What this class covers
ANZSIC Class 3494 classifies businesses primarily engaged in wholesaling electrical or electronic goods not elsewhere classified in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification system. This includes businesses that sell these products to retailers, other wholesalers, industrial users, professional users, or institutional clients rather than directly to the general public.
Typical businesses in this category might include:
- A wholesaler supplying electrical components like cables, switchgear, and motors to industrial clients
- A distributor of commercial kitchen appliances to restaurant suppliers
- A company specialising in electronic security systems for business installations
- A wholesale supplier of lighting fixtures to electrical contractors
- A distributor of office equipment like photocopiers and calculators to retail stores
This classification is used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for data collection, by government agencies for policy development, and by businesses themselves for industry benchmarking. It helps differentiate this specific wholesale activity from retail sales and from wholesaling of other types of machinery and equipment.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class typically engage in one or more of the following activities:
- Wholesaling electric air conditioning equipment
- Distributing electric or electronic alarm systems
- Supplying dry cell batteries to retailers
- Wholesaling electric light bulbs and tubes
- Distributing electric cable and wiring
- Supplying calculators to retail outlets
- Wholesaling cameras and photographic equipment
- Distributing cash registers
- Supplying DVD players and other entertainment equipment
- Wholesaling electrical fittings not elsewhere classified
- Distributing electrical distribution equipment
- Supplying electrical measuring or testing instruments
- Wholesaling electric fans
- Distributing floor polishers
- Supplying electricity generators
- Wholesaling electric kitchen appliances
- Distributing electric light fittings
- Supplying electric motors
- Wholesaling photocopiers
- Distributing radio or television parts
- Supplying radio receivers
- Wholesaling refrigeration equipment
- Distributing electrical or electronic scales
- Supplying sewing machines
- Wholesaling electric shavers
- Distributing shop or office scales
- Supplying sound recording or reproducing equipment
- Wholesaling stoves or heaters
- Distributing electrical switchgear
- Supplying television sets
- Wholesaling vacuum cleaners
- Distributing video cassette recorders (VCRs)
- Supplying washing machines
- Wholesaling electrical welding equipment
Exclusions and nearby codes
This class specifically excludes certain activities that fall under other ANZSIC classifications:
- Wholesaling binoculars or photographic film is included in Class 3499: Other Machinery and Equipment Wholesaling n.e.c.
Related classifications include other wholesale trade categories for machinery and equipment, such as those covering specialised medical equipment, agricultural machinery, or computer and peripheral equipment wholesaling.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, you'll need to select the appropriate ANZSIC code that best describes your main business activity. For businesses primarily engaged in wholesaling electrical and electronic goods not elsewhere classified, ANZSIC 3494 is typically the correct classification.
This classification may affect:
- Your Business Activity Statements (BAS) and GST reporting requirements
- Workers' compensation insurance classifications through your state or territory scheme
- Eligibility for certain industry-specific grants or programs
- Statistical reporting to the Australian Bureau of Statistics
The corresponding BIC (Business Industry Code) for this classification is 34940. If your business engages in multiple activities, you should classify based on your main revenue-generating activity. Consult with a business advisor or accountant if you're uncertain about the most appropriate classification for your specific operations.