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Starting and running a business is hard work. But there are many ways you can get help. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Talk to us directly

We know it can be overwhelming to find all the information you need to run a business.

Contact the business.gov.au support team for:

  • information to help you start, run and grow your business
  • help with government grants, programs and services
  • help using the online Business Registration Service.

We’re available from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

You can contact us:

Get professional help with your finances

Staying on top of your finances is an essential part of running a business.

Hire a financial professional to get advice on managing your finances. Accountants, bookkeepers and BAS agents can help you maintain your books and make smart financial choices.

If you’re struggling with money, you can get free, confidential support from a financial counsellor.

Outsource tasks

You don’t have to everything yourself. Consider outsourcing some tasks to contractors or other businesses.

This is especially useful for tasks that are time-consuming or need special skills. For example:

  • website development
  • graphic design
  • bookkeeping
  • IT
  • marketing and advertising.

Attend events and workshops

Go to networking events to:

  • connect with other business owners
  • hear the latest news about your industry and local area
  • promote your business
  • learn skills from other businesses.

Business workshops and seminars cover topics such as:

  • planning for your business
  • record keeping and budgeting
  • understanding intellectual property (IP)
  • making the most of digital tools.

Find grants and other government support

Australia’s governments offer grants and other types of financial help for businesses.

They generally don’t provide funding to start a business.

Use our tool to search for grants, funding and support programs to help your business succeed.

Talk to a business adviser

An expert business adviser can help you:

  • solve business problems
  • find funding
  • grow your industry networks.

Chat to a business adviser online, on the phone or in person. Some business advisers will even visit your business.

Use online government services

The Australian Government’s online services make it quick and easy to:

  • get information
  • manage registrations
  • meet your other business obligations.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offers secure, convenient online options.

You can do most of your business reporting and transactions with the ATO through either:

The IP Australia website has information on patents, trade marks and designs. It includes search tools to make sure your idea, invention or brand isn’t already registered.

Create an account on IP Australia's portal to apply, register, renew and pay for IP rights.

The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) helps you find the licences and other approvals needed for your business.

Answer a few questions and the tool will tell you what you need, including:

  • licences
  • regulations
  • council approvals
  • compliance requirements.

Find licences for your business.

The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) is a free online service. It lets you pay your employees’ super guarantee contributions in a single electronic payment. The SBSCH then transfers the payments to your employees' funds.

You can use this service if you have either:

  • 19 or fewer employees
  • an annual aggregated turnover of $10 million or less.

Find out more about registering for and using the SBSCH on the ATO website.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has resources on protecting your small business from cyber threats.

These resources can help you:

  • understand the risks
  • protect your accounts and devices
  • keep your and your customers’ data secure
  • test your cyber security
  • know what to do if you’ve been hacked.

Find out more on the ACSC website.

Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit has:

  • export guides for Australian businesses
  • laws and regulations in your target markets
  • tools to help you find export markets and check you’re ready to export.

Contact an ombudsman for disputes

Ombudsmen are independent services that help resolve disputes and complaints.

These small business services can provide advice and help you to manage disputes:

If you have a dispute with a federal, state or territory government agency, these government ombudsmen can help.

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