Advice, Services & Information

Thinking of starting a business

Are you ready? Need help with planning, raising finance or writing your business plan? These guides and templates can help.

• What do I need before I get started?
  
  Before you get started in business, there are a number of questions you need to ask yourself.
  
  
• Am I ready?
  
  Are you ready to venture into business? Operating a small business is not just about working for yourself, it's also about having the necessary skills and expertise to succeed.
  
  
• How can I get advice & support?
  
  You can take advantage of a broad range of advice and support offered by the Australian Government.
  
  
• What type of business should I start?
  
  Do you want to start a new business, or would it be better to buy an already established one?
  
  
• Which business structure should I choose?
  
  What type of business structure will you use? Will you be a sole trader, in a partnership, a company or a trust?
  
  
• How do I choose a business name?
  
  Choosing the right name will help ensure you're creating the right image for your business. It'll also help to distinguish it from your competitors.
  
  
• How do I write a business plan?
  
  Once you've conducted research into the feasibility of your new business you're ready to write your business plan.
  
  
• How do I write a marketing plan?
  
  A marketing plan assists you to integrate your total marketing effort. It ensures a systematic approach to developing products and services to meet and satisfy your customers' needs.
  
  
• How do I develop an export plan?
  
  Once you've decided to sell your products overseas you need to develop an export plan.
  
  
• How do I develop a succession plan?
  
  Nobody likes to think about it, but it's inevitable that one day you'll leave your business, so it's important that you plan for that day.
  
  
• What planning tools can help me
  
  A variety of government checklists and planning templates are available to assist you.
  
  
  • Are you ready checklists
    
    Useful checklists and tools to help you find out if you are ready to start a business.
    
    
  • Business plan guides & templates
    
    Useful templates and tools to help you develop a business plan.
    
    
  • Marketing plan guides
    
    Useful templates and tools to help you develop a marketing plan.
    
    
  • Export plan guides & tools
    
    Useful templates and tools to help you develop an export plan.