Starting a Business

It’s definitely momentous, possibly thrilling and almost certainly a little daunting. The decision to start your own business sits proudly alongside all of life’s big choices.

Whether you’ve decided to start from scratch, buy into an existing business, or enter into a franchise arrangement, much of the essential groundwork is the same. Interested in taking the first steps? Let’s begin.

Choosing a Business Structure
Take a look at the most common options for structuring a business. Whatever you decide, it’s important to take the size of your business and budget into account.

Creating a Business Plan
A good business plan not only builds a critical foundation to the establishment of your business, it will help sustain and develop it well into the future.

Buying a Franchise
Many people think of franchising as a "business success formula". While it may have distinct advantages, beware of the pitfalls too.

Naming a Business
There’s more to it than you may think … find out the "hows", "whys" and "wheres" here.

Raising Finance
Unless you have come into a windfall, chances are that you will need initial backing to start your business, and ongoing credit facilities to help you to sustain and grow it. Take a look at some options here.

Managing Super
Finding the best business super solution means keeping your administration tasks to a minimum and delivering real benefits to you and your employees.

After you’ve had a good look at our info on Starting a Business, don’t forget to take a look at  Managing a Business – where you’ll find everything from making and receiving payments, to financing vehicles and equipment.

Important information about advice
As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. View our Financial Services Guide (PDF 59kb).