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Business plan template

Create a comprehensive business plan with this easy to use business plan template.

Businesses need a strong plan that outlines what you aim to achieve and gives you a roadmap to get there. Creating your own business plan doesn’t have to be difficult, simply set aside some time to work through the various elements.

What to consider when writing a business plan

The template walks you through each stage of a business plan. It will help ensure that nothing gets missed, including essential elements such as:

• your profile
• your marketing strategy
• your business structure.

When you’re  writing your business plan , it’s important to: 

• avoid  long words or sentences
• use clear and concise language and avoid jargon
• identify your audience and keep them in mind when writing
• show why you care and let your passion for the business shine through
• highlight your unique value proposition
• include a realistic detailed financial plan
• think carefully through every step of your business start-up
• pinpoint weaknesses, identify your strengths and spot opportunities.

Why you should use a business plan template

A business plan template is an essential tool to help you  create a clear, concise and comprehensive business plan. It can help you:

• secure funding and  attract investors
• set goals and prioritise
• better control  your business
• helps you seek finance.

Writing a plan can be enjoyable. It will help you highlight the ideas and activities at the core of your business, and force you to get your priorities in order too. It could also show you what success will look like, so you can begin measuring it. Each section of the template comes with brief instructions, so that you get the structure right.

When you’re finished, one of our small business bankers will be happy to go over the plan and provide advice and guidance. You can request a call back online to discuss this further.

Download our  business plan template (DOC, 158KB) , opens in new window  and read our detailed article on writing your business plan to get started.

Use our business plan template to guide you through writing your business plan.

Other business moments

Find out if you’re suited to running a business

Use our checklist to help you determine if you have what it takes.

How to write a business plan

Follow our helpful guide to writing a comprehensive plan.

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How to write a business plan in 12 steps (2024 edition)

Updated 08 January 2024 • 12 min read

This guide breaks down how to write a business plan, step-by-step, detailing what your document needs to include and what you need to think about to make your business plan as persuasive as possible.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that can provide immense value for new and existing companies of all sizes. It is an overview that includes an outline of your business, its key objectives and plan for achieving important goals.

This information can be used to communicate strategic actions to internal teams and also attract interest from potential partners and investors . However, writing a business plan can be a lengthy and involved process. For many, using a business plan template can be a good way to get started.

For best results, you’ll need to do a lot of thinking and planning before you start writing your business plan. This way you have all the information and resources you need at your fingertips and won’t be under time pressure to come up with something at the last minute. After all, a well-thought-out business plan can help you avoid generic information and set your company up for success.

Download your free business plan template .

Why write a business plan?

Writing your business plan helps to get your strategy nailed down and onto the page. A plan that stays in your head is probably going to be full of unrealistic assumptions and biases, whereas a strategically thought-out and organised approach forces you to notice your blind spots and find a way forward.

If you’re looking for financing, a bank or investor needs to be persuaded by your business proposal and the opportunity to work with you. Therefore, a well-written business plan can help provide potential financial partners with the confidence that your business can become profitable. Your business plan gives them a comprehensive view of all aspects of your business and details your strategy for achieving your goals.

What are the main sections of a business plan?

Whatever your line of work, your business plan will generally need to provide the following:

An executive summary

A business overview

The market opportunity

Your products/services

How to write a business plan

Make sure you cover each of the following steps when preparing your document:

1. Write an executive summary

This section of your business plan should be 1–2 pages in length and enables potential financiers or partners to get an overview of what your business does and – most importantly — what the opportunity is for them. If they’re interested in the opportunity, they’ll conduct their own due diligence - and this will start with going through your business plan and financials.

It’s a good idea to write your executive summary last, when you’ve clarified your thinking around every section of the document. As an overview section, you don’t want to add any new content that isn’t in your business plan. Aim to keep this summary succinct and engaging by using simple, plain language, as this is much more persuasive than complicated or academic wording.

Use sub-headings and bullet points to help your most important information stand out, especially as busy executives may simply scan your executive summary and use this to decide whether they want to find out more.

What to include in an executive summary?

Make sure you include details on:

What your business does

What the opportunity is

What your unique selling points / differentiators are

How much funding you’re looking for

What the funding will be used for

How you'll succeed

Remember, you’re providing the big picture overview of your business - the detail is in the rest of the document and in the appendices.

