An Australian Company Number (ACN) is a unique nine-digit identifier that is assigned to every company registered under Australia's Corporations Act 2001. It is issued by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and is required for all companies to ensure compliance with legal obligations.
The ACN must be displayed on a range of company documents, including statements of account, invoices, receipts, orders for goods and services, business letterheads, official company notices, and written advertisements that make a specific offer. If a company has an Australian Business Number (ABN), it may use the ABN in place of the ACN on documents, provided the ABN includes the nine-digit ACN.
The ACN is crucial for maintaining the integrity of company information and for distinguishing between entities with similar names, thereby facilitating clear and accurate corporate transactions and record-keeping.