Australian Company Numbers

Under the Corporations Law, every company in Australia has been issued with a unique nine digit number, an Australian Company Number (ACN), which must be shown on a range of documents.

The purpose of the ACN is to ensure adequate identification of companies when transacting business. New companies are issued with numbers by the Australian Securities Commission as part of the incorporation process.

Because of the ACN, it is no longer necessary for company documents to show the State/Territory of the company's incorporation.

The ACN is also a key part of a system of national company registration, which allows companies to conduct business in a state other than their "home" state without having to re-incorporate in the "new" state.

Where the ACN must appear

The company's ACN should appear on "public documents" and "eligible negotiable instruments" that are signed or issued. The items on which it should appear include:

• documents required to be lodged with the Australian Securities Commission
  (including Annual Returns)
• statements of account, including invoices
• receipts which are not machine produced
• orders for goods and services
• business letterheads
• official company notices
• cheques, promissory notes and bills of exchange
• brochures and leaflets advertising specific goods and services.

In a document which refers to a company more than once, it is only necessary to cite the ACN where the company's name first appears.

Where a number of separate companies are listed on a document (eg, a letterhead) the ACN of each should appear, in such a way that makes clear the company to which each number relates.

There are no specific requirements as to how an ACN should appear on a document, however is should be clear, easily readable and obvious as to the company to which it relates. The ACN should be displayed where a company's full name first appears on a document.

The ACN should be identified by the words "Australian Company Number" or by the abbreviations "ACN" or "A.C.N.".

Special Cases: Seals and Share Certificates

The ACN must appear on company seals. The ACN on the seal must be part of the seal itself. It cannot be added separately.

Share certificates issued by a company must show not only the ACN (as part of the company or share seal) but also the company's State/Territory of incorporation.

Where the ACN is not required

• packaging and labelling, including envelopes and transport documents
• brochures and leaflets generally promoting a company (ie, not specific goods and services)
• credit cards and credit card vouchers
• machine-generated receipts, including cash register receipts
• business cards and "with compliments" slips
• advertisements which appear in newspapers, magazines etc
• items which are not documents (eg, vehicles, television advertisements).

This article has been adapted from information supplied by the Australian Securities Commission. It should not be construed as legal advice.