Legal, Registration and Compliance

The Business Registration Guide is a helpful resource that breaks down the essential steps needed to officially start a business in Australia. It details what actions you need to take, where to go for help, and the order in which to complete these steps.

The guide also covers frequent challenges that many new businesses owners face, such as applying too soon, submitting multiple ABN requests, getting the registration sequence wrong, or mistakenly thinking that small businesses don’t need permits. This guide is designed to walk you through the entire process to make sure you have the support you need at every stage.

An ABN, or Australian Business Number, is one of the first official registrations needed when starting a business. The How to Register an ABN guide gives you a simple, step-by-step explanation of the registration process. It covers what it means to be "carrying on a business," the information you'll need to gather before you apply, and how your business's chosen structure can influence the application. 

When starting a business, it's important to know that you might need more than just an Australian Business Number (ABN). Depending on what your business does and where it's located, you may also need various licenses or permit to conduct your business. This applies to all kinds of businesses, whether they're run from home, on the go, online, or in multiple locations.

The requirements you need will depend on your specific business activities and how they could affect food, land, transportation, or local culture.

To figure out what you need, read our Licences and Permits guide, or you can use helpful tools like the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS), your state government resources, or your local council. It’s a good idea to check these things early to avoid problems later, such as fines, insurance issues, bidding delays, and damage to your business reputation.

GST is a common point of confusion for new business owners. The Registering for GST resources explain when registration is mandatory, when it is optional, and what obligations come with it. GST impacts pricing, invoicing, record keeping, and reporting through Business Activity Statements, so understanding it early reduces the receiving costly bills or fines.

This section also points you to official guidance from the Australian Taxation Office so you can make decisions based on clear, government-approved information.

Business insurance is an essential part of operating legally and responsibly. While registrations make your business visible to government and regulators, insurance helps protect you, your business, and others if something goes wrong.

Insurance requirements vary depending on what your business does, where it operates, and who it works with. Many councils, venues, clients, insurers, and government buyers will require proof of insurance before allowing work to begin. Having the right cover in place early can prevent serious financial and legal consequences later.

The Insurances section helps you understand common types of business insurance, decide what cover is relevant to your activities and the Insurances Register Template can help you keep track of them as your business grows.