How to register a business in Australia

Register your business, the right order

The official bit. It's not as scary as it looks, but the order matters, each step needs the one before it. Here's exactly what to do, in sequence, with the real (mostly free) links.

1. Get your ABN, free. Your Australian Business Number, through the Australian Business Register (start at business.gov.au). Sole traders use their personal TFN; a company uses its own. This is the foundation, almost everything else needs it.
2. Register your business name, only if needed. With ASIC, about $44 for one year (or ~$102 for three). You need this if you'll trade under a name that isn't your own personal name (sole trader) or your company's registered name. You need your ABN first.
3. GST, when you hit the threshold. Register for GST once your turnover reaches $75,000 a year (or you expect it to). Not before you need to, it's extra paperwork you can skip early on.
4. Licences & permits, check yours. Some trades and industries need one (food, trades, alcohol, and more). Two minutes on ABLIS tells you exactly what applies to your business and postcode.
5. Insurance. Public liability is the common one; your trade may need more. Not a registration, but do it before you take on real work.

☛ The order in one line: ABN → business name → (GST at $75k). You can't register a business name, or a .com.au domain, without the ABN.