How are issues of privacy and security being addressed?

The Australian Business Register (ABR) uses point-to-point technology to ensure a secure transmission of data. An entity or nominated tax agent can access ABN details online and update or make changes to details in a secure online environment if they have an administrator AUSkey or a primary ATO digital certificate.

To register for an AUSkey:

Visit www.abr.gov.au/auskey
Select 'Register' and follow the prompts.

If you have an active ATO digital certificate, we recommend you use it to register for an AUSkey at your earliest convenience to avoid delays in doing business with us online. Using an ATO digital certificate to register for an AUSkey will allow you to:

register through a faster online process
carry over the permissions associated with your ATO digital certificate to your AUSkey.

All government agencies with access to the ABR adhere to the Federal Privacy Act 1988 and the information privacy principles specified in the ABR Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Entitlement to non-public ABR information is restricted to government agencies and the owner of each individual ABR record. Provisions in the Australian Business Number (ABN) Act 1999 restrict the disclosure of unauthorised information and outline penalties for unauthorised disclosure.

For further information, refer to the security policy and privacy statement.

In exceptional circumstances, an individual can apply to the Registrar to request that information contained in the ABR should not be publicly displayed or provided to other government departments.

For further information, refer to Who can apply to have their ABN details suppressed?