It generally takes about 10 minutes to get an Australian Business Number (ABN) if applying online and all your information is correct. You typically receive your ABN immediately after submitting the application. However, if manual verification is required due to incomplete or inaccurate information, it can take up to 28 days for the ABN to be issued. After approval, confirmation is sent within 14 days, and the ABN usually appears on the official ABN Lookup website within 24 to 48 hours. If the application is approved immediately, the ABN can be used right away for business purposes. If a future start date was chosen, then the ABN becomes active only from that date. In summary, for a smooth and fast process, online application with accurate information will result in nearly immediate receipt of the ABN, while delays for manual reviews can extend the wait to up to 28 days.