NBN LOC ID vs AVC ID: What's the Difference?
Location ID Vs Access Virtual Circuit Identifier
If you’re dealing with an installation of a NBN connection, you may have come across terms such as NBN LOC ID, AVC ID, Service ID, and Location ID.
Whilst these identifiers can look similar, they serve different purposes.
Understanding the difference can be particularly important when ordering an NBN service, troubleshooting a connection, or switching NBN providers.
What is an NBN LOC ID?
An NBN LOC ID, short for Location ID, is an identifier used to identify a specific physical premises within the NBN network.
Think of it as the NBN’s reference for where a service is located.
An NBN LOC ID may look something like:
LOC000033782101
The important thing to remember is that the LOC ID relates to the premises, rather than a specific internet service.
For example, if you have a business premises with multiple NBN connections, those services can be associated with the same physical location while having different service identifiers.
What is an NBN LOC ID used for?
An NBN Location ID can be used during various NBN processes, including:
- NBN service qualification
- Service ordering
- Identifying a premises
- NBN appointment management
- Address and location verification
- Service provisioning
This is particularly useful in situations where a street address alone isn’t enough to uniquely identify a premises.
For example, an apartment complex may have dozens or even hundreds of individual premises sharing the same street address. An NBN Location ID helps identify the relevant location within NBN systems.
Is the LOC ID the same as my address?
No.
Your street address identifies your property in the real world, while the LOC ID is an identifier used within NBN systems.
You should therefore think of them as two different pieces of information:
Street address = physical address
LOC ID = NBN location identifier
What is an NBN AVC ID?
An NBN AVC ID stands for Access Virtual Circuit Identifier.
Unlike a LOC ID, an AVC ID identifies an NBN service or connection.
An AVC ID generally looks like:
AVC123456789100
The AVC ID is associated with a particular NBN service rather than simply the physical premises.
This distinction is important because a single location can have multiple NBN services.
For example:
One premises
→ LOC ID: LOC000033782101
→ NBN Service 1: AVC123456789100
→ NBN Service 2: AVC987654321000
Both services may be at the same location, but they have different AVC IDs.
What does AVC mean in NBN?
AVC stands for Access Virtual Circuit.
In technical terms, an AVC represents a logical connection within the NBN network.
For most residential customers, you don’t need to understand the underlying network architecture to use the identifier.
The practical takeaway is simply:
- The AVC ID identifies the particular NBN service.
This is why an AVC ID can be particularly important when dealing with service transfers or multiple NBN connections at the same premises.
What does AVC mean in NBN?
AVC stands for Access Virtual Circuit.
In technical terms, an AVC represents a logical connection within the NBN network.
For most residential customers, you don’t need to understand the underlying network architecture to use the identifier.
The practical takeaway is simply:
- The AVC ID identifies the particular NBN service.
This is why an AVC ID can be particularly important when dealing with service transfers or multiple NBN connections at the same premises.
NBN LOC ID vs AVC ID
| NBN LOC ID | NBN AVC ID | |
| What does it identify? | Physical premises | NBN service |
| What does it mean? | Location ID | Access Virtual Circuit Identifier |
| Typical prefix | LOC | AVC |
| Example | LOC000033782101 | AVC123456789100 |
| Associated with | A location | A specific NBN connection |
| Can multiple services exist? | Multiple services can share the same location | Each service has its own AVC ID |
| Useful for | Location and ordering processes | Identifying and transferring a service |
| Changes when changing providers? | Generally remains associated with the premises | A new service may receive a new AVC ID |
Why is my NBN AVC ID important?
Your AVC ID can be particularly important when changing NBN providers.
When transferring an existing NBN service, the AVC ID can be used to identify the specific service being transferred.
This is useful because there may be more than one NBN service associated with a particular premises.
For example, a business could have:
- An NBN connection for general internet access
- A separate connection for backup internet
- Another connection for a different business unit
If all of these services are associated with the same location, the AVC ID helps distinguish between the individual services.
This can help reduce the risk of transferring or modifying the wrong connection.
Where can I find my NBN AVC ID?
If you’re wondering “Where do I find my NBN AVC ID?”, your current internet provider should be able to provide it.
Depending on your provider, your AVC ID may be available through:
- Your NBN or internet bill
- Your online customer portal
- Your provider’s mobile app
- Your provider’s customer
- support team
Your AVC ID is not necessarily the same as your account number, customer number, username, or service number.
If you’re changing providers and have been asked for your AVC ID, it’s best to provide the exact identifier supplied by your current provider.
Does my NBN AVC ID change
when I change providers?
An AVC ID is associated with an NBN service, so you shouldn’t assume that your AVC ID will remain the same after changing providers.
When transferring an NBN service, the new provider and NBN systems manage the relevant service identifiers as part of the transfer process.
If you’re moving to a new provider, ask them which information they require to identify your existing NBN service.
Can one NBN location have multiple AVC IDs?
Yes.
This is one of the most important reasons to understand the difference between a LOC ID and AVC ID.
A location can have multiple NBN services.
The LOC ID identifies the location, while each AVC ID identifies an individual service.
This distinction can be particularly relevant for:
- Businesses
- Multi-dwelling buildings
- Offices
- Retail premises
- Locations with backup NBN connections
- Properties with multiple active services
Is an NBN LOC ID the same as an AVC ID?
No.
An NBN LOC ID and AVC ID identify different things.
The LOC ID identifies the physical NBN location, while the AVC ID identifies a particular NBN service.
They work together, but they aren’t interchangeable.
A useful way to think about it is:
Location → LOC ID
Service → AVC ID
LOC ID vs AVC ID: Which one do I need?
It depends on what you’re trying to do.
If you’re dealing with the physical premises or NBN location, you may need the LOC ID.
If you’re dealing with a specific NBN service or connection, you may need the AVC ID.
If you’re switching NBN providers, your new provider will tell you which information they need to complete the transfer.
When in doubt, don’t guess which identifier is required. Ask your NBN provider to confirm exactly which ID they need.
