How ABN Verification Works
ABN verification queries the Australian Business Register, a free government database maintained by the ATO, to confirm a business number is valid, active, and matches expected entity details. The lookup returns the company's legal name, trading names, GST status, entity type, and registration date. Recruitment agencies use this data to validate prospects and ensure correct invoicing.
- ABN status — active, cancelled, or replaced
- Entity name — the legal name registered with the ATO
- Trading names — registered business names the entity operates under
- GST registration — whether a tax invoice is required
- Entity type — company, trust, partnership, sole trader, or government
ABN vs ACN vs ASIC
An ABN is issued by the ATO for tax purposes and applies to all business structures. An ACN is issued by ASIC specifically to registered companies. ASIC maintains the company register with director names and compliance history. Recruiters use ABN for invoice validation and ASIC data for identifying decision-makers and understanding company structure.
ABN Verification in Recruitment BD
- Prospect validation — confirm a company is active before spending enrichment credits
- Invoice compliance — verify GST registration to format invoices correctly
- Trading name matching — ensure terms of business match the registered entity
- Labour hire compliance — verify subcontractor ABNs as required by state licensing
- Duplicate detection — identify same entity operating under different trading names
Kolvera integrates ABN verification into company profiles. Recruiters verify any Australian business against the ABR within the platform, alongside ASIC director data and SEEK hiring activity.