ABN Requirements for Delivery Drivers in Australia: Uber Eats, DoorDash and Menulog

Australian Business Number or ABN is one of the requirements that you must have when you plan to earn additional income as a delivery person in Australia with Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog or other platforms. An exclusive 11-digit identifier distinguishes your business from the government and community.

This requirement is necessary because as a delivery person on an online delivery platform, your status is not as an employee, but as a contractor running an independent business, and therefore are subject to legal obligations equivalent to a sole trader business structure.

Here we will write further about ABN requirements for delivery drivers who work on several online delivery platforms such as Uber and DoorDash. At the end of this article, we will also provide step by step how to get your own number.

ABN for Uber Eats Delivery Driver

To comply with regulations set by the government in Australia, Uber requires all its independent contractors to have an ABN. Whether it’s a driver on a ride-booking service or a delivery person on the Uber Eats service.

This requirement is mandatory when you register either via the website or via the Uber driver app which you can download on the App Store or Play Store. Without submitting your own number, your application will not be processed.

You can see and enter your ABN on the Requirements page during the registration process which is usually found at the bottom as in the following screen capture:

Uber Eats ABN for Drivers

Unlike the driver’s license requirement which is mandatory for those who work with motorized vehicles. Uber Eats ABN applies to all types of vehicles that you will drive, be it a bicycle, scooter or car.

Dasher DoorDash ABN

Because a Dasher is an independent contractor who does work for DoorDash but operates independently, which means they use their own vehicle and only work whenever they want. In this case, they are required by the Australian Government to have an ABN.

Suppose you want to be activated in the platform and can immediately deliver with them. So you can start by getting your own ABN first, after that, you can enter your unique 11-digit number when asked during the registration process.

When you register as a Dasher either via the website or driver app, you can see a column for writing your ABN in the section after you determine your vehicle type and birthdate. For more details, you can see the screenshot below:

ABN for DoorDash

So ABN for DoorDash is an absolute requirement and cannot be negotiated or bypassed, like other requirements. For example, for driver license requirements you will still be accepted for delivery even if you don’t have an unlimited/open license because they still accept a PS driver license.

ABN for Menulog Driver

As a delivery platform that has been founded and developed in Australia, of course, Menulog is more aware of and complies with regulations regarding ABN requirements for its delivery drivers.

These requirements can be seen on the Courier Help Center page on the company’s official website. Below is a screen capture of the page:

Menulog ABN Requirements

When registering as a Menulog delivery driver via the courier app or website, you will be asked to enter your ABN right after you upload your identity and vehicle requirements.

Step by step on how to apply ABN for drivers

It’s free to get one and you can apply it yourself online via the Australian Business Register (ABR) official website. Getting ABN is easy and straightforward when you can provide all the valid information needed.

Here we provide step by step how to register for ABN, especially for International students.

1. Go to ABR Website
Go to the Australian Business Register (ABR) website here, look for the button or link to apply or reapply for an ABN.

2. Agreement
At the beginning of the application process, you will see an agreement page, tick an option to state that you agree to provide true and correct information, and once done click the next button.

3. ABN Entitlement
This section is intended to determine entitlement to an ABN

• For taxation purposes which type of entity is the applicant? Individual (Sole trader)
• Will your activities be carried out in Australia? Yes
• Have you started or are you taking steps to start your activity? Yes
• What is the nature of your activity? In the form of a business
• Are you doing things that are consistent with running a business? Yes

ABN Entitlement

4. Application Detail
This section will ask for more detailed information about your ABN application.

• For taxation purposes which type of entity is the applicant? Individual (Sole trader)
• Does the applicant currently have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or previously had an ABN? No
• Does the applicant wish to apply or reapply for an Australian Business Number (ABN)? Yes
• Does the applicant have a Tax File Number? Yes
• Does the applicant wish to apply for a Tax File Number? No

ABN Detail

5. Business Information
This section will dig more information about your business as well as the longest part of the entire ABN application process.

Taxation Information

• Is the applicant an Australian resident for tax purposes? Yes
• If the applicant uses, or intends to use the services of a tax agent, what is the tax agent’s registration number? Leave empty

Taxation Information

Applicant Information

• Fill your first name, last name and date of birth
• What is the Individual/Sole Trader’s Tax File Number? Leave empty

Applicant Information

Business Activity Details

• From what date does the Individual/Sole Trader require its ABN? Provide the date when you require the ABN, no more than 6 months in the future.
• If you intend for this business activity to be less than 3 months, on what date do you expect to cease business? Leave it as it is if you want to work for more than 3 months.
• Describe the Individual/Sole Trader’s main business activity. Fill with FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE for on-demand food delivery service (like Uber Eats, Doordash, Menulog) or RIDE BOOKING SERVICE for on-demand transportation (Uber, Didi Ola).
• Select the category which best matches the Individual/Sole Trader’s main business activity. Choose between “Food delivery service for restaurants” or “Taxi and Ride Sharing Services“.
• Does the Individual/Sole Trader operate an agricultural property? No.

Business Activity Details

Business Address Details

• On the main business address, this can be your home address since you operate as individual contractors.
• Is the Individual/Sole Trader’s postal address the same as the business address? Yes
• What is the Individual/Sole Trader’s email address for service of notices and correspondence? Fill with your email address
• Does the Individual/Sole Trader have more than one business location in Australia? No
• What is the telephone number for this location? Choose Mobile then write down your mobile phone number
• What is the email address for this location? Same as service of notice email

Business Address Details

Contact details
This is the authorised contact person for the Individual/Sole Trader. You should provide your contact details since they may contact you for further information.

• Authorised Contact: write down your full name and choose the position held as Individual/Sole Trader.
• Contact telephone numbers: put your mobile number and email address.

Contact Detail

5. Reason for Application
In this section you should be able to describe why you as a Sole Trader is applying for an ABN.

• Why is the Individual/Sole Trader applying for an ABN? Contractor/Sub-contractor
• Is this the Individual/Sole Trader’s first time self employed as a contractor/sub-contractor in Australia? Yes

Reason for Application

6. Declaration
This is the last part of the entire application process. Please read the declaration form and privacy statement carefully.

• Name, write down your name
• Position held: SOLE TRADER
• Date of declaration: Choose a date when you apply for an ABN.
• Once done press the Submit button

Declaration

When all the information you provide can be identified by the system, your ABN will be issued immediately. However, sometimes the ABR takes time to validate and process your application, and ABR may also get in touch with you for further details.

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