Do I Need An ISBN For My Book In Australia?

Not only do you need an ISBN for your book in Australia, but you’ll also need one for each of its formats, including ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers!

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identifier for your book or audiobook. Your International Standard Book Number includes information such as the book format, edition, and publisher. If you’re self-publishing your book under a publishing imprint you created, you should always purchase your International Standard Book Numbers under that imprint name.

Check out Why Self-Published Authors Should Create A Publishing Imprint where we discuss how to start your own publishing imprint and why it’s so important. It doesn’t sound very easy, but it’s really quite simple. If you’re not publishing under your own imprint, why not?

International Standard Book Numbers Explained

When you release a new book, you’ll need an International Standard Book Number for each format. This includes the ebook, paperback, hardcover, or audiobook. That’s four in total if you plan on publishing multiple formats of your book. International Standard Book Numbers apply to all formats of a book.

Remember, always lock in your title before assigning the information to your ISBNs. It can be challenging to update your information once the International Standard Book Number has been assigned. The last thing you want to do is change numbers or titles and waste money buying new ones. You can always keep a list of ISBNs and which formats they apply to. Once the book is finalized, go back and complete all information in the ISBN registrations. This includes the title, publication date, price, formats, and other details.

If you are publishing an ebook on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or any of Amazon’s other self-publishing platforms, you won’t require an ISBN because Amazon will assign you an ASIN and register it for you if you prefer. However, if you choose to publish your book elsewhere, you must also obtain an International Standard Book Number, as ASINs are only for Amazon.

We recommend sourcing your own International Standard Book Numbers so you can control where your book is listed. Your book will be ready for publication if you wish to add it to additional self-publishing platforms, such as IngramSpark Publishing, Apple Books, or Draft2Digital.

If you haven’t chosen a self-publishing platform yet, check out The Best Self-Publishing Platforms to Self-Publish Your Books! We cover all the best self-publishing platforms in Australia.

So, What Role Does Your ISBN Play, and What’s Its Purpose?

• • • • • • It will improve the likelihood that your book will be discovered and purchased.
          • Your number links bookstores, libraries, and other businesses to your book’s information.
          • It will allow you to market and distribute your book effectively across various self-publishing platforms.
          • Almost all retailers require it.
          • Your ISBN will enable you to collect and analyze sales data.
          • Your number ensures your book information is stored in the Books In Print Database, which is consulted by retailers, publishers, and libraries worldwide.

While you are considering your ISBNs and collecting information, add your book to the National Library of Australia. We wrote a comprehensive article detailing how to do it and the cultural importance of preserving all books written and published in Australia for future generations.

The full article about The National Library of Australia and Australian Self-Published Author Requirements is available here. If you’re a new author, it’s well worth a read.

International Standard Book Number FAQs for Australian Authors

In this section, we’ll examine some ISBN FAQs that authors may have when deciding whether to purchase an ISBN.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. What is an ISBN? – ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, a unique 13-digit catalog number assigned to different book formats, including ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, audiobooks, and board books.
               2. Do I need an ISBN? – Libraries, bookstores, wholesalers, and retailers use ISBNs to identify and purchase books. However, if you’re only releasing an ebook, most online retailers, such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo Writing Life, Amazon KDP, and others, don’t require you to purchase an ISBN.
               3. Does one book title share an ISBN across different formats? – No. Each format of the same title or book should have its own ISBN.
               4. If I unpublish one of my books, can I reuse the ISBN? – No. Once an ISBN has been assigned to a title, it’s linked to that title forever and can’t be used on another title.
               5. Under whose name should I purchase the ISBN? – If you’re self-publishing under your imprint, you should purchase the ISBN using the imprint name. If you’re self-publishing under your author’s name, you should purchase the ISBN using your author’s name.
               6. Where can I buy an ISBN? – Authors can purchase their ISBNs directly from Thorpe-Bowker Australia in Australia.
               7. Do I need to buy a barcode with my ISBN? – Yes and no. If you’re self-publishing on Amazon KDP and uploading a cover, KDP will use your ISBN to generate a barcode. If you’re self-publishing on IngramSpark, their generated cover templates include the barcode. If you want to take your formatted print interior and cover files to a private printer, you will need a barcode. However, online barcode generators can generate a barcode for you for free.

ISBNs for Australian Authors | Conclusion

Thorpe-Bowker is one of the best places to buy an ISBN in Australia.

They have several different ISBN packages. Their packages are designed to give you the best value for money. Of course, the best value for money any new author can get is their 10 x ISBNs for $88, as most books you self-publish will require a minimum of three. Prices will vary by location. However, always purchase through a reputable seller.

If you have any questions about the self-publishing process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, Amazon KDP Keyword and Category Research, manuscript uploading assistance, animated book cover reveal videos, and social media and marketing.

If you’re planning on self-publishing a book in Australia, be sure to read our self-publishing guide, The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Australia. It’s full of practical and valuable tips and advice to help you navigate the self-publishing world, and is perfect for new authors working on their first book.