Services / ISBNs and Legal Deposit
ISBNs and legal deposit, handled properly
Two small steps that make your book official. We register your ISBNs and lodge your book for legal deposit, so authors in Sydney, Melbourne and across Australia can publish with everything in order.
What an ISBN does
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is the unique number that identifies your book to bookshops, libraries, distributors and online stores. Each format needs its own ISBN, so your paperback, hardback and ebook each receive a separate number.
ISBNs in Australia
In Australia, ISBNs are issued by the national ISBN agency, Thorpe-Bowker. We register your ISBNs, assign one to each format, record your book's details correctly and add the barcode to your back cover.
Legal deposit
Australian law requires publishers, including self-published authors, to deposit published books with the National Library of Australia, and with their state or territory library. Legal deposit preserves your book as part of Australia's published record. We lodge your book with the right libraries so you meet your obligations.
Cataloguing information
We also make sure your copyright page includes the right publishing details, so libraries and bookshops can catalogue your book accurately.
Common questions
Do I need an ISBN for my ebook?
Amazon Kindle does not require one, but other stores and libraries do. We recommend a separate ISBN for every format you publish.
Can I use a free ISBN from Amazon?
You can, but it lists Amazon as the publisher and cannot be used elsewhere. Your own ISBN keeps you in control.
Is legal deposit compulsory?
Yes. Australian publishers, including self-published authors, are required to deposit published works with the National Library and their state or territory library.
Start with a free manuscript review
Send us your manuscript and we will reply within two business days with honest notes and a fixed quote. There is no obligation, and you never pay for anything you did not agree to upfront.
Related services
Print and Ebook Distribution
Your book listed on Amazon worldwide and through IngramSpark to bookshops and libraries.
Learn more →Book Formatting
Print interiors and ebook files that read cleanly on paper, Kindle, Apple Books and Kobo.
Learn more →Book Publishing
Full self-publishing support, from edited manuscript to a book on sale in print and ebook.
Learn more →