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 ISBN specifies information such as the book format, the edition, and the publisher. If you’re self-publishing your book under a publishing imprint you created, you should always purchase your ISBNs under that imprint name.

When you release a new book, you’ll need one 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.

Remember, always lock in your title before assigning the information to your ISBNs, as it can be difficult to change or edit your information once it 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 the ISBNs, and once the book has been finalized, go back and complete all the information on the ISBN registrations, such as title, published date, price, formats, etc.

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 anywhere else, you must also source an ISBN for it, as ASINs are only for Amazon.

We recommend sourcing your own ISBNs, allowing you to control where your book is listed. Your book will be ready to publish if you wish to add your book to other self-publishing platforms such as IngramSpark Publishing, Apple Books, or Draft2Digital.

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.
          • Your ISBN will allow you to market and distribute your book effectively across various platforms.
          • Almost all retailers require you to have it.
          • Your ISBN will allow you to collect and analyze any sales information.
          • Your number ensures that your book information will be stored in the Books In Print Database, which is consulted by retailers, publishers, and libraries worldwide.

While considering your ISBNs and collecting the 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 here.

ISBN 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, they will use your ISBN and create 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 depending on where you live. 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 useful tips and advice to help you navigate the self-publishing world, and is perfect for new authors working on their first book.