|  BUSINESS
ENTERPISE CENTRES (BECs)
By
far the largest and most useful help organisation for
small business generally, is the national network of
Business Enterprise Centres. BECs are located in rural,
suburban and regional areas throughout Australia. With
sponsorship from private organisations plus resources
provided by federal, state and local governments, BECs
are there to assist with a wide range of support for
small and micro businesses throughout their various
stages of development.
BECs
are widely recognised as being the most cost effective,
relevant and unbiased conduit for offering practical
and appropriate assistance to the micro and small business
sectors.
BEC
Office Locator
Click on the link below to visit the BEC Australia website
and locate the branch nearest to you:
click
here to locate your nearest BEC office
Government
Departments and Agencies
If you are just starting out in business. chances are
you will need to have dealings with one or more of the
federal, state, territory or even local government agencies.
You will need to register your business or company name,
register your business for taxation purposes and in
some instances, obtain business licences and permits.
Here are some helpful links
Federal
Government
Advice
and support
A broad range of advice and support is offered by the
federal, state and territory and local governments.
Follow this link to a full listing of assistance available
across the three levels of government. Or go to your
state below and find contact details for agencies offering
assistance when you are establishing, operating or developing
your business.
What's
on calendar
The federal, state and territory and local governments
present many seminars, workshops and conferences to
assist small businesses when starting up. The Business
Entry Point's What's On is a monthly calendar
that lists events in city and country areas of Australia.
State
and Territory Governments
Australian
Capital Territory
Starting
up a new business
BusinessACT
provides advice on taking advantage of the numerous
ACT and federal government assistance services, programs
and incentive schemes designed specifically for the
needs of small business intenders and operators.
Licensing
for your business
ACT Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) provides
a quick start for the first step in business, getting
the right licences to operate a business. If you are
starting a new business or expanding your existing business,
you may need a licence, permit, or registration and
you may also need to abide by an industry code of practice.
Registering
your business name
You can find information on registering your business
name in the ACT through BusinessACT.
A registration fee is applicable. For further information,
phone 02 6207 0472.
New
South Wales
Starting
a business
The NSW
Small Business website provides information that
you can read online or download that will assist you
to start your business.
Licensing
for your business
Many businesses need to comply with one or more licences,
permits or registrations. The types of licence vary
from the registration of Business Names to permits for
keeping beehives. NSW BLIS gives you online access to
the Office of Fair Trading's database of NSW and federal
government business licence information.
Registering
your business name
You can register your business name over the counter
at the Department's statewide network of
Fair Trading Centres. A registration fee is applicable.
You will need to renew your business name every 3 years.
For more information phone 13 32 20.
Northern
Territory
Starting
and running a business
The NT Department of Business, Industry and
Resource Development has designed a
step-by-step guide to help you if you are considering
setting up a business in the Northern Territory.
Licensing
for your business
The Business Licence Information Service for the Northern
Territory provides you with a comprehensive list of
the licences you need in your business.
Registering
your business name
You can find information for registering your business
name in the NT through the Department of Justice. To
register your business in the NT you can
download an application form. There is no fee to
register a business name in the Northern Territory.
You will need to renew your business name every three
years. Phone 08 8946 9530 for more information.
Queensland
Starting
a business in Queensland
The Department of State Development and Innovation's
website provides information on everything you need
to know about starting a business in Queensland. Other
resources include:
*
Smart Small Business website - helps you take
your first step towards starting a new business
* Business
Resource Centre - information and assistance with
business
> planning
* SmartSkills
online - interactive learning tool to help you
manage your business.
Licensing
for your business
SmartLicence will provide you with tailored business
licensing information including:
*
Summary information on the state, local and federal
government requirements for your business
* The name, address and telephone number of the agency
responsible for each listing
* Licence application forms including on line lodgement
and secure payment where available
* Details of licence fees, periods of cover, and renewals.
SmartLicence
You can find information about registering your business
name in Queensland with SmartLicence. SmartLicence is
a unique business licensing and information service
that puts a stop to the red tape run-around and gives
you the freedom to get on with business. Contact:
1300
363 711 (Queensland callers)
07 3001 6359 (Interstate callers)
+617 3001 6359 (Overseas callers)
South
Australia
Starting
your own business
The Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED)
provides an introduction to specific elements of operating
a business which includes business fact sheets and associated
material.
Licensing
for your business
The Business Licence Information Service for South Australia
provides you with a comprehensive list of the licences
you need in your business.
Registering
your business name
An application
form for registering a new business name can
be downloaded and lodged either by mail, fax or in person.
A registration fee is applicable. Phone 1300 138 918
for further details.
Tasmania
Getting
started in business
The Department of Economic Development offers information, advice and referral to Tasmanian businesses, large and small. Licensing for your business
The Business Licence Information Service for Tasmania provides you with a comprehensive list of the licences you need in your business. Registering your business name
You can find information for registering your business name in Tasmania from Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading. An application form for registering a new business name can be downloaded and lodged at any Service Tasmania shop. An application fee is applicable. You will need to renew your business name every 3 years. Phone 03 6233 2225 for more information. Victoria Starting your business
Advice and information on how to go about getting your business up and running.The Business Channel also provides advice when you are starting a business or managing your business. Licensing for your business
Victoria's Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) provides easy-to-understand reports covering all Victorian, local and federal government licences, permits, registrations, and Victorian legislated references to codes of practice that are relevant to the starting and running of your business. Registering your business name
You can find information about registering your business name in Victoria at Consumer Affairs Online Victoria. You need to renew your business name every 3 years - you can do this online. You can also check the Victorian Names Register to see whether another business has already registered a name similar to the name you want. Western Australia Establishing your business in Western Australia
Western Australia's Department of Industry and Resources website can help you find information on industry, investment and business development. For help with starting a small business visit the Small Business Development Corporation website. Licensing for your business
The Business Information and Licence Service is a one stop source of information on business licence requirements in Western Australia. Registering your business name
Find out what you should know about business names in Western Australia from the Department of Consumer and
Employment Protection website. A registration fee is applicable. You will need to renew your business name every 3 years. Phone 1300 304 014 if you need more information. Local Government Your business may need to have planning approvals in the form of development consent and/or building approvals. Your local council will determine whether you need to make any applications for approval, or to obtain special licences for such things as pollution, hazardous materials storage or waste disposal. Find a listing of local councils by clicking on your state below. This will take you to your state's local government directory, or in Queensland directly to SmartLicence. New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia | 
