Short answer: A casual household seller often does not need one, but a buyer may still ask for details, and anyone selling scrap regularly or as part of a business is more likely to need an ABN and to be treated as running a business, so the answer depends on whether your activity is a hobby or clear-out or a business, and the tax authority can confirm which applies to you.
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List Free →Why buyers sometimes ask for one
Buyers who deal with businesses may ask for an ABN so they can record who they bought from, and not having one can sometimes affect how a transaction is handled.
Why your activity matters more than the material
The question is generally about whether you are running a business, not about whether the material is scrap, so a regular, organised and profit-driven activity points towards needing one.
Where to check
The official business registration information and the tax authority’s guidance explain who needs an ABN, and an accountant can apply it to your case.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade supports both individual and business sellers, so you can trade whichever way applies to you.
Good records make selling scrap simpler. ScrapTrade documents each offer and sale, with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.
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