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  • Registrations
    • Register for an ABN
    • Register a business name
    • Register for taxes
    • Register licences and permits
    • Register a company
    • Register a trade mark
    • Cancel registrations
  • Business Information
    • Planning
      • New businesses
      • Business structures & types
      • Business plans
      • Intellectual property
      • Industry information
      • Starting a business guide
    • Finance
      • Accounting
      • Payments & invoicing
      • Seeking finance
      • Managing debt
      • Taxation
      • Superannuation
    • Marketing
      • Marketing & advertising
      • Market research
      • Online presence
      • Social media
      • Develop your marketing plan
    • People
      • Hiring
      • Pay & conditions
      • Managing & developing staff
      • Disputes
      • Contractors
      • Customers
      • Ending employment
      • Suppliers
    • Products & services
      • Fair trading
      • Importing & exporting
      • Pricing
      • Contracts & tenders
      • Product labelling
      • Suppliers
      • Inventory management
      • Customers
    • Risk management
      • Risk assessment & planning
      • Insurance
      • Health & safety
      • Mental health
      • Cyber security
      • Environmental impact
      • Emergency management
    • Change & growth
      • Innovation
      • Restructuring
      • Importing & exporting
      • Growing your business
      • Update your business plans
      • Cancel registrations
    • Exiting
      • Closing your business
      • Selling your business
      • Bankruptcy and insolvency
      • Develop your succession plan
      • Cancel registrations
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Guide to starting a business

Setting up your own business is exciting, but can also be challenging if you are not prepared. This guide will take you through each step of starting a business and help you understand what's ahead.

1. Check if you're ready

  • Prepare yourself for business
  • Difference between a business and a hobby
  • Employee or contractor?
  • Find help for your business

2. Make key decisions

  • Decide on a business structure
  • Learn how to choose a business name
  • Choose your business location

3. Plan for success

  • Develop your business plan
  • Research your market
  • Write your marketing plan
  • Develop your export strategy 

4. Register your business

  • Australia business number (ABN)
  • Business name
  • Tax registration for your business
  • Licences and permits
  • Company
  • Business website

5. Prepare for tax

  • Understand taxation for your business
  • Keep the right records
  • Learn how to lodge and pay for tax

6. Know the law

  • Learn the legal essentials for business
  • Understand fair trading laws
  • Learn the laws in your industry
  • Understand contracts

7. Prepare your finances

  • Learn how to organise your finances
  • Develop a pricing strategy
  • Apply for a business loan
  • Find resources to help finance your business

8. Protect your business

  • Understand business insurance
  • Protect your Intellectual Property
  • Prepare your business for an emergency

9. Set up operations

  • Learn about hiring employees
  • Market your business
  • Manage your suppliers
  • Communicate with customers
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Related Sites

  • Business Registration Service
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  • Centre for Defence Industry Capability
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