What this class covers
ANZSIC class 3711 includes Australian businesses primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of textiles and textile products, excluding clothing, footwear, and floor coverings. These businesses act as intermediaries between manufacturers and retailers or industrial users, supplying materials rather than finished consumer goods. The classification is used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for economic data collection, by the Australian Taxation Office for business activity reporting, and by insurers for calculating workers' compensation premiums.
Typical businesses in this class include a wholesaler supplying fabric rolls to dressmaking shops, a company distributing industrial textiles like tarpaulins and canvas to hardware suppliers, or a specialist importer selling sewing thread and yarn to craft stores. Operations may involve bulk purchasing, storage, breaking bulk into smaller lots, and sales to trade customers rather than the general public.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class primarily engage in:
- Wholesaling textile fabrics, piece goods, and linens
- Selling yarn, sewing thread, and trimmings in bulk
- Distributing canvas goods, tarpaulins, and awnings
- Supplying textile products like blankets, towels, and soft furnishings
- Wholesaling industrial textiles such as rope, cordage, netting, and sail cloth
- Providing specialised textiles including glass fibre fabric, elasticised fabrics, and narrow fabrics
Exclusions and nearby codes
This class specifically excludes certain activities that fall under other ANZSIC classifications:
Businesses primarily engaged in wholesaling floor coverings such as carpets, rugs, and mats are classified in ANZSIC 3731: Furniture and Floor Covering Wholesaling. Similarly, operations focused on wholesaling wire rope are included in ANZSIC 3339: Other Hardware Goods Wholesaling rather than this class.
Businesses wholesaling finished clothing items belong in ANZSIC 3712: Clothing Wholesaling, while footwear wholesalers fall under ANZSIC 3713: Footwear Wholesaling.
Practical guidance
When registering for an ABN, you must accurately describe your main business activity. For textile product wholesaling, select the appropriate classification as it affects your tax obligations and industry reporting. The Business Industry Code (BIC) for this class is 37110, which is used for workers' compensation insurance calculations - using the correct code ensures appropriate premium rates.
Businesses in this class typically need to register for GST if turnover exceeds $75,000 annually. Keep detailed records of wholesale transactions as you may need to prove your business qualifies for wholesale tax treatments. While industry-specific grants are uncommon, textile wholesalers may qualify for general business support programs or export development grants if applicable.