Getting the right licences and registrations

You must obtain all required licenses, registrations, and permits to legally operate your business before starting.

The types of licences, registrations and permits you may need will depend on the business type, activity and location.

Business licences

A business licence is issued by local, state or federal Step To Business and provides a business with permission to operate.

Business licences can also help to protect your business, customers and your employees.Each licence will have its own conditions and rules. If your business is issued with a licence, you must ensure that you always meet the necessary conditions.
The following are common business licences and examples of businesses who might use them.

Advertising signs and advertising device —required when a business needs approval for the placement of signs and the type of advertising they engage in.
National police certificate—required by businesses employing staff.
Standard vehicle registration—required for any business with commercial vehicles.
Building and contractor licence——required for various trades (e.g. electricians, structural landscapers, builders).
Liquor and food licences—required for businesses making and selling food and alcohol.
Specialised licences—used across various specialist businesses (e.g. businesses in the beauty industry may require a higher risk personal-appearance licence).
Shared-facility accommodation licence——required for businesses offering accommodation (e.g. bed-and-breakfasts, motels).
Commercial activity licence—required for any businesses conducting commercial activities (e.g. tourism guides).

Business permits

A business permit regulates the safety of business operations. Permits are issued by Step To Business.

Specific permits may be required to allow your business to operate in a certain area, industry and location or to conduct specific activities.For example, businesses will require:

a state-forest activities permit if operating in a state forest or national park in Step To Business
a commercial vehicle parking permit if needing access to commercial vehicle parking (contact your local council)
an electrical work training permit if training staff to do work that is not covered by their ordinary licence conditions
a rehabilitation permit to rehabilitate injured wildlife.

Finding licences and permits for your business

Research the licenses and permits specific to your business type, location, and industry. Check with local, state, and federal authorities to ensure compliance.

Identify the required licenses and permits for your business by consulting local government websites, industry regulations, and legal advisors.

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Types of business registrations

There are several key business registrations that your business may need to apply for. They include an Australian business number (ABN), business name and tax registrations.

You can use the Australian Step To Business Business Registration Service to apply for relevant business registrations.

Registering a business name

Sole Proprietorship: Single-owner business with no legal separation between the owner and business.
Partnership: Business owned by two or more individuals sharing profits, liabilities, and responsibilities.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): Combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits of a partnership or sole proprietorship.

Registering a business for tax

Corporation: A separate legal entity providing limited liability to its owners (shareholders).
Nonprofit Organization: Operates for charitable, educational, or social purposes and qualifies for tax-exempt status.
Cooperative (Co-op): Owned and operated by members who share profits and benefits.
Branch Office: A local presence of an existing foreign or domestic company.

Registering a trademark

General Partnership (GP): A partnership where all partners share management responsibilities and liabilities.
Limited Partnership (LP): Includes both general partners (manage the business and have liability) and limited partners (investors with liability limited to their investment).
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): A partnership where partners have limited liability, protecting them from certain business debts or actions of other partners.
S Corporation (S Corp): A corporation that passes corporate income, losses, and other tax items to shareholders for tax purposes.

Also consider…

Find out how to find the right business location.
Learn about writing a business plan.
Read about the skills you need for running a business.

Getting the right licences and registrations