Skip to main content
  • Login

Removing from your favourites..

Australian Government – Australian Taxation Office Logo Login
  • Home
  • All courses
  • Site tour
  • Cash Flow Kit
  • Create an account
  • Home
  • All courses
  • Site tour
  • Cash Flow Kit
  • Create an account
Register Login

Tell us what you think

Help us improve our website

  • Home
  • All courses
  • Site tour
  • Cash Flow Kit
  • Create an account
  • Register
  • Login

Help us improve our website

Provide feedback

Please rate your experience.

Please leave a comment. We will use your feedback to help improve this website, however we are unable to action or respond to any queries or requests for assistance.

  • Home
  • Setting up your small business
  • Quick links

Setting up your small business

  • Home
  • Setting up your small business
  • Quick links

Setting up your small business

  • Course overview
  • Fast facts
  • Knowledge check
  • Quick links
  • Action plan

Quick links

Getting up and running

As soon as your business is running you’re going to face new obligations. Understanding what you need to do from an early stage will help you stay on top of things. This webpage will give you helpful information on hiring workers, setting up your business banking and setting up your electronic payment systems.

Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services

This program can provide you with low cost, high quality, independent advice on digitalising your business operations, regardless of where you’re located.

business.gov.au

For information on marketing your business and putting together a social media plan visit business.gov.au.

eInvoicing

eInvoicing benefits every business by saving you time and simplifying invoice management in your software. It is the standardised way to send and receive electronic invoices in your software.

Single Touch Payroll (STP)

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is an Australian Government initiative to reduce employers' reporting burdens to government agencies. With STP, you report employees' payroll information to us each time you pay them through STP-enabled software.

ATO Online services

By registering with ATO Online services, you can access a range of tax and super services in one place. ATO online services are convenient, secure and accessible at any time. Use ATO Online services to lodge your activity statements, tax returns, employment documents, keep track of super and update your details.

Setting up your business banking

It's important to keep business and personal expenses separate. One way to do this is to have separate bank accounts for your business.

Pay as you go (PAYG) instalments

Pay as you go (PAYG) instalments are regular prepayments of the tax on your business and investment income. By paying regular instalments throughout the year, you should not have a large tax bill when you lodge your tax return

Record keeping for business

This information will help you understand the record-keeping requirements for businesses to meet your tax, superannuation and employer obligations.

ATO: Help with paying

If you’re unable to pay on time, the ATO can offer support measures to help you stay on track.

ATO: National Tax Clinic program

The National Tax Clinic program is a government-funded initiative to help people who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs. This program is available to eligible individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities.

ATO: Natural disaster support

If you've been affected by an event or natural disaster such as a bushfire, cyclone, drought, flood, or storm, the ATO can support you.

ATO: Selling or closing a small business webcast

Watch various experts from government agencies discuss all the things you need to consider and do when closing or selling a business.

ATO: Small Business Newsroom

Get the latest tax news delivered straight to your email inbox.

ATO: Social Media - Join the discussion online

Join the ATO on social media and ATO community to ask questions about tax and super and get the latest tips and updates.

ATO: Supporting your small business

The ATO offers a range of tools and services to make it easier for you to get your tax and superannuation right. The ATO wants to help you manage and grow your business and get back on track if you need to. You can also speak with a registered tax or BAS agent for help.

ATO: Tax InVoice Podcasts

The ATO Tax inVoice podcast is an easy way to keep updated about the latest tax and super information and how you can meet your obligations.

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC): business

The ACCC business webpage provides key information, education and resources for small business. Understand your rights and responsibilities under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Australian Consumer Law.

Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC): Small business

ASIC registers all Australian business names and companies and assists, engages and helps to protect small business. They have information about becoming a company director, how to comply with legal obligations and resources such as their InFocus newsletter.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO)

The mission of the ASBFEO is to contribute to Australia being the best place to start, grow and transform a business.
The ASBFEO understands the challenges facing small and family businesses and provides information to avoid costly formal legal avenues, access to dispute resolution services, advice, and research to improve policies, and services such as mental health support should the need arise.

Business Enterprise Centres Australia

The philosophy of the BEC network is to provide information, advice and assistance to business intenders and existing business owners so that they’re well placed to develop their businesses as successful and profitable entities.

business.gov.au

Business.gov.au provides support for Australian businesses. It provides information, grants, services and support from across government to help your business succeed.

Business Registration Services

Visit Business Registration Services on business.gov.au to check which registrations you may need for your small business.

Exercise in a Box

Exercise in a Box is an online service provided by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). It will help you understand how resilient your business is to a cyber attack and evaluate your readiness to respond to critical cyber incidents. It's designed to complement your cyber security protective measures. Access to Exercise in a box and the resources it provides is completely free.

Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman will help you understand workplace rights and obligations. It provides information on many topics including hiring and paying employees, keeping the right records and managing employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman website also provides resources like the Pay and Conditions Tool and interactive templates.

Moneysmart

Get financial advice through the Moneysmart website, to help you take care of yourself financially.

myfuture

myfuture provides resources to explore career pathways and tools to develop self-knowledge to help with career decision-making.

National Debt Helpline: small business debt

If you or someone you know is struggling with their business finances, the National Debt Helpline has specialist small business financial counsellors to help.

NewAccess for Small Business Owners

NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free and confidential mental health coaching program, developed by Beyond Blue to give small business owners, including sole traders the support they need.

Services Australia

Services Australia offers employment and financial assistance.

TPB Register

The TPB Register contains registration details of registered, suspended and deregistered tax and BAS agents. Use the register to check if your tax practitioner is registered, or locate someone near you.

Workforce Australia

Workforce Australia is a place Australians can search and apply for jobs or find more information on their pathway to employment.

Last modified: 20 Aug 2024
Go back to previous page
""

What you will learn

  1. Common small business success factors
  2. Digital options for your business
  3. Where you can find support
Go back to previous page

Tell us what you think

Help us improve our website

Learn more

  • About us
  • Site tour

Popular links

  • ato.gov.au
  • Small business newsroom

For you

  • Supporting your small business
  • ATO Community
  • ATO on Facebook. Link will be open in a new tab or window
  • ATO on Twitter. Link will be open in a new tab or window
  • ATO on Linkedin. Link will be open in a new tab or window
  • ATO TV. Link will be open in a new tab or window
  • Accessibility
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Copyright
  • Site policies

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and Elders past and present.

© Commonwealth of Australia