Setting up a Business - Tools and Tips

Would you like to start your own business?

The following is a useful guide to help you discover what is necessary, and directs you to several useful websites.

Research
Business Plan
Structure
Australian Business Number
Register your Business or Company Name
Register for Taxation
Licenses, Permits & Regulations
Premises and Insurance
Growing your Business

The Federal Government has an excellent guide that provides a lot of information you should consider. Visit Starting your business checklist to learn more.

1. Research

The single most important thing you can do before starting your own business is research to understand your customers, competitors and industry.

The following page from Small Business Victoria will provide greater information on how and what to research before continuing with the process of starting your own business. For specific demographic and business information about Monash visit Our Economic Profile

2. Business Plan

A business plan is a useful tool to help you understand what you must do to make your business a success. It will give you an accurate picture of how your business will operate and cover areas such as:

How you will structure your product and/or service so it sells
Market and competitors
Marketing strategy
Financial objectives
Business structure, management and ownership
Action plan

Small Business Victoria offers numerous templates and guides for business plans. Please see the following page for details: Business Victoria - Write a business plan

3. Business Structure - Sole Trader, Partnership, Company?

To pay your business taxes, claim deductions for business expenses, open accounts and trade legally, you need to choose the business structure that will be right for you.

For new businesses the three most popular structures are:

Sole Trader (only one business owner)
Partnership (more than one business owner)
Proprietary Limited Company (a separate legal body with its own tax return)

For more detailed information visit the ATO - Choosing your business structure

4. Register for your Australian Business Number (ABN)

All businesses need an Australian Business Number (ABN), which can be found at the Australian Business Register.

Businesses can register for GST, PAYG withholding, AUSkey and a business name in the same online session as their ABN application.

5. Register your Business or Company Name

Business names are registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission at ASIC - Registering a business name.

When you start a new business you should consider protecting your Intellectual Property.

For an overview of what constitutes Intellectual Property, visit www.ipaustralia.gov.au

6. Register for taxation

The Australian Taxation Office website has a range of free resources to help you with your tax obligations and calculations, including a free checklist for new businesses.

Please visit the following page and navigate towards your registration: www.ato.gov.au

7. Find out about licences, permits and registrations

The licences, permits and registrations you need will mainly depend on what sort of business you are running and what activities your business will be undertaking.

Much of the information specific to the Monash region can be found here: Permits and Regulations

8. Choose the right premises and insure your business

When choosing your business premises you need to ensure whether your business:

Is in the right zone
Will require a planning permit
Should be run from home

The Planning department at Council can provide you with the information you need. Please see our section on Planning for further information.

What is the best location?

If you wish to start your business in Monash, visit our Economic Profile to see the demography of businesses in the City of Monash.

Insuring your Business

Insuring your premises and contents is essential. To investigate the insurance needs of your business, you should consider using the services of an insurance broker.

For more information and to find a broker in your area, visit the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) website: www.niba.com.au