Business types in this industry

The administrative and support services industry includes: 

  • employment agencies
  • administrative services
  • domestic and commercial cleaning
  • pest control
  • gardening services
  • packaging services
  • debt collection
  • call centres
  • other support activities for the day-to-day operations of other businesses or organisations

Industry statistics

Industry research is an important part of planning for your business, it may help you identify: 

  • economic and industry trends
  • establish or improve your business
  • help you keep pace with your industry

See statistics for Australian Industry on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website.

The Australian Taxation Office provides industry benchmarks to help you compare your business's performance against similar businesses in your industry. Read about the benchmarks for support services.

Check out the profile for the administrative and support services industry, on the Labour Market Insights website. This will give you an idea of what's happening in the Australian job market.

Legislation, standards and initiatives

It’s important that you’re aware of the laws that apply to the administrative and support services industry. Key legislation includes:

Select the relevant topic below for specific industry and business legislation.

Learn about fair trading

Check the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission's (ACCC) website for more information on:

Licences and permits

State, territory and local governments manage the licences and permits for the administrative and support services industry. Select the relevant service type below for some of the licences and permits you may need.

  •  Collection work license (for repossessing goods and debt collection).

  • approval to dispose of trade waste (contact your local council)
  • registration for industrial chemicals
  • high risk work licence
  • installing permanent watering systems
  • permit for tree removal
  • collecting materials on crown land
  • certificate of competency for pest management technicians
  • pest management or control licence
  • permit to move problem wildlife

  • license to to carry out an employment agency business.
  • labour hire license.

Find the licences and permits you need for your business

Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) to find information on the licences you may need.

Search now

Taxation

All Australian businesses have goods and services tax (GST) obligations. Know your GST obligations and register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure you can claim your GST credits.

Employing people

If you employ staff, you need to comply with Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the administrative and support services industry.

Use our checklist for small business owners to help you meet Australian laws when hiring an employee. We’ve also included some tips that might help you through the hiring process.

Hiring employees

If you're ready to employ someone, create an employment contract tailored to the award and your business needs.

Employment Contract Tool

Workplace health and safety (WHS)

There are general work health and safety regulations for all businesses, however there are state and territory WHS requirements that apply to businesses in the administrative and support services industry:

Check out WHS advice, including WHS duties and how you can manage risks.

Safe Work Australia

Intellectual property

It is important to protect your intellectual property when starting and growing your business. ‘Intellectual property’ (IP) is the creation of original ideas, inventions or brands.

If you have an administrative or support services business, you may need to consider different types of IP. For example, this may be a patent to protect a new invention, a trademark to protect your brand or plant breeder's rights for a new plant variety. 

Understand the different types of IP protection for your business.

Intellectual property

Environment

The main environmental concerns that businesses in the administrative and support services industry should be aware of include:

  • protection of parks, flora and fauna
  • protection of heritage sites
  • water conservation
  • sustainability
  • strategies to reduce pesticide spray drift
  • proper disposal of pesticides and other harmful chemicals
  • proper disposal of trade waste
  • biodegradable packaging options
  • waste management and reduction.

Get advice on how you can manage your impact on the environment.

Manage your environmental impact

Find support

If you need advice or support, consider getting help from your industry association, a business adviser, accountant or legal professional.

Explore grants and programs relevant to your industry

Grants and programs

Read next

Find out more about product safety, labelling, warranty and refund regulations.

Fair trading

Find out more about insurance options for your business.

Insurance