Are you ready to start a business?

Understand what's involved in starting a business and make sure you're ready.

Difference between a business and a hobby

Find out if you're running a business or a hobby so you know your obligations.

Calculate the start-up costs of your business

Work out how much money you need to get your business up and running.

Choose a business name

Find out how to choose a business name and check if it's available.

Business names, trading names and legal names

Learn which names you need for your business and what to do if you’re using a trading name.

Legal essentials for business

Find out the main laws that may apply to your business.

Choose your business location

Follow our tips to help you choose the right premises in a good area for your business.

Business addresses

Learn the difference between a principal place of business, registered office and postal address.

Leasing or buying vehicles and equipment

Understand the differences between leasing and buying and which might work better for your business.

Develop a new product

Understand the steps to develop a new product.

Get help for your business

Understand where to get advice, build your skills, connect with other business owners and more.

Start a business when you're under 18

Understand what you need to do to start a business as a young person.

Start a business in Australia as a foreigner

Understand how to get the right visa and your other obligations for running a business.

Starting an Indigenous business

Understand how to start an Indigenous business and what support is available.

Buy an existing business

Find out what you need to do if you want to buy a business.

Buy a franchise

Learn how to assess if you're ready to buy a franchise, what you need to do when signing a franchise agreement and your legal and tax obligations.

Set up a market stall

Find out what obligations you need to comply with to run a market stall.

Starting a business checklist

Use this checklist to tick off the important steps to take in the early stages of your business.

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