Setting up your own business can be an exciting time, but there are many things to consider before you start.  Investing time in proper planning is important to ensuring you have a successful business.

When starting up a new business you may need assistance and advice with building permits, planning permits and other regulations.

For more information on if this applies to your new business, please contact our Economic Development unit on 5321 6111.

The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) is a quick and easy online service that will help you find out about all the licences, permits, approvals, standards and guidelines that you need to know about.

Simply enter your business details into the ABLIS search and receive your personalised report that includes:

• Local, State and Australian Government regulations and requirements relevant to your business
• Licence fees
• Application processes and forms
• Periods of cover
• Renewals

Link:

https://ablis.business.gov.au/pages/home.aspx

It’s not mandatory to have an Australian Business Number (ABN), but there are a few good reasons why you should.  Having an ABN allows you to:

• facilitate a single Business Activity Statement (BAS)
• confirm your business identity to others when ordering and invoicing
• avoid Pay as You Go (PAYG) tax on payments you receive
• claim Goods and Services Tax (GST) credits
• claim energy grants credits
• obtain an Australian domain name

Please visit the Australian Business Register website to register your new business for an ABN.

Link:

https://abr.gov.au/For-Business,-Super-funds---Charities/Applying-for-an-ABN/

You will generally need to register a business name if you carry on a business or trade within Australia and you are not trading under your own name.  Please visit the Australian Securities & Investments Commission website to register your business name.

Link:

http://asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC.NSF/byHeadline/Registering%20a%20business%20name

Council offers a range of workshops and business events throughout the year that may assist you during your start-up.  You can also subscribe to Council’s quarterly eNews to keep up to date with Economic Development News relevant to our Shire.

There are also many helpful online resources you can access during a new business start-up.

Business Victoria offers information and advice on business start-ups including:

• how to write a business plan
• choosing the right business structure
• finding the right insurance
• starting a home-based business
• buying an existing business or franchise
• and much more

Please visit the Business Victoria website for more information.

Link:

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) offers information and advice for new business start-ups about:

• advertising and selling
• managing online reviews
• business rights and protections
• treating customers fairly
• and much more

Please visit the ACCC website for more information.

Link:

http://www.accc.gov.au/business

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offers information and advice for new business start-ups on:

• choosing your business structure
• setting up your invoicing, payments and records systems
• and much more

Please visit the ATO website for more information.

Link:

https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Starting-and-running-your-small-business/Starting-your-business/