Thinking of starting a business? In Australia? While this may be an overwhelming process, there are various resources out there to guide you. This is a big decision that should be thought about carefully. Some important things to consider are the product, location, and employees. The product or service has to be something that will sell and that is in high demand. It is important to be honest with oneself in deciding whether or not the product or service is marketable. Second, the location is very crucial, in the sense that customers/clients need access to your product, and it must be visible to the public. This will take some effective advertising and marketing. Finally, an owner must decide what type of employees would most benefit the company. There must be a strategy in place for hiring employees, deciding on wages, training programs, and how to end employment.

If it is a good and not a service that is being sold, it is important to note that goods imported into Australia must be cleared by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. There are permits, regulations, and requirements that businesses must abide by when importing goods, and there are costs involved.


It may take a while to actually begin selling the product/service, because one must analyze all aspects of the business and make firm decisions. Once these decisions are made, the owner must obtain an Australian Business Number, which is an 11-digit number that businesses use to identify themselves. Businesses are required to put this number on documents and transactions in order for others to identify them.

It is necessary to be informed about taxes in relation to the company. There are different regulations for residents and non-residents of Australia. Keeping track of reports and activity statements will be required in order to pay the taxes quickly and efficiently.

Many business owners in Australia run home-based businesses. There are several requirements that must be met through the government, and some of these differ from other businesses. Insurance, taxation, and registration are all important aspects of starting a home-based business. The first, and most important, question that must be asked is whether or not the home is the best location for the business. Once this is confirmed, the town planning requirements can be discussed.

For further research, some useful websites for starting a business in Australia are the following:

australia.gov.au
ausindustry.gov.au
businessenterprisecentres.gov.au
commercialisationaustralia.gov.au
enterpriseconnect.gov.au
ministersmediareleases.gov.au

Good luck!