Try to register for GST before you have an ABN and you’ll hit a wall. Try to get an ABN for a company that doesn’t exist yet and you’ll hit the same wall from a different direction. Most new owners find out the hard way that these registrations depend on each other, and doing them in the wrong order wastes weeks.
ABN, ASIC and GST registration isn’t complicated once you know the sequence. Here’s the order that works for most new businesses, what each step costs, and the choices you’ll face along the way.
What Order Should You Register In?
For a company, the usual order is structure first, then ASIC, then your TFN and ABN, then a business name if you need one, then GST, then any employer registrations. A sole trader skips ASIC unless they want a registered business name, so the sequence starts with the ABN. A trust needs its deed in place before it can get a TFN and ABN.
The reason is simple. Each registration relies on information created by the one before it. The ABN needs an entity that exists, the business name needs an ABN, and GST registration needs an ABN too.
Step One: Which Structure Are You Using?
Everything else flows from this decision. Your options are generally a sole trader, a partnership, a company or a trust, and each has different registration needs.
- Sole trader: no ASIC registration, just an ABN
- Partnership: its own ABN and TFN
- Company: ASIC registration first, then an ABN
- Trust: a trust deed, then a TFN and an ABN
Structure affects tax, asset protection and how easily you can bring in partners or sell later. It’s worth getting advice before you register anything, because changing structure down the track can be expensive.
Step Two: Do You Need to Register With ASIC?
If you’re setting up a company, ASIC is where you begin. From 1 July 2026 the fee to register a new proprietary company is $636, and you’ll receive an ACN (Australian Company Number) once it’s done. You can usually apply for a TFN and an ABN at the same time as the company registration, which saves a round of paperwork.
You’ll need a company name, a registered office address, details of at least one director and the shareholders. Each director needs a director ID, which you apply for before the company registration goes through. These early decisions tend to go much more smoothly when you treat business start ups as a proper project rather than a form filling exercise, because a small slip at this stage ripples through every step that follows.
Step Three: How Do You Get an ABN?
An ABN is an 11 digit number that identifies your business to the tax office and to other businesses. You apply through the Australian Business Register, and the application is free. You’ll need to give your entity details, your TFN and a description of your activities.
If you skipped the combined application during company registration, do it now. Suppliers will ask for your ABN on invoices, and without one they may be required to withhold tax from payments to you. Getting it early keeps those relationships smooth.
Step Four: Do You Need a Business Name?
You only need to register a business name if you trade under something other than your own legal name. A company called Smith Holdings Pty Ltd trading as “Smith Coffee” needs one, while a sole trader named Jane Smith trading as Jane Smith doesn’t. You’ll need an ABN first, since ASIC checks it when you register the name.
At the time of writing, ASIC business name fees are $47 for one year or $108 for three years. Fees are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amounts with ASIC. Registering a name doesn’t give you ownership of it in the way a trade mark does, which is worth knowing if the brand matters to you.
Step Five: When Should You Register for GST?
You must register for GST when your business turns over $75,000 or more in a year, or $150,000 for a non profit. You need to register within 21 days of reaching that point. Taxi and ride sharing drivers must register from day one regardless of turnover. Many other owners choose to register earlier by choice.
The trade off is worth weighing. Once registered, you charge GST on sales, which can make you look more expensive to customers who can’t claim it back. You also claim credits for the GST in your business costs, which helps if you’re spending heavily on set up. Because the timing affects both your pricing and your cash flow, it pays to understand how GST works in practice, and a short chat with your accountant can help you pick the right moment.
What Other Registrations Should Be on Your Radar?
Once the big three are done, think about your obligations if you’re hiring. Employers register for PAYG withholding, pay superannuation and may need to register for payroll tax and workers compensation depending on the state and wage levels. Getting these right early avoids nasty surprises, especially once you’re running payroll every fortnight and the deadlines start arriving on schedule.
Tidy records from the start make every one of these easier. Setting up your bookkeeping and accounting on day one means your BAS, super and tax obligations are ready to go when they’re due.
What to Take Away When You Register
The right order depends on your structure, but the logic stays the same. Decide your structure, register the company with ASIC if you need one, get your TFN and ABN, add a business name if you’re trading under one, and then register for GST when your turnover or your plans call for it. Doing things in sequence saves time and avoids rework.
This is general information and not personal advice, so confirm current fees and thresholds before you start. If you’re about to launch, which registration are you most unsure about right now?
Frequently Asked Question
Do I register for an ABN or ASIC first?
It depends on your structure. If you’re setting up a company, you register with ASIC first because the ABN needs an entity that already exists. A sole trader doesn’t deal with ASIC unless they want a registered business name, so their sequence starts with the ABN. You can usually apply for a TFN and an ABN at the same time as the company registration.
Do sole traders need to register with ASIC?
Generally, no. A sole trader only needs an ABN to get started. ASIC comes into the picture only if you want to trade under a business name that isn’t your own legal name. In that case you register the name with ASIC after you have your ABN.
How much does it cost to register a company with ASIC?
From 1 July 2026, the fee to register a new proprietary company is $636. ASIC indexes its fees each 1 July, so check ASIC’s website for the current amount before you apply. You’ll receive an ACN (Australian Company Number) once the registration is complete.
Is it free to apply for an ABN?
Yes, the application is free when you apply through the Australian Business Register. You’ll need to give your entity details, your TFN and a description of your activities. Getting your ABN early also matters because suppliers may be required to withhold tax from payments to you if you don’t quote one.
Do I need an ABN before I can register for GST?
Yes. GST registration needs an ABN, so the ABN always comes first. In practice many owners tick the GST option when they apply for the ABN, so both happen in one go. The key point is that you can’t register for GST without an ABN in place.
When do I have to register for GST?
You must register when your business turnover reaches $75,000 a year, or $150,000 for a non profit. You need to register within 21 days of reaching that point. Taxi and ride sharing drivers must register from day one regardless of turnover. Many other owners choose to register earlier.
Do I need to register a business name?
Only if you trade under something other than your own legal name. A company called Smith Holdings Pty Ltd trading as “Smith Coffee” needs one, while a sole trader named Jane Smith trading as Jane Smith doesn’t. You’ll need an ABN first, since ASIC checks it when you register the name. Registering a name doesn’t give you ownership the way a trade mark does.
What other registrations do I need if I’m hiring staff?
Employers register for PAYG withholding, pay superannuation and may need to register for payroll tax and workers compensation, depending on the state and wage levels. These come after the main ABN, ASIC and GST steps. Setting up your bookkeeping early makes it much easier to meet BAS, super and tax deadlines.