2. Write your business overview

This section of your business plan needs to be more than just a list of what your business does. Its purpose is to excite those you’re hoping will work with you or help to fund your business.

Information to address includes:

What's the purpose of your business?

What problem does your business’ product or service solve?

What niche could it fill?

What’s different about your offering?

How are you better than anyone else at what you do?

Consider what your customer value proposition is by deciding what you want to achieve and what your number 1 benefit is for your customer.

3. Identify your USP

Think about what your unique selling points (USP) or differentiators are, and what proof-points you can provide to back them up.

For example, you can use terms like “market-leading” but if you don’t provide any evidence to back up your claims, your reader will take them with a big pinch of salt!

You should certainly reference any awards or endorsements that position you as the best person to provide your product or service, as well as any client testimonials. Make sure you include any education or experience that makes you an expert in your field as well.

4. Describe the market opportunity

Show you understand your industry, market and where you fit in it. While no-one can predict the future, offer up where you think the opportunity is for your business and make sales projections based on that. 

For example, imagine your business is selling personalised cookies - there's little competition in your area and you see your market opportunity to create designs for all calendar and holiday events. You expect to increase sales by 30% in one year and 50% in three years, driven primarily by word-of-mouth referrals.

Make sure you also consider macro trends that may create opportunities for you, such as social, environmental, or technological changes that may affect buying behaviour.

5. Include a SWOT analysis

Whatever your business strengths or opportunities, they’ll always be known and unknown weaknesses and threats; there’s no such thing as certainty in business or in life!

However, you can demonstrate that you’ve examined your business through different lenses and have a thorough understanding of it by doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

Don’t worry about drawing attention to your business’ shortcomings - every opportunity has them and it’ll give investors and partners confidence in you that you won't bury your head in the sand. Naturally, it's important that you specify what you’re going to do to address these weaknesses and counter these threats.

Here are some areas you can think about to get started: reputation, technology, location, experience, staff, overheads, competition, suppliers and price.

6. Present a competitor analysis

Let’s face it, no matter what industry you’re in, or what you’re selling, there’s going to be other businesses offering the same thing. But instead of worrying about the competition, use this as a positive opportunity to up your game and work out the unique advantages you have that will keep you competitive.

Identify your top 3 competitors and analyse what they're doing well and where they’re coming up short. Try to be as objective as possible and identify how to differentiate yourself from them.

You should also look into who the industry leaders are and what the benchmarks are for your industry so that you can set yourself targets for continuous improvement.

7. Create a customer persona

A customer persona is a fictional person who represents your company's ideal customer. Naturally, the persona can be based on a real person - the more you get to know your ideal customer, the more targeted and successful your marketing efforts will be.

To create a customer persona, you need to conduct research into your ideal customer’s age, sex, income, employment, daily activities, interests and hobbies. If you’re feeling unsure about your customer persona, you may need to give your ideal customer further thought and download the customer persona template to get started.

8. Write your marketing strategy

When you’ve created your customer persona, you need to work out how you’re going to reach them. Do they hang out on social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or LinkedIn? Or are they more used to local, traditional marketing like free local papers or high foot traffic areas?

Once you’ve figured where your audience is likely to hang out, you can outline your strategies for promoting and advertising your products or services in the next 12 months.

Make a list of the marketing channels you’ll use to achieve your advertising strategy and be sure to include your budget. How much can you set aside for advertising? And where are you most likely to see a return on your efforts? Paid ads on Facebook? Half or full paid spreads in an industry magazine? Or even a direct mail out? 

For more structured help around this, check out free course: Business 101 | Get social with your business on Facebook . 

9. Design your customer retention strategy

Business success relies heavily on the relationship you’re able to build with your customers. What techniques will you use to keep them coming back? Consider the following:

What can your business do to increase the number of repeat customers? 

Does your business have a referral or loyalty program? 

Do you have a post-purchase follow up in place?

Will you use surveys to track customer satisfaction?

What ways can you continue delivering outstanding service?

Is there a way to continue educating and adding value to your customers?

10. Present your financials

Most people who are looking at investing their time and/or money in your business will want to see your financial statements - your performance to date and your projections over the short and medium term. They'll also want to know how much you’ve received in funding to date and what these other sources of funding are - including your own investment.

