Do I Need to Display My ABN on My Website, Invoices or Socials?

Once you’ve registered for an ABN, the next question is: where does it need to appear?

Do you have to put your ABN on your website? On your invoices? On your Instagram bio?

In this article, we break down:

• When you're legally required to display your ABN
• Where you must include it (and where it’s optional)
• What happens if you don’t include your ABN?

Do I legally have to display my ABN?

Yes, in some cases.

According to the ATO and Australian Consumer Law, you must display your ABN on all invoices or receipts you issue for your business.

If you're a sole trader, this means:

• Any invoice you send to clients must include your ABN
• If you don’t include it, your clients may be legally required to withhold 47% of your payment (known as “no ABN withholding tax”)

So, while it might seem like a small detail - leaving out your ABN can directly impact your cash flow.

Where should you include your ABN?

Must include:

• Invoices and receipts
  Your ABN must be clearly listed on all tax invoices, standard invoices, and receipts you issue for work performed.
  

Highly recommended:

• Quotes or estimates
  If you send quotes, it’s best practice to include your ABN so clients can verify you’re registered.
• Business website
  Listing your ABN in your website footer, About page, or Terms & Conditions page shows you’re a registered business.
  
• Social media business pages
  Not legally required, but having your ABN or business number on Instagram bios, Facebook pages or LinkedIn can build legitimacy.
  
• Email signatures
  Great for transparency and compliance, especially if you issue quotes or send contracts over email.

Where on your website should your ABN appear?

If you have a business website, here are a few easy places to display your ABN:

• Footer (e.g. “ABN 12 345 678 910”)
• Contact page or About page
• Business Terms & Conditions or Privacy Policy
• Under your registered business name

While not a legal requirement for all businesses, it’s a strong trust signal that shows you’re legitimate and registered with the ATO.

What happens if you don’t include your ABN?

If you issue an invoice without an ABN, your client may be legally required to:

• Withhold 47% of the payment and send it to the ATO
• Refuse to pay until an updated invoice with your ABN is provided

In short: skipping the ABN on invoices means slower or smaller payments.

Summary: Where to display your ABN

Don’t have an ABN yet?

Start your business the right way - Register My ABN makes it easy to apply in minutes. You’ll receive your ABN fast and we’ll help you get it right the first time.