Help and support

Help your business grow by using one of the many free planning tools available.

Business planning templates and checklists

Our free suite of business planning templates, checklists and apps can help you plan your business no matter which stage you’re at.

ATO support for small business

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offers a range of tools and services to help you get your tax and superannuation right.

Learn more at supporting your small business.

ATO app

The ATO has a free ATO app to make it easier for you to conduct your tax and super affairs on the go.

Through the app, you can:

• calculate the amount of tax to withhold from employee salary and wage payments
• check an Australian business number (ABN) using ABN Lookup
• set important due date reminders and alerts for tax and super obligations
• monitor your financial health with the business performance check tool.

Sole traders can also use the ATO app to enrol their voiceprint for quick and easy access to the ATO’s online services for individuals and sole traders.

business.gov.au news

Subscribe to business.gov.au news updates to receive the latest business news on:

• changes to regulations that you need to be aware of
• government grants and programs
• tools to help you start and run your business
• business events and training opportunities.

ATO’s Small business newsroom

The ATO’s Small business newsroom brings you tax and super news in short, easy-to-read articles. You’ll get an email update every few weeks. The ATO will automatically include you in this service.

Fair Work Ombudsman’s newsletter

If you’re an employer, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s newsletter will keep you up-to-date with important employment issues.

A tax practitioner can help you prepare or lodge your tax returns, notices or statements, or provide you with tax advice.

Tax practitioners include:

• tax agents
• BAS agents
• tax (financial) advisers.

Before accepting the services of a tax practitioner, make sure they are registered with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB).

You can check to see if a tax practitioner is registered by:

• looking for the registered tax practitioner symbol
• checking the TPB Register.

Did you know?

Financial advisers who provide tax (financial) advice services for a fee or other reward also need to be registered.

General business advice and help

Search our Expertise & advice tool to find free or low-cost business advisers or mentor services near you.

Legal help for employers

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) provides free services to help employers with their legal obligations in the workplace.

Check out the FWO’s information for small business for help on:

• getting started – the basics, hiring employees and registering for an account with FWO
• employment related record-keeping
• finding the right pay
• calculating leave
• managing employees
• ending employment
• managing payroll integrity.

The FWO also has a Small Business Helpline on 13 13 94 to help you with any questions you may have on your workplace relations obligations.

Depending on your business, you may be eligible for government grants and assistance to help you. Use our Grants & programs search to check out what’s available and if you’re eligible.

Find further business advice and support at your state or territory business and industry website:

• NSW Industry
• QLD Business and industry portal
• Business Victoria
• WA Government
• Business SA
• NT Department of Business
• TAS Business
• ACT Business Gateway