Start a business when you're under 18

One of the first steps in setting up a business is deciding on your business structure.

You can be a sole trader or a partner in a partnership at any age. These business structures are also the easiest to set up.

However, you can’t be a director of a company until you are 18 years old.

You need a tax file number (TFN) to do business.

You can apply for a TFN at any age. If you are:

• 12 years or younger, your parent or guardian must sign your TFN application
• 13 to 15 years old, either you or your parent or guardian can sign your application
• 16 years or older, you must sign the application yourself.

When you have your own business, you’re a self-employed minor. That means there are legal restrictions on the hours you can work.

The laws are different in each state and territory. But generally you can’t work during school hours if you’re still in school.

Depending on your age, there might also be restrictions on the:

• times of day you can work
• maximum hours you can work in a week
• type of work you can do.

In some states and territories, you may need an adult to supervise you at work if you’re under a certain age.

Check the rules with your state or territory government

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

You can hire people to help you run your business. But your staff members might need to complete a check before they can legally work with someone under 18.

The requirements for these checks are different in each state and territory.

Check the rules with your state or territory government

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia