Starting a business
Starting a 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.
Taxation
Taxation legislation is administered by the federal and state and territory governments. Before you can begin operating your new business you'll need to know what you must do to comply with government taxation regulations. As well as applying for an Australian Business Number (ABN), Goods and Services Tax (GST), Tax File Number (TFN) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), you may be required to pay state and territory land tax, pay-roll tax and other duties. This page provides information about the different taxes that may apply, paying tax and managing taxation records.
Registering a business
Registering a business name in the state or territory in which you operate is compulsory. New companies must register with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). This page will help you find out what you need to know and where to go for company registration and business name registration.
Licences and permits
It is important to have the correct business licences and permits required to legally operate your business. This page can help you find business licence and permit information from the federal, state and territory, and local governments.
Grants and financial assistance
Grants, funding programs and industry assistance are available from the federal and state and territory governments. This page provides information on what grants and other assistance are available for starting and expanding your business, research and development, innovation and exporting.
Home-based business
If you are running a home-based business there is a range of government requirements that might apply to you. Things to consider when running a business from home include taxation, employment, council approval and licensing. Find links from this page to what you need to know about setting up and running your home-based business.
Employing people
Employing staff carries certain legal responsibilities with respect to your employees. This page provides information and links regarding your obligations as an employer in relation to your employees' awards, wages and conditions of employment, workplace safety and dismissal.
Tenders and contracts
Government tenders and other opportunities for selling goods or providing services to government agencies are available through many websites. This page provides links to tenders, contracts, purchasing and business opportunities with the federal, state and territory and local governments.
Closing, selling or winding up a business
When closing, selling or winding up a business there are a number of government regulations concerning company and business name deregistration, employee payments and cancellation of taxation registrations to be met. Find out more about what you need to do when you close down or sell your business.
Importing
Importing of goods into Australia is affected by government regulation. All goods must be cleared by Customs, duty and taxes may be payable and import permits and quarantine permits and/or treatment may apply. Find out what to do before you begin importing goods into Australia.
Exporting
Exporting of goods from Australia is controlled by laws and government policies. Goods may not be exported unless all the necessary export permits have been obtained from the relevant permit-issuing agency. The federal and state and territory governments provide a wide range of services to new exporters including advice and information about getting into exporting and assistance on the ground in foreign markets.
Franchises
Franchises in Australia are bound by the Franchising Code of Conduct which requires franchisors to disclose specific information and follow certain rules. Assistance for small business operators who are buying, extending or renewing a franchise, or who need help with resolving disputes may also be available from state and territory governments.
Retail leasing
States and territory governments are responsible for commercial and retail tenancies, each having its own retail tenancy legislation or regulations. The federal government provides additional protection against unfair trading under the Trade Practices Act 1974 and Corporations Law. This page provides links to information about retail and commercial tenancy legislation.
Statistics and market analysis
Statistical data and other market analysis information is available to assist businesses to start and expand.
Superannuation
Employers have certain superannuation obligations for their staff. Under the superannuation guarantee legislation, super contributions for staff are a percentage of their earnings base. Employers who don't pay enough superannuation contributions will have to pay the Superannuation Guarantee Charge. Find more information about your superannuation requirements from this page.
Advice and support
Small business can take advantage of a broad range of advice and support offered by the federal, state and territory and local governments. These services include information and advice on starting and expanding a business, obtaining funding and training.
Coming from overseas
The federal government provides information for business people who want to migrate to Australia to start a business, or employers who wish to employ migrants. Advice and assistance is also available for foreign investors who want to invest in Australia and foreign companies wishing to register in Australia.
Training and apprenticeships
Business owners can take advantage of a number of training services and programs available to them when employing trainees and apprentices. Incentives and subsidies are available from the federal and state and territory governments to help reduce the cost of training employees.
Fair Trading
Government laws and industry self-regulation for fair trading help businesses to ensure that they are competitive and do not abuse their market power.
E-business is changing the way that people are doing business. By trading online businesses can save time and money, reduce overheads and gain access to new markets and significantly increase profits. The federal and state and territory governments offer information and services that will help you get your business online.
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