What is an ANZSIC code in Australia? What it means for businesses.

There are many Australian business acronyms and terminologies, and ANZSIC is one of these.

In this quick article, you’ll find out what ANZSIC stands for, what it means, and how to find and read one. Learn how to update and add one for your business. Let’s jump right in.

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What is the ANZSIC code?

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) was developed jointly by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Statistics New Zealand in 1993.

The ANZSIC code is a four-digit number derived from the activities of the business. It’s used by government bodies between the two countries and globally to compare industry statistics. It identifies the classification of the industry of that business.

Revisions to ANZSIC were made in 2006 to capture new and emerging activities and to fix minor errors and omissions.¹

How to read an ANZSIC Code

An ANZSIC code can be up to four levels deep. The first level is the broad division, which is a limited number of 40 categories used to provide an overall picture of the Australian economy.

The next level is the subdivision, followed by groups and then classes.²

For example, a retail shoe shop has an ANZSIC code of 4252. The complete steps are:

• Division - G - Retail trade
• Subdivision - 42 - Other store-based retailing
• Group - 425 - Clothing, footwear, and personal accessory retailing
• Class - 4252 - Footwear retailing

Why is the ANZSIC code important?

With the broad range of business activities in Australia, providing statistical data efficiently requires classifying these activities.

Having an ANZSIC code broken down by each business activity, and sub-activities, makes the gathering and reporting of statistics more straightforward.

ANZSIC codes are widely used by researchers, industry organisations and government agencies for taxation, research, regulation and administrative purposes.²

Read more: Learn how to start your own business in Australia

What are examples of ANZSIC codes in Australia?

Here are some examples of some ANZSIC codes demonstrating the broad range:

• 1351 - Clothing manufacturing
• 2630 - Electricity distribution
• 3011 - House construction
• 4511 - Cafes and restaurants
• 5801 - Wired telecommunications network operation
• 6210 - Central banking

Where to find and download ANZSIC classification codes?

There are two ways to locate an ANZSIC code.³

• You can search for an ANZSIC code by keyword on the ABS website
• Or download a complete list from the Department of Climate Change website

How to view and update your ANZSIC Classification

The easiest way to view and update your ANZSIC is via the Australian Business Register (ABR) website.⁴

You’ll need your Australian Business Number (ABN) and your MyGov ID.

How to view ANZSIC

• Start at the ABR website
• Click the ‘Update Your ABN’ button
• This opens us your ABN summary
• From the drop-down menu on the right-hand side of the page, choose ‘ANZSIC and Business Details’
• Confirm that your details are correct

If they need adding or updating, proceed with the following steps

How to update your ANZSIC details

• Click ‘Update ABN Record’
• Choose the second tab, which is ‘ANZSIC and business details’
• In the first box, describe the business’ main activity; this is a freeform box with no drop-down
• Then in the following drop-down box, choose the main category and any sub-categories that are provided
• The ANZSIC number will be automatically generated below based on your selections
• Click on the ‘Declarations’ tab, then hit ‘submit’.

Alternatively, you can call the Australian Business Register on 13 92 26 and answer some ID questions — then, they can assist.

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Sources:

1. ABS ANZSIC
2. ABS ANZSIC 2006 revision 1.0
3. Department of Climate Change ANZSIC Code list
4. Business Victorian Government view and update ANZSIC

Sources checked on: 29 May 2023