ISBNs in Australia: What They Are, How to Get One, and What Most Authors Get Wrong

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is the universal identifier for your book — the number that connects your title to every catalogue, distributor, bookseller, and library system in the world. For Australian authors, getting the right ISBN from the right source is one of the most important early decisions you will make.

Why ISBNs Matter for Australian Authors

Without a properly registered ISBN, your book cannot enter the Bowker Books In Print database — the catalogue that Australian bookshops, Booktopia, and library suppliers use to verify and order titles. A book without this registration is effectively invisible to the trade.

More specifically for Australian authors: IngramSpark, which is the primary route to getting your book stocked in Australian bookshops, requires an ISBN for every title. The ISBN you use with IngramSpark must be one you own — not one assigned by another platform.

Where to Get an ISBN in Australia

ISBNs in Australia are issued exclusively through Thorpe-Bowker, the official ISBN agency for Australia and New Zealand. You register at myidentifiers.com.au.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to myidentifiers.com.au
2. Create an account (free)
3. Purchase the number of ISBNs you need
4. Register each ISBN to your specific title and format
5. Add your title to the Books In Print catalogue (included with registration)

ISBN Pricing in Australia (2026)

Quantity	Price (AUD)	Best For
1 ISBN	$44	First-time authors, one format
2 ISBNs	$88	One book, ebook + print
10 ISBNs	$154	Series authors, multiple formats
100 ISBNs	$440	Prolific authors, micro-publishers

Prices are approximate and subject to change. Check myidentifiers.com.au for current rates.

How Many ISBNs Do You Need?

One ISBN per format. If you are publishing a paperback and an ebook, you need two ISBNs. If you add a hardcover later, you need a third.

• Paperback: 1 ISBN
• Ebook (EPUB): 1 ISBN
• Hardcover: 1 ISBN
• Audiobook: 1 ISBN
• Large print edition: 1 ISBN

A revised edition with substantial changes also requires a new ISBN. A reprint of an unchanged book does not.

The Amazon KDP "Free ISBN" Problem

Amazon KDP offers a free ISBN for books published through their platform. This seems convenient, but creates a significant problem for serious self-publishers.

The KDP-assigned ISBN is owned by Amazon. It is registered to Independently published as the publisher. Most importantly: you cannot use a KDP ISBN on IngramSpark or any other distribution platform. The ISBN is locked to KDP's ecosystem.

This means:

• You cannot get your book distributed by IngramSpark using the KDP ISBN
• You cannot access Australian bookshops or Booktopia via IngramSpark
• Your publisher name appears as "Independently published" rather than your own imprint
• If you later want to switch distributors, you need a new ISBN and a new book listing

The fix is straightforward: purchase your own ISBN from Thorpe-Bowker before you upload anywhere. $44 AUD gives you permanent, portable ownership of that identifier.

Setting Up Your Publisher Imprint

When you register your ISBN, Thorpe-Bowker asks for a publisher name. This is your imprint — it can be anything you choose. Common approaches:

• Your own name (e.g., "Jane Smith Books")
• A publishing imprint name you create (e.g., "Saltwater Press")
• Wild Hearts Publishing (if publishing through our Full Flight package)

Your imprint name appears in all catalogues and on your book's copyright page. It signals professionalism and is worth choosing carefully before your first publication.

Registering Your Title in Books In Print

Once you have your ISBN, you must register your title metadata through Thorpe-Bowker's Books In Print database. This registration is what makes your title visible to bookshops, libraries, and Bowker's catalogue.

Metadata to complete:

• Title, subtitle, author name(s)
• BISAC subject categories (choose 2–3)
• Book description (for catalogue)
• Language, country of origin
• Audience (general, young adult, children's, etc.)
• Publication date
• List price and currency

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon KDP?

No — Amazon KDP does not require an ISBN for ebooks (they use their own ASIN system). For print books on KDP, you either use your own ISBN or accept their free one. If you plan to distribute through IngramSpark as well, always use your own ISBN from Thorpe-Bowker.

Do ISBNs expire?

No. An ISBN is permanently assigned to a specific edition and format of your book. It does not expire. However, if you make substantial revisions (new edition), you need a new ISBN.

Can I use an Australian ISBN on international platforms?

Yes. ISBNs are internationally standardised. An ISBN registered in Australia works on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, IngramSpark, and all other platforms worldwide.

What's the difference between an ISBN and an ASIN?

An ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) is Amazon's internal identifier for all products on their platform, including books without ISBNs. ASINs are Amazon-only and have no meaning outside their ecosystem. An ISBN is the universal trade identifier recognised by all booksellers and libraries globally.

Does Wild Hearts Publishing provide ISBNs?

Yes. Our Full Flight package includes an ISBN registered under the Wild Hearts Publishing imprint, which is fully transferrable to your own imprint at any time. If you want your own imprint from day one, we arrange this at cost ($44 AUD per ISBN via Thorpe-Bowker).