Starting a business in Australia

Key Australian questions

• Will the business operate as a sole trader, partnership, company, or trust?
• Does it need an Australian Business Number?
• Will it trade under a name different from the legal name?
• Which tax registrations apply, including GST, PAYG withholding, or other accounts?
• Which state, territory, local, professional, or industry licences apply?
• Does a non-citizen owner need an appropriate visa or approval to run the business in Australia?

Do not confuse identifiers

An ABN identifies a business in Australian government and commercial dealings. A registered business name is used when trading under a name other than the legal name. A company is a separate legal structure registered through the corporate system. These are connected but not interchangeable steps.

Official starting points

• business.gov.au: New businesses
• Australian Business Registration Service
• business.gov.au: Registrations
• Australian Business Licence and Information Service