Starting a business feels more complicated than it is. There's a lot of noise about structures and registrations and insurance, and most of it can wait. Here's what actually needs to happen first.
An ABN. You need one before you can invoice anyone. Registration is free and takes about ten minutes through the ABR website. You'll need to decide on a business structure at this point. Most people start as sole traders, which means your ABN is tied to your personal tax file number.
A business bank account. Keep your business and personal finances separate from day one. It makes everything cleaner, your tax return, your bookkeeping, your sanity.
A way to invoice. It doesn't need to be fancy. A simple invoicing tool like Xero, MYOB, or even a well-formatted Word template works. What matters is that your invoices include your ABN, a clear description of what you're charging for, your payment terms, and your bank details.
A basic record-keeping system. Know where your receipts are going. A folder on your phone, a Dropbox, an accounting app, anything that means you're not hunting for things in twelve months when your accountant needs them.
That's genuinely it to start. Structure questions, GST registration, insurance, those come later, and the right answers depend on what your business actually looks like once it's running. Don't let the setup complexity stop you from starting.
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