Important: This page is an independent reference summary. Verify classification decisions against the official ABS source before using them for tax, licensing, immigration or compliance purposes.

What this class covers

ANZSIC class 5420 covers businesses primarily engaged in creating and distributing ready-made, non-customised computer software. This classification applies to companies that develop software products for general use rather than creating custom solutions for specific clients. The software can be distributed through various channels including physical media, digital downloads, or cloud-based services.

In the Australian context, this classification helps government agencies, researchers, and businesses understand the software publishing sector's composition and performance. The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses this classification for collecting economic data, while businesses use it for market analysis and benchmarking.

Typical operations in this class include:

  • A company developing and selling accounting software to small businesses
  • A game studio creating and publishing video games for consumer markets
  • An educational software publisher creating language learning programs
  • A security software company offering antivirus products to home users
  • A productivity software firm developing office suite applications

Primary activities in plain English

Businesses in this class are mainly involved in:

  • Creating and publishing off-the-shelf software products for general use
  • Developing application software for specific purposes like accounting or design
  • Publishing system software including operating systems and utilities
  • Distuting software through various channels (physical or digital)
  • Licensing software products to end-users or organizations

These activities focus on commercial software products rather than bespoke solutions developed for individual clients.

Exclusions and nearby codes

Several related activities are specifically excluded from this classification and fall under other ANZSIC codes:

Practical guidance

When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, you'll need to select your primary activity using Business Industry Codes (BIC), which align with ANZSIC classifications. For software publishing, the corresponding BIC code is 54200.

This classification may affect your workers' compensation insurance premiums, as different industry classifications have different risk ratings. Some state and federal grant programs may target specific industry classifications, so accurate reporting is important for eligibility assessment.

When completing Business Activity Statements (BAS) or tax returns, maintaining consistent industry classification helps with accurate statistical reporting and may assist in benchmarking your business performance against industry averages published by the ABS.