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Find answers about Australian business searches and the public information connected to them.
Questions, answered.
How do I find a business?
Search a name, ABN or ACN. Compare identifiers and entity types when a name produces several results.
Is every ABN a company?
No. Different types of entities and business structures use ABNs. Check the recorded entity type instead of treating every ABN as a company.
Are an ABN and an ACN the same thing?
No. They are different registration identifiers. An ABN-based record may include an associated ACN where the source provides it, but not every ABN holder is a company with an ACN.
Why is the business name different from the entity name?
The name a business operates under can differ from the name recorded for its entity. The names and relationships shown should be read in the context of the relevant source.
Does an active ABN mean a business is trading or financially sound?
No. It describes ABN registration status. It is not confirmation of current trading activity, solvency, creditworthiness or suitability as a supplier.
Does a cancelled ABN mean a company has been deregistered?
Do not assume so. ABN status and company registration status are separate. Consult the relevant official records for current confirmation.
Is an ABN date the same as a company’s incorporation date?
Not necessarily. ABN registration, company incorporation, status changes and the date a record was added to GridAU are different events. Read the date label and source carefully.
Why is there only a state or postcode rather than a street address?
Some public sources publish only limited location information. Public ABR data does not provide a full business street address. Where additional location details are available from another source, they need their own context.
Does GridAU have official ABR industry codes for every entity?
No such coverage should be assumed. ABR industry codes are not part of its public information. Any industry information displayed by GridAU should identify its separate source or how it was derived.
Why does a business have no related contracts, grants or other records?
It may not appear in the covered datasets, the relevant period may be outside coverage, or a reliable match may be unavailable. No match is not proof that the business has no such activity.
Does a government contract value show a business’s revenue?
No. A published contract value is not the same as revenue or actual payments. Read the notice, any amendments and the source’s definitions.
How current is the information?
Sources publish and update on different schedules. Check source dates, reporting periods and GridAU’s refresh information. Use the official register when current confirmation is essential.
How do I report incorrect information?
Send the record link or identifier, the field to review and a supporting source through Report a data issue. Updating GridAU does not change an ABR, ASIC or other government record.
Can I access contacts, enrichment or larger datasets?
The Grid’s applications cover business intelligence and data workflows. Available products, fields and coverage depend on the market and use case. Explore The Grid.
Is GridAU a government website?
No. GridAU is an independent service from The Grid. Source attribution does not imply government endorsement or affiliation.
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