Current finances

You need to show how your business has performed financially over the last year, highlighting metrics such as positive cashflow , net profit and assets.

Financial forecasts

You should also provide a balance forecast projecting total assets, total liabilities and net assets over 1, 2 and 3 years, and a profit and loss forecast for the same periods detailing gross profit/net sales, total expenses and net profit/loss. Finally, you should also provide a cashflow forecast month by month over the next year.

It’s also a good idea to speak to an expert like an accountant or bookkeeper about your finances and get advice on how best to present them in this all-important section of your business plan.

11. Detail how much funding is needed

Naturally, you also need to be very clear about how much money you’re looking for and what you plan to do with it. If you’re looking for a loan , you need to detail what it’s for, over what period it’ll be repaid, and what collateral you have to secure it.

12. Propose an exit strategy

Any financial stakeholder in your business will want a return on investment. If you’re pursuing this type of funding, you should include some detail on your proposed exit strategy . For example, do you want to sell the company at some point or go public?

Similarly, you should outline your succession plan so the business can continue to operate if you decide to step away from it. Likewise, you need a plan for what happens if the business loses money and can’t sustain itself. Documenting this means that everyone is on the same page and potential investors have this information upfront.

Frequently asked questions about writing a business plan:

When to write a business plan.

Typically, entrepreneurs write their business plans within the first year of operations. A business plan is a tool that helps business owners refine their strategy, attract partners and financiers, and grow their business.

If a business plan is written too soon, it may lack the substance that comes with time in the market. However, it’s important to note that a business plan isn't a static document - it can and should change as the business evolves.

How long should your business plan be?

There are no hard and fast rules around how long your business plan should be - it just needs to include all the relevant information. Aim for clear, concise sections and build a business plan that is as easy to read and navigate as possible.

Using a business plan template can help you make sure you have everything covered off, while also having a document that looks as professional as possible. Make sure you run a spelling and grammar check too - any sloppy errors can undermine your credibility.

What’s a business plan on a page?

It’s important to write your business plan as it helps to embed your strategy - as well as communicate what you’re about to potential partners or investors. When you have a comprehensive business plan you can easily adapt it to suit different audiences. For example, a full business plan is essential for raising capital but a business plan on a page may be enough for potential partners or employees.

What do venture capitalists look for in a business plan?

Venture capitalists invest money into businesses with the goal of achieving a return on their investment within the short to medium term. As a result, they’re looking for an attractive market opportunity, a clear point of differentiation, a strong management team, a proven track record, solid financials and, importantly, an exit opportunity.

Where to go for help or more information?

There are many great resources out there to help you fine-tune your business strategy and write your business plan. The Australian Government has a comprehensive website dedicated to supporting businesses at all stages of their journey.

You can also get help from Business Enterprise Centres , business advisors, accountants and fellow business owners. MYOB also has a list of business advisors who can give you feedback on your business plan, so your venture has the very best chance of success. 

Related Guides

How to get a business loan arrow right, how to find investors: a guide for startups arrow right, business models: definitions, types and key components arrow right.

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Free business plan template for small businesses

Create your free professional business plan with our easy-to-use business plan template.

Create a professional business plan in minutes

Free template.

Our Australian business plan template can save you time & money.

Fully editable

Ready to customise with all requirements like your business details, organisational structure, competitor analaysis and goals.

Easy to use

Simply add the requested data and our template will create a business plan for you.

Download your free business plan template

Business plan template.

Our business plan template is an editable document containing your businesses goals and objectives for the future. It also provides all the key sections you need for a professional business plan including overview of business description, market research, competitive analysis, financial forecasts and much more.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the importance of a business plan.

Writing a business plan gives your business the best chance of success helping you to flesh out your business proposal, outline key business processes and gives an action plan of what you want to achieve over time. While it can seem overwhelming, the time and effort you put in is worth it for your long-term success. Use our free business plan template below to get you started!

What should a business plan include?

A business plan consists of a single document with different sections that represent different aspects of your business. Most business plans include the following:

• Business overview
• Executive summary
• Team & Management
• Product & Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitor Analysis
• Marketing & Promotions
• Financial Analysis
• Future & Goals

How do you write a business plan?

Writing a multi page business plan when you are just starting out can seem overwhelming. The key to getting started is to keep it simple and add to it as you grow. Start with key headings (or use our template) and some bullet points mapping out your business overview, vision, market analysis and financial forecasts.

