of each person or organisation associated with the business (e.g partner, director, secretary or shareholder)
Tax agent number (if you wish to use an agent)
Proposed business name (you can apply for up to five names per application)
Business name transfer number (if buying an existing business)
Credit card details (Please note that we only accept Visa and Mastercard)
*This information is from the Business Registration Services website.
Suppressing Your ABN
Once you’ve got your ABN, it’s time to suppress your details. To do this you must fill in a form.
Some things to keep in mind are:
There can be downsides to suppressing your detail. It can make banking and securing credit cards for your business more complicated. As all your details are hidden.
Please note this advice is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal or financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified legal and financial professional with any questions you may have regarding the steps it takes to suppress your information.
The remaining information on the process of suppressing your ABN includes details that cannot be shared publicly for the safety of the sex work community. Please send a request to info@biggersisterchanne.com.au with your SW verifying info (links to advertisements or socials) to be sent the slides.
About the presenter
Our roundtable workshops don’t have presenters. Instead they are facilitated by our Workshop Presenter, Rain Morgan. Rain curates slides based on technical experience, research, peer submissions and available community information. Then this fosters a open interactive workshop where peers can share knowledge, tips, and resources.