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What does an ABN lookup tell you about a builder?

By BuilderVet team. Last reviewed 2 November 2026.

An ABN lookup tells you whether the builder’s ABN is active or cancelled, the legal entity behind it, whether and since when it is registered for GST, and the state and postcode of its main business location. It does not tell you whether the builder is licensed, insured, solvent or any good at building, so it is a check that the paperwork matches the business, not a check of the builder.

ABN Lookup is free and run by the Australian Business Register. This guide shows how to read each field, which mismatches are worth asking about, and where to look next. For the full set of checks, see how to check a NSW builder, or run a free BuilderVet check to see the ABN record next to the licence and ASIC records.

How do you look up a builder’s ABN?

  1. Go to ABN Lookup at abr.business.gov.au.
  2. Search by the ABN on the quote, the ACN if it is a company, or the name.
  3. Open the record and read the “Current details” tab.
  4. Open the “Historical details” tab to see past names and changes.

ABN is an 11-digit number. An ACN is a 9-digit number issued by ASIC to companies. If the business has an ACN, you can search ABN Lookup with it.

What does each field on ABN Lookup mean?

Field What it tells you What to compare it with
ABN status Active or cancelled. The ABR says cancelled means the business has ceased trading The quote and invoices
Entity name The name on official and legal documents. It may be different from the business name The party named on your contract and the licence holder
Entity type For example individual or sole trader, company, partnership or trust How the builder says they trade
GST status Whether and from when the entity is registered for GST Whether the quote adds GST
Main business location State and postcode only Where the builder says they are based
Business name(s) Registered business names the entity trades under The name on the van, website or quote
Trading name(s) Old names collected before May 2012, kept for history only Not reliable for identity
Dates of effect When each registration started and, if ended, when it ceased Long gaps or recent starts

Two dates sit at the bottom of the details screen: when the ABN was last updated from the register, and when the record was extracted. Note them if you save a copy.

Which mismatches should you ask about?

ASIC’s guidance on checking another business lists these as possible warning signs on ABN Lookup:

  • the name the business operates under is not listed
  • the ABN or ACN the business gives you is not listed
  • the ABN or ACN is linked to an entity or business name that seems different from the person or business you are dealing with.

From the ABR glossary, two more things are worth asking about:

  • A cancelled ABN. The ABR says this means the business has ceased trading. Ask why the quote uses it.
  • A quote that adds GST when the ABN shows no GST registration. ATO and business.gov.au guidance says a business that is not registered for GST does not include GST in its prices, and a business that is registered issues tax invoices. Ask the builder to explain the difference.

There can be innocent explanations, such as a recent change of structure. Ask in writing and keep the answer.

Why does the entity name matter so much?

Because the entity name is the legal party you would contract with, and in NSW the licence and the insurance need to line up with that party.

NSW Government guidance on home building contracts says a licence in an individual’s name does not let that individual’s company or partnership make the contract. So if ABN Lookup shows the ABN belongs to a company, the company needs its own contractor licence. See NSW builder licence types.

For jobs over $20,000 in NSW, the builder must give you a Home Building Compensation certificate before taking a deposit. The certificate should be in the name of the contracting entity. See verifying HBC insurance in NSW.

What doesn’t an ABN tell you?

An active ABN only tells you the business is registered. It does not tell you:

The ABN Lookup disclaimer says a listing is not a warranty of the commercial viability or continuing existence of the entity, and that the information may not be accurate, up to date or complete, so verify it with other sources. ASIC also notes that being listed on a government register does not guarantee a business is trustworthy.

Worked example: a sole trader quote

A $14,000 deck quote shows the name “Example Decks”, an ABN, and “GST included”.

  1. ABN Lookup. The ABN is active. The entity type is an individual or sole trader. The entity name is the person you met. “Example Decks” appears as a business name. GST is registered.
  2. Match check. The quote’s ABN, business name and person all line up. GST on the quote is consistent with the GST registration.
  3. Licence. Because the job is over $5,000 in labour and materials, the person needs a contractor licence covering the work. Search their name on the NSW register.
  4. Contract. Work between $5,000 and $20,000 needs a written small jobs contract in NSW.

If the ABN had belonged to a company instead, you would check the company’s own licence and its ASIC record.

A checklist for the ABN step

  1. Search the ABN exactly as it appears on the quote.
  2. Confirm the status is active.
  3. Match the entity name to the party on the contract.
  4. Match the business name to what the builder calls themselves.
  5. Check the GST status against how the quote treats GST.
  6. Look at the historical details for recent name or structure changes.
  7. Save or print the record with the extract date.

QLD note

ABN Lookup is national, so these steps work the same for a Queensland builder. Licensing in Queensland is handled by the QBCC. See how to check if a builder is licensed in QLD.

How BuilderVet helps

Our free check shows the ABN record beside the NSW licence and ASIC company records, so a name or number that doesn’t match stands out. For NSW builds, Build Watch (A$79 once) watches those records for 24 months and tells you if, for example, an ABN is cancelled during your build. See pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Is ABN Lookup free?

Yes. ABN Lookup gives free access to public ABN information from the Australian Business Register, and no login is needed.

What does a cancelled ABN mean?

The ABR glossary says a cancelled status means the business has ceased trading.

Why is the entity name different from the business name?

The entity name is the legal name on official documents, such as a person’s name or a company name. A business name is a name the entity trades under. The ABR says they can differ.

Does an active ABN mean my builder is licensed?

No. An ABN is a tax and business identifier. Licences are issued separately, and you check them on the state licence register.

Can I see a builder’s full address on ABN Lookup?

No. Only the state and postcode of the main business location are shown.

Should a builder charge GST if they are not registered?

ATO and business.gov.au guidance says a business that is not registered for GST does not include GST in its prices. If a quote adds GST but ABN Lookup shows no GST registration, ask why.

Are the trading names on ABN Lookup reliable?

No. The ABR stopped collecting trading names in May 2012. Those still shown are for historical reference only and have no legal status.

Sources

Related guides

Put the records beside your quote

Search the exact business on your quote. Read the source dates and gaps before you decide.

Find your builder See a sample report

Last reviewed 2 Nov 2026