Tips for writing a business plan?

Check out our page about the  7 Tips for writing a Business Plan >

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Your Business Plan

BUSINESS PLAN _________________________________ ____________________ 10 April 2024

Executive Summary

The Ownership The company will be structured as a sole proprietorship.

The Management _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

The Goals and Objectives _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

The Product _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

The Target Market _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Pricing Strategy _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

The Competitors _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Business Plan - _________________________________

The Company

Business Sector The owners would like to start a business in the retail sector.

Company Goals and Objectives _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Company Ownership Structure The company will be structured as a sole proprietorship.

Ownership Background ____________________ (owner): _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Company Management Structure _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Organizational Timeline _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Company Assets _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

The Product

• Marketing Plan

Pricing _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Advertising _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Competitor Analysis

Staffing _________________________________ will employ one full-time employee in the initial startup phase.

Last Updated April 8, 2024

What is a Business Plan?

A Business Plan is an important planning tool used by first-time or existing business owners to outline company goals, objectives, and challenges, as well as information regarding internal management, marketing, and finances.

LawDepot's Business Plan template can be used in:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Northern Territory (NT)
• Queensland (QLD)
• South Australia (SA)
• Tasmania (TAS)
• Victoria (VIC)
• Western Australia (WA)

A Business Plan can also be called a:

• Business Strategy
• Business Proposal

What information should I include in my Business Plan?

The information you include in your Business Plan will vary depending on the type of business you own and the type of information you want to include in your plan. Generally, most business plans will layout:

• Ownership (i.e., whether you are a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, etc.)
• Management structure (e.g. an explanation of how day-to-day operations of your business are handled)
• Goals and objectives
• Which products and/or services are offered by your company
• Information about your company's products and/or services (such as your pricing strategy, patent or trademark licence details, etc.)
• Marketing strategy (e.g. the target market, whether or not you have established customers, etc.)

The information you include in each section typically depends on why you are making your Business Plan.

For instance, if you are creating your plan to send to investors to secure funding, you'll want to spend additional time explaining your goals and objectives as well as the products or services you are planning to sell and how it aligns with your target market.

Alternatively, if you are using your Business Plan as a blueprint to help you achieve a specific goal (like reorganising your business structure so that your company's management processes are more efficient), you'll want to spend time identifying your current management structure, how you plan to change it, and how the success of this goal will be measured.

When is a Business Plan used?

Common situations where a Business Plan may be used include:

• An existing company is purchased, and the new owner would like to record key details about the business to determine if operational changes need to be made.
• A group of individuals would like to create a start-up and use a Business Plan to present their business idea to potential investors.
• A board of directors would like to establish new opportunities for growth for their business, so they create a Business Plan covering the company's target market and the potential sales tactics the company could use to reach that group.
• A fast-growing company would like to adjust their company structure, so they create a Business Plan to identify its current organisational hierarchy and how it should change.

How long should my Business Plan be?

The length of your plan will depend on the reason you are creating it, the category of business you operate in, the number of goals and objectives you decide to include, and, in general, how much information you decide to cover.

For example, small companies with only one or two company goals, a few products and employees, and a limited marketing strategy may only need a few pages whereas a midsized company with broader needs, lots of products and employees, and a complex marketing strategy may require several pages for their sales plan.

Do I need a Business Plan to start a business?

Though you do not need a Business Plan to start a business, using a plan is strongly recommended as it will help you organise your business' structure and needs in a clear, easy-to-read format.

Starting a business without a Business Plan in place can get chaotic if important considerations, such as outlining the company's organisational hierarchy, main products or services, or marketing strategy, are neglected, dismissed, or forgotten.

When should I update my Business Plan?

Whenever there is a significant change in your business structure, products, or needs, you should update your Business Plan. A good Business Plan helps guide business owners in achieving a particular goal or keeps them on track by setting out the business' main purpose.

What is a SWOT analysis?

Some business plans will include a SWOT analysis . SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is a planning technique used to identify areas where a company does well (strengths), doesn’t do well (weaknesses), could improve on and how (opportunities), and any potential issues with the business or products, such as expected material shortages or a change in consumer practices (threats).

