Start-up Businesses in Australia
Government Information For Start-Up Businesses in Australia
AUS Government's "Business Entry Point" www.business.gov.au
NSW Government's Small Business site www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au
ASIC National Names Index www.search.asic.gov.au/gns001.html
Business Names in Australia
Under
the Business Names Act 1962 every business name must be
registered, except where the name is simply that of the
owner.
Individuals (microbusinesses / sole traders) can conduct
business in NSW under their own name without registering
a business name, provided you don't change or add anything
to your name. If you alter your name, add anything to
it or use a different name, then it must be registered.
To
conduct business in NSW under any other name, that name
must first be registered as a business name.
You are not required to register a business name with
the Office of Fair Trading if you decide to become a company
under the Corporation Law (ASIC).
Businesses are registered for three years. There is a
registration fee and a renewal fee for business names.
Business name registration can be done over the counter
at any Office of Fair Trading Centre. To locate the nearest
Centre, call 13 32 20 or log on to the Office of Fair
Trading website at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.
To
check on the ownership of a business name, see the business
names section at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
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Business Registration in Australia
Australian Business Numbers (ABN)
All businesses are required to register for an Australian
Business Number (ABN), which is a unique business number
enabling you to conduct business with Government agencies
and other businesses. For more information, including
details of where the ABN must appear (letterhead, invoices,
etc) see the ABN Register at www.abr.business.gov.au
You may register online for an ABN at the Business Entry Point
(www.business.gov.au).
At the same time, you could also apply to register for
Goods and Services Tax (GST); Pay As You Go Withholding; Tax File Number for non-individuals.
Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)
A business operating as a company must register a company
name with ASIC.A business may operate as a separate legal entity in the
form of a company. This is a more complex form of business
structure governed by Corporation Law, which covers how
a company operates and the duties of the directors. The
Corporations Law was updated as the Corporations Act 2001.
www.asic.gov.au
Business Licences Needed in Australia
Depending on the type of business you engage in, you may
require a licence. See the Business Licence Information
Service - www.bli.net.au
Licenced Tradespeople
Before they can begin doing jobs for people, individuals in trades such as plumbing, electricians, bricklaying, and motor vehicle repairs need to obtain licences from various bodies recognised by their local Australian State Government. The Licence Recognition website, operated by the Australian Federal Government provides links to these, and is a central point which identifies the various licences required in different States in Australia. www.licencerecognition.gov.au
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Professional Advisors in Australia
For advice about an appropriate business structure, you
should seek the services of a solicitor, accountant or business adviser.
Solicitors and Business Law Specialists in your area can
be located through the Law Society of NSW's website at www.lawsociety.com.au.
Accountants in your area can be located by contacting
one of the following peak accounting bodies:
CPA Australia (02) 9375 6200 www.cpaaustralia.com.au
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia,
phone (02) 9290 1344 or visit their website at www.icaa.org.au
Association of Taxation and Management Accountants,
phone (02) 9799 6255 or visit their website at www.atma.com.au
National Institute of Accountants, phone (02) 9299
3052 or visit their website at www.nia.org.au
Business
Advisory Service Centres (Government of NSW) can provide
business advice. Call 1300 134 359 of locate your nearest
Centre at http://www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/homebiz/Assistance/sbaserv.htm
Family
Business Australia (FBA)
FBA offers family business improvement opportunities to
family businesses, to help them achieve their family,
business and personal goals. FBA is the premier family
business support organisation in Australia. Members are
businesses of all sizes, from all industry sectors, ranging
from first generation startups to sixth generation businesses.
Annual turnovers range from $100,000 to in excess of $500
million.
www.fambiz.com.au
Micro
Business Network
The Micro Business Network facilitates
networking opportunities for micro businesses, including
home-based businesses, through online networking, forums,
e-newsletters and participation in programs. For more
information visit www.mbn.com.au.
Micro
and Home Business Association (formerly the Home Based
Business Association, ACR)
The Micro and Home Business
Association is the professional association serving and
promoting home-based businesses in the Australian Capital
and South-East NSW region. Through monthly networking
meetings and seminars members share their experiences
and expertise. For more information contact the Association
on 6242 1998 or visit their website at www.mhba.org.au. Chamber
of Commerce
Joining a Chamber of Commerce can also
be another useful way of meeting other local small business
people. To locate your local Chamber of Commerce contact
the NSW Chamber of Commerce on 1300 137 153, or visit
their website at www.thechamber.com.au.
Solo
Home-Based Business Network-North Sydney
The Solo
Home-Based Business Network is a registered association
for small business people who work from home. Solo holds
regular meetings and functions for its members, encouraging
networking and alliance building between its members. www.solobusinessnetwork.com.au
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