Australia business credit reports

Information to prepare for your Australia company check

• Registered company name and any business name used in correspondence
• Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN), if available
• Business address, state or territory, and postcode

Include the identifiers you have. If the legal entity is uncertain, ask our team before ordering. Do not substitute your US billing details for the subject company’s details.

Business names and their holders

ASIC’s business names register can identify the person or organization holding a business name. Searches can use a business name, a holder’s name, an ABN, or an ACN. The holder may be a company or another type of entity, so a business name alone does not establish the legal form.

Source: ASIC: business names register (opens in a new tab).

Keep the ABN and ACN distinct

ASIC describes an ABN as an 11-digit business identifier and an ACN as a 9-digit company identifier. Provide whichever identifiers appear on your counterparty’s paperwork and keep their labels with them. This helps clarify whether the request concerns a company or another form of business.

Source: ASIC: business identifiers and register searches (opens in a new tab).

Check the holder behind the brand

For a US supplier opening an Australian distribution relationship, identify the registered company or business that signs the agreement. Include both the brand and the holder’s legal name when known. Explain any connection to a parent company separately instead of assuming the brand and group share one legal identity.

What can the report include?

Depending on the company and available sources, a report may cover registration, ownership, financial statements, payment information, public records, and a credit assessment. Information is not equally available in every market. Check the company identity, source dates, and qualifications in the delivered report.

View sample report PDFs to explore the format, or read what an international business credit report includes.

Can I request a report using an Australian business name?

Include the business name and the identity of its holder if known. An ABN or ACN and address help identify the intended entity. Contact the team if you only have a trading name or are unsure of the holder.