The cost of starting a business in Australia

Taking your business into the real world is exciting. They say preparation is the key to success so to get your business running, you need to know how much money you'll need to get started. ​

Understanding the cost of starting a business in Australia is vitally important, it helps you to plan ahead and avoid future cash flow problems. Unfortunately, many business owners start fast without considering the initial startup costs, which leads to the business being unsustainable in the long run.​

Your start-up costs are expenses before your business generates an income. These can include but are not limited to supplies and equipment, utility connections, insurance, business name registration and​

solicitor fees. Under normal circumstances, these start-up costs are non-deductible but if you’re a small business entity (SBE) with a turnover of less than $10m, you can claim a deduction for these.​

If you want to start a business, you’ll need to do it right. In this blog, we’ll cover 9 common costs of starting a business in Australia. ​

Choosing a business structure is one of the most important steps to getting your business started due to its financial, tax, and legal implications. In Australia, the common business structures are sole traders, company, partnership, and trust. The business structure you choose has an impact on the cost of registration. ​

Sole traders, for example, incur very few costs. In contrast, setting up a company can be more expensive with more administration. You not only have to reserve a name through ASIC and pay a company registration fee, but also must pay the annual company review fee.​

You should either do your own research or consult a professional to ensure that your business is operating legally. Based on your location and industry, you will need different types of licenses and permits, and the cost for applying varies.  ​

Here are some common licenses and permits you may need:​

Your business space (e.g., retail, factory, office) could be the biggest expense when it comes to starting a business in Australia unless you’re a digital nomad or operate a home-based business. You’ll also need to factor in other expenses to pay for, for example, utilities, maintenance, office furniture, equipment, and more. The costs for business space depend on the location and the size of the space you’re renting. ​

According to realcommercial.com.au, the average rate per square meter for office space in Sydney CBD is $1,038 per annum whereas in other areas, such as Canberra CBD, it costs $437 per square meter per annum.  ​

It's cheaper to rent a coworking space if you're just starting out. While it allows you to pay a fraction of the cost of traditional office space, it also covers furniture, utilities, office supplies, internet, and meeting rooms. The term of the membership is also flexible.​

If you operate some or all of your business from your home, you may be able to claim tax deductions for home-based business expenses. For more information, look here.​

You may not have enough expertise or time for some critical business functions such as accounting, bookkeeping, and legal, so you need to think about outsourcing them to professionals. Paying for accounting and legal services is an additional expense but it’s important for startups to get everything right in the early stages of the business, otherwise, you may end up paying more (or saving less) down the line. ​

Read more: ​

No matter whether you’re operating through a company or as a sole trader, a website is your digital storefront showcasing what services you offer, pricing and contact information.​

Having a strong online presence is crucial in the digital age. There’re a few ways to build a professional website:​

When you’re just starting, your business’ risk may be low. However, it’s wise to consider paying for insurance. The common types of insurance in Australia are public liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, business insurance, and management liability insurance. ​

With a lot of companies having a strong online presence these days, there is also cyber liability insurance which will help you in the event of a cyber-attack. There is also tax audit insurance which covers a business for specified costs in the event your business is selected by the Australian Tax Office for auditing.​

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to choosing insurance because not every business is the same. The amount you must pay depends on the nature of your business, industry, your risk tolerance, insurance provider and more. For example, a tradie may face different challenges and risks compared to a home-based business owner. It’s also vital to know insurance is compulsory in some industries. ​

If you hire any employees to help you out with your business, you'll need to pay your employees. You’ll also have to account for superannuation, entitlements, benefits, commissions, bonuses, and overtime pay. ​

Depending on the employee's expertise, the salary can differ. The minimum wage in Australia is $21.38 per hour or $812.60 per 38-hour week as of 1st July 2022. However, if you want to attract the talent with the right skills you need for your business, the salary may be considerably higher.​

If you operate through a company, you also need to consider allocating an amount to pay yourself. Payroll software may also be helpful in this case since it can assist you in planning the costs along the way. Although not directly a salary, you’ll also want to ensure that your workplace manages the health and safety (WHS) of anyone who does work for you including customers, visitors, and suppliers.​

One of the most significant costs for many businesses is business assets and equipment. Like other costs, the cost of assets and equipment are determined by the type of industry. For example, if you want to start a landscaping business, you’ll need to purchase a lawn mower, trailer, and truck to carry out the business. On the other hand, if you are planning to start a dropshipping business, you might not need to spend a lump sum of money on equipment.​

A business loan or payment plan may help you to get started if you worry about not being able to afford the essential equipment for your business. For example, Lydian Financial Services offers a range of financial services for business owners.​

You want to get the word out when starting a business, whether through traditional advertising channels (e.g., radio, billboards, tv etc.) or digital marketing (e.g., Google ads, social media advertising or extra production costs for graphic design or videos). ​

You can also leverage other advertising and marketing tactics such as partnership, influencer marketing, event marketing and more. The cost of these tactics varies; however, your business will start to get attention and sales.​

We’re an online accounting firm that is always right here for you, your accounting pain relief. The most advanced technology lets us work way more closely with you than a normal accountant would. ​​

We have a dedicated team of certified accountants and a support team to take care of your business no matter where you are, so you can focus on growing your business. We take out the ‘fluff’, break down the barriers and get things done. Looking out for you is what we are all about. Get started for free today.​