In order to obtain an ABN for your company all officeholders must be included in the application and all of their information must be provided. You cannot remove or simply leave out an associate from the ABN application to make the process quicker or easier.
The reality is that ASIC and the ATO both require different standards of information and follow separate processes for identification verification.
If you feel it necessary to proceed with an ABN application without an associate this is possible, but only if this associate is removed as an officeholder of the company. To do this you must lodge the change of company structure directly with ASIC.
To obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN), it is necessary to include all officeholders in the application and provide their complete information. It is not permissible to exclude or omit an associate from the ABN application to expedite the process. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have distinct standards for information and follow separate identification verification procedures.
If an associate needs to be removed for the ABN application, they must first be officially removed as an officeholder of the company. This change in company structure must be lodged directly with ASIC. It is important to ensure that all details provided match ATO records to avoid application refusal. For non-resident associates without Tax File Numbers (TFNs), proof of identity documents will be required. Incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to application refusal or delays.