Government Assistance

Most federal and state governments have some sort of grant funding for new businesses.

Check your local white pages and call the relevant government office to begin your search for information. The answers to most questions are usually found within 3-4 phone calls.

The first port of call for US residents is the Small Business Administration web site, which can be located at www.sba.gov.

Another useful resource is the US government’s Small Business Development Center at www.business.usa.gov.

For Australian residents, the following web sites will assist you in starting your new business:

Queensland Government

• Business Queensland
  Business Queensland provides information on all licenses, registrations and permits for Local, State and Commonwealth Governments that are required to start up your business.
• Office Of Fair Trading
  In Queensland, you need to register your business name with the Office of Fair Trading. You can also submit complaints about unfair business practices here.
• Business Grants
  In Australia, the state governments provide funding programs for small businesses. For more information, visit their web site:

Australian Government

• Australian Tax Office Business Portal
  You will need to register with the ATO for an Australian Business Name, as well as the Goods and Services Tax (GST). You’ll find more specific business information on their web site.
  
• Australian Securities And Investments Commission (ASIC)
  If you intend to form a company, your application will be submitted to ASIC. If you plan to use a company name in Australia, you must check with ASIC before you attempt to register it. You can go directly to ASIC’s Business Page for more information.

Trademark Search

• IP Australia
  It’s also a good idea to check that the name you want is not trademarked. IP Australia provides information on designs, patents and trademarks.
• US Trademarks
  To check trademarks registered in the USA, visit United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  To go directly to the search function, click on Trademark Electronic Search System.
• International Trademarks
  For international registration searches, go to World Intellectual Property Organization.

Inventions

• The Triton Foundation
  If you need funding for an invention, the Triton Foundation is one option. For information on their programs, visit them online.

General Business Information

Here are some useful sites for new business owners:

1. Government Business Information Service (GOBIS).
   The Queensland Government also offers information on government support services for small businesses, including grants, training courses and seminars, and assistance with trade development, market research and management.
   You can contact them on 1 800 06 631 or visit them online.
2. Business Hotline
   For information about presentations and seminars, call the Queensland Government’s Business Hotline number 13 26 50. Interstate callers can phone 07 3225 1915.

Business Guides

The following web sites offer free material on starting and running a small business:

• My Own Business (free business course)
• Business In Victoria (check their resource centre)
• E-commerce Assistance
  
• Home Business Manual (Free PDF download)
• Maus Small Business Information Resource Centre

Forming A Company

For professional advice about forming a company in Australia, consult with an accountant or a legal advisor.

You will also find businesses that sell companies directly. You might consider whether you feel confident doing this without first seeking expert advice. Here are some web sites that offer this service for Australian, US and UK based companies:

• Incorporator
  To incorporate a company in Australia
• Austrade
  For Australian companies wishing to export goods overseas
• The Company Corporation USA
  To incorporate a company in the USA
• Incorporator UK
  To incorporate a company in the UK
• Formations House UK
  Company formation agents for the UK offering offshore company formation and registration.

Researching Other Businesses

• Australian Business Number Lookup
  To check the credentials of companies or individuals with whom you plan to do business, the Australian Government offers this search facility.
• ASIC Name Search