Typically, strengths and weaknesses will deal with internal factors that are within a company's control, such as the organisation of the company, whereas opportunities and threats will consider external factors that are sometimes not in a company’s control, like a growing number of competitors.

Related Documents:

• Purchase of Business Agreement : Formally detail the terms of a business sale (including which assets are part of the sale, the total amount of consideration, and the payment method) by using a Purchase of Business Agreement.
• Promissory Note : Protect yourself legally when you lend or borrow money from another person or company by using a Promissory Note.
• Confidentiality Agreement : Send your business plan to a third-party without worrying your confidential information will be shared by using a Confidentiality Agreement.
• Letter of Intent : Outline negotiations between you, your business partners, and more before you create a binding agreement by using a Letter of Intent.

Personalise your Business Plan. Print or download in minutes.

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Writing a business plan

A business plan documents your objectives and the strategies and structures you have in place for achieving them.

Your business plan should explain how you will manage all the important aspects of your business, from products and services to operational plans and finances.

Video: Writing a business plan

Watch our video on why you should write a business plan for your new or current business.

Topics include:

• why it's important to create and review a business plan
• the information to include in your business plan
• using a business plan to achieve your business goals
• downloading and completing our business plan template.

Use a business plan to:

• help you start a new business
• help you improve the performance of an existing business
• attract funding for an investment
• communicate business progress to stakeholders
• communicate business goals and objectives to internal staff members
• attract potential buyers for the business.

A business plan is a 'living' document, so it should evolve and change—think of it as an operating guide for your business throughout the start-up, operations and succession phases.

Download and write a full business plan

Download our free full business plan template and use the guidelines below to write a plan for your business.

There are also other templates available that may better meet your needs—visit business.gov.au .

You should customise your chosen template to suit your business and industry.

We explain below how you can start with a 1-page business plan to ease you into the process of completing the full business plan.

Business plan elements

The elements of your business plan will vary depending on:

• what phase your business is in (starting, running, selling)
• the industry your business is in
• how you choose to use the plan (e.g. for internal development purposes).

Every business plan will be different, but they will generally include similar elements. The sections of our business plan template are listed below—use these as a guide when completing it or as a reference when creating your own.

At the start of your business plan, include the following business details:

• business name
• date registered
• Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Australian Company Number (ACN) – if applicable
• tax file number (TFN)
• business address
• contact details
• website details
• social media details.

Read about choosing a business structure and getting the right licences and registrations .

This section provides an overview of the business concept. It should be attention-grabbing and succinct—the content will be covered in more detail in future sections.

While this is the first section of the plan, it can often help to write it last after the other sections have been finalised.

This helps to ensure that the executive summary covers all the key information within the plan.

It should define:

• what your business vision is
• what your legal structure is
• what products and services you offer
• who your customers are
• what sets you apart from your competitors
• how you will create a market for your products and services
• how you will operate
• what your financial projections are
• how your business or industry will evolve
• who owns or manages your business
• what your short-term and long-term goals are.

Refer to the corresponding sections in our free business plan template:

• 2.1 Products and services
• 2.2 Market analysis
• 2.3 Industry description and outlook
• 2.4 SWOT analysis

In this section, you should highlight your business products and services and describe what makes them unique, such as their:

• limitations
• cost and sale price.

You can also include details of any plans your business has to introduce new products and services.

Your market analysis should describe your target market (e.g. local, international) and target customers.

Add in the research you have done about your industry and the market trends.

In this section, you will also complete a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).

Find out more about researching your market:

• planning and conducting market and customer research
• market research kit .
• 3.1 Current situation
• 3.2 Marketing objectives
• 3.3 Target segments
• 3.4 Competitor analysis
• 3.5 Brand positioning
• 3.6 Marketing programs
• 3.7 Marketing tactics
• 3.8 Key actions
• 3.9 Business controls

A business plan should include a high-level summary of your market research and analysis.

Starting with your current situation, complete your marketing objectives and analysis around your target market and your competitiveness.

Complete your customer and competitor profiles and develop a 1-page brand strategy .

These will help you prepare your marketing plan in section 3 of the template.

Your plan will include marketing tactics and an action plan. You will identify how you will set KPIs and report on your marketing effectiveness.

Learn about:

• branding your business
• writing a marketing strategy and plan .
• 4.1 Sales strategies
• 4.2 Sales analysis and forecast
• 4.3 Customer management

Explain your sales forecasts and targets in this section, and how you will manage customer records and payments. You should understand what sales strategies will work for you and the best channels to market your products or services .

