Allocating barcode numbers
GTIN-13
How you allocate your GTIN-13
identification number will first depend on whether you have been assigned a nine digit or a seven digit company prefix . The nine digit company prefix was first issued by GS1 Australia in 1996, to reduce the range of product numbers allocated to each company and to conserve the total pool of numbers available for allocation.
Nine digit prefix
(for companies who joined GS1 Australia after May 1996)
GS1 Australia allocates the first nine digits (the GS1 Company Prefix) to you as a member company. You then allocate the next three digits (the item reference). Always number each item to the lowest level of identification. For example: size, colour, model, finish, type, style. It is recommended that you number sequentially starting from 000 through to 999. The last digit is a mathematically calculated Check Digit
that ensures the whole number is correct.
Calculate your Check Digit/s.
Seven digit prefix
(for companies who joined GS1 Australia before May 1996)
Australia allocates the first seven digits (the GS1 Company Prefix) to you as a member company. You then allocate the next three digits (the item reference). Always number each item to the lowest level of identification. For example: size, colour, model, finish, type, style. It is recommended that you number sequentially starting from 00,000 through to 99,999. The last digit is a mathematically calculated check digit that ensures the whole number is correct.
Calculate your Check Digit/s.
More information
For information on how many numbers you can have access to, contact GS1 Australia's Administration Department on 1300 366 033.
