what is an acn number

An ACN number is a unique identifier required by every company registered under Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) . It is a nine-digit number issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) to every Australian company. The number is usually printed in three groups of three digits, and preceded by the letters ACN, and must be quoted on all correspondence and invoices issued by the company. A company may also be required to have a Tax File Number (TFN) and an Australian Business Number (ABN) . If a company has an ABN, it may use the ABN in place of the ACN on documents, preceded by the letters ABN. The purpose of the ACN number is to enable shareholders, partners, customers, other businesses, and ASIC to identify the company. A similar nine-digit Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN) is used for non-company entities such as registerable Australian bodies, and for foreign companies.