You will also need to know what your current sales, volume and market share are and what you expect them to be for the next 2 years.

Learn about cash flow, invoices and payments and how to collect and store customer information for help with managing customers.

Regardless of your business or industry, you will need to prepare for operating some of your business online.

Note your digital and customer and data-protection strategies in your business plan. You could also include:

• the digital tools and resources that will be used in your business
• the people responsible for overseeing the digital strategy within the business
• details of any security considerations.

Complete a digital health check and learn how to create a digital strategy for your business .

• 6.1 Business structure
• 6.2 Contracts, licences and agreements
• 6.3 Intellectual property
• 6.4 Insurance
• 6.6 Employees
• 6.7 Financial
• 6.8 Legal and ethical trading
• 6.9 Risk management
• 6.10 Business continuity

In this section, record the legal and risk management considerations for your business.

Describe your business structure and the contracts you have now or could have in the future.

If you have a lease or are considering leasing premises, add the terms and conditions of the lease and any actions you need to take to your plan.

To complete the other legal section, learn about:

• legal requirements for businesses
• selecting the right business location
• business insurance
• intellectual property: the basics
• legal and ethical selling
• your responsibilities as an employer .

Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) if you need information about licences that relate to your business.

To identify the risks to your business, your business plan should also:

• outline and demonstrate that you have considered the risks to your business (a business risk analysis) and the possible consequences
• summarise the plans you have in place for overcoming these risks.

A risk matrix tool or risk management plan can be developed to help you analyse your business risks—read more about identifying and managing business risk .

You will also need to consider business continuity planning to prepare for unexpected situations.

• 7.1 Location
• 7.2 Production
• 7.3 Current performance
• 7.4 Plant and equipment
• 7.6 List of major suppliers
• 7.7 Stock and inventory

This section will cover all you know about how you do things in your business—for example, your standard operating procedures and how to ensure the quality of your products and services.

To better understand your business operations, read about:

• business processes, procedures and standards
• choosing the right business location
• stock control: the basics .
• 8.1 Management and key personnel
• 8.3 Training
• 8.4 Recruitment
• 8.5 Succession planning

This section helps you note your current workforce structure and plan for the workforce you will have in the future as you grow, and for potentially passing the business to a successor.

Your business plan will detail your business's organisational structure (proposed or actual)—this is often shown as a diagram representing the business hierarchy, different roles within the business and how they relate to one another.

You should also consider succession planning, even if you haven't thought about how you would sell or pass on the business.

• workforce planning for small business
• training and developing staff
• passing a business to a successor .
• 9.1 Start-up costs
• 9.2 Profit and loss forecast
• 9.3 Cash flow forecast
• 9.4 Balance sheet
• 9.5 Financial ratios

Your business plan should include your business finance details—there is a separate business finance template you can also complete.

Summarise your key financial details, including:

• costs for establishing or operating the business
• sales needed to break even
• projected cash flow
• funding arrangements
• payment plans.

You can assess the financial performance of your business using financial ratios .

• 10.1 Review and update business goals
• 10.2 Make a schedule to review your actions

The final section of the business plan should include a set of actions to take before you review your business plan next, and check your progress. This should be over a 6–12 month period, based on the business goals outlined in your plan.

Set a regular review date for the actions and the business plan. Assess which actions have been completed, which remain outstanding and which require updating to help your business plan remain relevant.

Read about skills for running a business to consider ways to improve your time management and leadership.

Optional business plan elements

While not essential, the following can supplement your business plan.

Business vision statement and business values

A comprehensive business vision statement defines what your business does and why it is important.

This could be added in more detail in your business plan and referred to in your executive summary. Find out how to create a business vision .

Business values are the principles, beliefs, and standards of behaviour that guide your business. Including this in your plan will better reflect your goals for the business.

Customer journey strategy

This section could include details of your business's key customer service strategies.

Consider mapping out the intended customer journey—the intended path customers will follow when interacting with your business.

Start with a short business plan

A 1-page business plan can be a good place to start your business planning.

It can cover only high-level information about your business value proposition (i.e. why a customer would want to buy your products and services) and business model.

