Generally, if you are renting out a property in Victoria, you will need an Australian Business Number (ABN) if you are operating as a business. This typically applies if you’re actively managing multiple properties or providing services beyond simply collecting rent, such as property management.
As of December 2025, many landlords in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs – areas like Balwyn, Doncaster, and Ringwood – engage property managers like those at Fletchers to handle the day-to-day operations of their rental properties. If Fletchers manages the property on your behalf, they will use *their* ABN for invoicing and GST purposes. However, if you self-manage and are claiming expenses related to the rental property, registering for an ABN may be beneficial, even if not strictly required. It allows you to claim GST credits on eligible expenses. Currently in Melbourne, we’re seeing increased scrutiny of rental income reporting, so accurate record-keeping is vital. The process of preparing a rental property for market – including costs for styling (typically $2,000-$8,000) and professional photography ($500-$1,500) – can be offset against income with a valid ABN. In 2026, the ATO is expected to continue emphasising compliance in the rental property sector.
Ultimately, whether you need an ABN depends on the scale of your rental activities and how you choose to manage your property.