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This information bought to you by business entry point in partnership with Federal,
State and Territory Governments.
Business Entry Point
Starting a Business
Starting a small business involves a range of dealings with federal, state, territory
and local government agencies. You'll need to register your business for taxation
purposes, register your business or company name and, in some instances, obtain
business licences and permits. This page provides an overview of what you need to
do in each state and territory when starting up.
Federal Government
Ask for advice about how to get started
Advice and support
A broad range of advice and support is offered by the federal, state and territory and
local governments. Follow this link to a full listing of assistance available across the
three levels of government. Or go to your state below and find contact details for
agencies offering assistance when you are establishing, operating or developing your
business.
What’s on calendar
The federal, state and territory and local governments present many seminars,
workshops and conferences to assist small businesses when starting up. The
Business Entry Point's What's on is a monthly calendar that lists events in city and country areas of Australia.
Determine your business structure
Are you carrying on a business?
To be able to claim business deductions you must be carrying on a business. If you aren't
carrying on a business, your activities may in fact be a hobby.
Business structures
An important decision you need to make when starting a business is choosing the business
structure that best suits your needs and budget. There are four main types of business
structures commonly used by small business in Australia:
• Individuals and sole traders
• Partnerships
• Trusts
• Companies
Apply for ABN, GST, TFN, PAYG
Apply for ABN, GST, TFN
You can apply for your ABN and register for GST, TFN and PAYG through the Business
Entry Point's ABR public site. If all necessary information has been provided in the
application process, you will receive your ABN during the same internet session at the end of
the registration process. Written notification of the ABN and any associated registration
applications (eg GST) will also be mailed to you within 28 days of receipt by the ATO.
Alternatively you can ring the Business Info. line on 13 28 66.
Goods and services tax (GST)
Goods and services tax (GST) is a broad-based tax of 10 per cent on the sale of most goods
and services and other things in Australia. You must register for GST if you are an entity
carrying on an enterprise - if you are in business and not a hobby you probably meet this
requirement, and your annual turnover is at or above the registration turnover threshold of
$50,000 (or $100,000 for non-profit organisations). For more information see the ATO's
Guide to GST for small business.
Register for your new company or business name
Register your company
New companies must be registered with the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission (ASIC) in order to be recognised as Australian companies under the
Corporations Law. Go to the Business Entry Point's Registering a business page for more
details.
Register your business name
A business trades under its business name. Registration of that name is
compulsory in every state and territory from which your business operates
and must be completed before you start trading. Go to the Business Entry
Point's Registering a business page for more details.
Find out what licences or permits you need
Licensing requirements for your state/territory
It is important to find out what licensing requirements apply to your new business, as
there are many different licences, permits, registrations and certificates required by
the federal, state or territory and local governments. Follow the links for your state
below to find out what is required in your state or territory. Or visit the Business Entry
Point's Licences and permits page for more information.
Find out your obligations to employees
Employing people
As an employer you have certain legal obligations to your staff. You must register with the
ATO, pay wages according to the relevant State of Federal award, keep employment records,
comply with occupational health and safety requirements, comply with employment terms
and conditions and pay superannuation. For information about all of these responsibilities,
please go to the Business Entry Point's Employing people page.
Understand your IP rights
Intellectual property and starting a business
Smart Start is IP Australia's guide to managing your IP in a new business. It is designed to
introduce you to basic intellectual property concepts and is structured to take into account
some of the different scenarios that may face a new business.
State and Territory Governments
South Australia
Starting your own business
The Centre for Innovation Business and Manufacturing (CIBM) provides an introduction to
specific elements of operating a business which includes business fact sheets and associated
material.
Licensing for your business
The Business Licence Information Service for South Australia provides you with a
comprehensive list of the licences you need in your business.
Registering your business name
You can find information about registering your business name in South Australia at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs. An application form for registering a new business name (and changing the particulars to an existing business name) can be downloaded and lodged either by mail, fax or in person. A registration fee is applicable. You will need to renew your business name every 3 years. Phone 1300 138 918 for further details.
Business Enterprise Centres
The Business Enterprise Network has many government and private resources available to
anyone who is thinking of starting a business or is currently in business. BECs can assist with
a wide range of advice and support for business, from developing a business plan to what type
of insurance you need. BECs are located in city and country areas throughout Australia.
Local Government
Your business may need to have planning approvals in the form of development consent
and/or building approvals. Your local council will determine whether you need to make any
applications for approval, or to obtain special licences for such things as pollution, hazardous
materials storage or waste disposal. Find a listing of local councils by clicking on your state
below. This will take you to your state's local government directory or in Queensland directly
to Smart Licence.
South Australia
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About NABEC