Finding your official Australian business category shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a multi-page PDF
Whether you’re registering a new company with ASIC, updating your tax details with the ATO, or setting up an Australian Business Number (ABN), selecting the right industry classification is crucial. To save you from scrolling through dense government spreadsheets, we’ve built a complete, interactive ANZSIC industry directory below.
Simply type a keyword, search by division, or enter an ANZSIC code to find your official classification in seconds.
Tip: Search by a specific service (e.g., “Cafe”, “Plumbing”, “Software”) or enter a 2-digit code if you already know it.
Unsure of your ANZSIC category?
Describe your daily business activities in plain English, and our AI assistant will recommend the most accurate ASIC and ATO classification.
What is an ANZSIC code, and why does my business need one?
ANZSIC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification. Developed jointly by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Statistics New Zealand, it is the official framework used to categorise business activities.
Government bodies—including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)—use ANZSIC codes to track economic statistics, assess industry benchmarks, and determine regulatory requirements for registered businesses.
What is the difference between an ANZSIC code and an ATO Business Industry Code (BIC)?
While both systems categorise business activities, they serve slightly different purposes:
ANZSIC Codes: The overarching 2-to-4-digit classification framework used by government agencies, ASIC, and statisticians.
ATO Business Industry Codes (BIC): A 5-digit number adapted directly from ANZSIC codes by the Australian Taxation Office. You use a BIC when applying for an ABN or lodging your annual business tax return.
In short, your ATO Business Industry Code is simply the 5-digit tax version of your broader ANZSIC category.
How do I choose the right category if my business offers multiple services?
If your business provides several different services (for example, web design, copywriting, and hosting), you should select the category that represents your main business activity.
Your main business activity is defined as the service or product that generates the largest percentage of your overall revenue or consumes the majority of your operational resources.
What happens if I select the wrong business industry category?
Selecting an incorrect category will not invalidate your company registration or ABN, but it can lead to practical issues:
Tax Benchmarking: The ATO compares your financial performance against industry benchmarks. An incorrect code might trigger unnecessary ATO reviews or audit enquiries.
Insurance Coverage: Insurance providers use industry codes to assess risk and calculate premiums. An inaccurate code could affect a claim.
Government Grants: Many federal and state business grants require an exact industry classification to determine eligibility.
How do I update my business industry category with the ATO or ASIC?
You can update your business activity at any time:
For Sole Traders and ABN Holders: Log into the Australian Business Register (ABR) using your myGovID to update your main business activity online, or update it when lodging your next tax return.
For Companies (ASIC): Update your principal business activity via the ASIC Connect portal when lodging your company’s annual review or submitting a Form 484 (Change to company details).
Can an Australian business have more than one industry category?
When registering an ABN or completing a tax return, you must nominate one primary business activity. However, you are permitted to carry out multiple distinct business operations under a single ABN. If your business trades under different names for different services, you can register multiple business names under the same ABN with ASIC.