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Business

Starting a Business

Starting a New Business

The Derwent Valley is a great place to start a new business. Starting your own business can be an exciting time, but there are many things to consider before you start.  Investing time in proper planning is important to ensuring you have a successful business. Take a look at the resources below to find out about what steps you need to go through to get yourself established. If you need help there are support available. Check out the 'Support for new Businesses' section below.

Permits and Licenses Information

Whether you have an idea for a new business, have bought a business, or are looking to expand an existing one you may need one or more permits to get your business up and running. The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) helps you find the government licences, permits, approvals, registrations, codes of practice, standards and guidelines you need to know about to meet your compliance responsibilities.

If you are operating a food business, running  events, undertaking building work, operating a business from home, using the footpath for outdoor seating, or erecting signage for your business then there may be zoning considerations or specific permits that need to be issued by Council. Get in touch with Council's planning team (Phone: 03 6261 8500) to discuss your circumstances and what may be required.

Registering a Business

It’s not mandatory to have an Australian Business Number (ABN), but there are a few good reasons why you should.  Having an ABN allows you to:
  • facilitate a single Business Activity Statement (BAS)
  • confirm your business identity to others when ordering and invoicing
  • avoid Pay as You Go (PAYG) tax on payments you receive
  • claim Goods and Services Tax (GST) credits
  • claim energy grants credits
  • obtain an Australian domain name

You can register your new business for an ABN at the Australian Business Register website.

You will generally need to register a business name if you carry on a business or trade within Australia and you are not trading under your own name.  Visit the Australian Securities & Investments Commission website to register your business name.

Support for New Businesses

Council offers a range of networking opportunities and business events throughout the year that may assist you during your start-up.  You can also subscribe to Council’s business register to keep up to date with Economic Development News relevant to our region.

There are also many helpful online resources you can access during a new business start-up.

  • Business Tasmania offers information and advice on business start-ups including:
    • how to write a business plan
    • choosing the right business structure
    • finding the right insurance
    • starting a home-based business
    • buying an existing business or franchise
    • and much more

    Visit the Business Tasmania website for more information

  • Enterprise Centres Tasmania is a state wide network of independent business advisors. They offer a free business advice service for Tasmanian businesses to make key decisions that will help their business reach its potential. They can assist by offering advice on:
    • Starting or expanding a business
    • managing your cash flow
    • dealing with unforeseen events
    • developing a marketing strategy
    • taking your business online
    • \commercialising an idea
    • exporting your product
    • identifying new opportunities and networks.

    For more information go to https://www.enterprisecentres.tas.gov.au/

  • Rural Business Tasmania assists small regional businesses, and the rural community manage the ever-evolving demands and challenges facing primary and regional business. They provide a Small Business Support Program to assist small rural and regional businesses in Tasmania to understand their financial position, identify options and implement plans to improve their viability and build resilience for future prosperity.

    Find out more at  https://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/
  • The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) offers information and advice for new business start-ups about:
    • advertising and selling
    • managing online reviews
    • business rights and protections
    • treating customers fairly
    • and much more

    Visit the ACCC website for more information –http://www.accc.gov.au/business

  • The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offers information and advice for new business start-ups on:
    • choosing your business structure
    • setting up your invoicing, payments and records systems
    • and much more

    Visit the ATO website for more information – https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Starting-your-own-business/