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Registering your new business.

Thank you to our accounting software partner Xero for this great content.

There is a bit of paperwork and people who need to know about your new business. Here are a few fundamentals you need to know.

How to register a business with the government.

There are a few government departments that need to know about your business:

  • Register a business name: Unless you’re trading under your personal name, you’ll need to register a business name. You can do this through the Business Registration Service
  • Get an Australian Business Number (ABN): An ABN is a quick way to identify your business to the government and the tax office. Put it on your invoices to ensure customers don’t withhold pay-as-you-go tax from the amount they pay you. You can apply for an ABN through the Business Registration Service. Find out more about what an ABN is and how to get one.
  • Apply for licences and permits: You may need special authority for certain business activities, such as running a business from home or employing people. Some industries have very specific requirements. Find out what you need from the Australian Business Licence and Information Service.
How do I register a company?

If you’re setting up as a company, you’ll need to choose and register a name and get set up with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). You’ll need to submit documents explaining how your company will operate and identify who the decision-makers will be. You can start the process through the Business Registration Service.

Do I need to tell any other regulators?

There may be some more to do if you’re entering a regulated industry. A caterer, for example, needs to be registered and have a food control plan – and possibly a liquor license. Speak to friends in the industry, or your industry representative body to find out if there are special requirements.

Should I trademark a business name?

You can legally protect a business name and logo to prevent others from mimicking your identity. This can be a valuable step for businesses that plan to invest a lot in making their brand widely known.

This area of the law can get complicated – especially if you expand into overseas markets and find there’s a business there with a similar name. Ask for advice from a legal professional with experience in this area.

At the very least, use trademark registries (and search engines) to check that no one already has your business name. It’s an easy way to save yourself a lot of hassle.

Make sure your business is protected.

Ensuring you have documentation such as Terms and Conditions of Trade in place is really important for a new business.

They will help you mitigate risk, and ensure you have a robust onboarding system in place to protect your cash flow.

We can tailor your contracts to your operation with our end-to-end solution.

Disclaimer:  EC Credit Control does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.

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