A one-page plan can include details about:

• your business vision and values
• projected income and expenses
• identified business risks
• the customer segments you intend to target
• the value proposition of your business
• channels that could be used to reach your target customers (e.g. direct or online marketing)
• your customer service plan
• how you will receive payment for products and services
• the activities needed to achieve your outcomes
• the resources you will need
• details of any partners you will use to provide goods and services
• the cost structure for your products and services (based on all items as listed in the plan).

You can search online for tools that can help you create this plan—for example, a value proposition canvas or business model canvas .

Once you are satisfied with this short business plan, you can use it as the basis for your full business plan.

Communicating your business plan

Communicating your business plan to your staff and stakeholders is essential for implementing it and achieving your business goals, even when starting out with a small team.

Some practical tips for communicating the plan include:

• being mindful of your audience—different communication styles will suit different audiences (e.g. you may be able to communicate more informally with your staff than with your stakeholders, board members or investors)
• choosing an appropriate format, time and place—you could hold a staff meeting, schedule a business plan review session and invite all staff and stakeholders to attend, or create an online presentation
• using clear, concise and simple language
• making time to get feedback from your staff and stakeholders.

Read about skills for running a business for tips on developing your communication skills.

Learn about managing people through change .

Review and update your business plan

You will need to regularly review your business plan to ensure that it is relevant, achievable and up to date with any changes in your business.

Consider reviewing your business plan:

• at regular intervals (e.g. quarterly or annually)
• after a business SWOT analysis has been completed
• when raising capital (e.g. approaching the bank for a loan or pitching to an investor)
• before implementing growth strategies or new products
• when new staff members are added to the team
• when implementing a new organisational structure
• before changes in the industry or to legislation
• when preparing to sell the business .

To help you review your own plan, ask yourself the following questions:

• What will the review schedule be?
• Is the plan up to date?
• Have the business goals changed?
• Is the plan still matched to the business goals?
• Are market trends changing?
• Have there been major political, environmental, social or technological changes that affect your business?
• Have there been significant changes in your finances or need for capital?
• Is the plan still 'fit for purpose'?

Business planning resources and tools

The following planning resources and tools below can help you compile and update your business plan to ensure your business is on track to meet its goals.

• Small business planning webinar recording
• Writing a marketing strategy and plan
• Identifying and managing business risk
• Business processes, procedures and standards
• Plan your business finances
• Market and customer research
• Choosing and working with business advisers
• Networking in business
• Ask a mentor – business planning

Learn more about business planning with free, online courses .

Resources for finding licences, permits and codes of conduct

Use the Business Launchpad to discover all your licensing needs, compiled in your own customised guide.

You can also search for licences, permits and codes of practice using the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS).

Learn about codes of conduct and codes of practices from:

• the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
• WorkCover Queensland .
• Last reviewed: 8 Dec 2022
• Last updated: 1 Jun 2023

Sample Plans

Business plan example australia.

Whether you are growing your existing business or starting afresh, a business plan is a critical business tool. At Business Plans, we have produced thousands of business plans for businesses across Australia from diverse industries.

On this page, you will find business plan templates for hundreds of different businesses in Australia. We have sensitised these business plan samples and made them more generic to suit a wide range of businesses.

Simply pick your category, purchase the business plan template and customise the content to reflect your business. Why spend time writing a business plan when you can download a business plan template and customise it suitably

Business Plan Templates that Deliver Results

A good business plan can help you figure out a direction for your business, create strategies to reach your goals and improve your chances of securing finance.

But we also understand that  writing a business plan  can take a lot of time. If the very thought of writing an exhaustive business plan seems to overwhelm you, consider buying one of our business plan templates.

All of these business plan examples have been produced by our professional business plan writers who have many years of experience in the craft. We have used our extensive experience, in-depth knowledge and expertise to create compelling business plans that have achieved staggering results for our clients.

Now take advantage of our skills by using some of our proven business plans for your business.

You don’t have to spend endless hours writing out your business plan from scratch. Nor do you have to pay for a custom written business plan to a professional writer. Simply download one of our previous works that have been sensitised into a generic template and get going!

Why Use a Business Plan Template?

A good business plan template can help organise your thoughts. It can provide a guideline so you don’t find yourself stuck staring at a blank page figuring out where to begin.

What’s more, a business plan sample provides a general layout of a standard business plan so you understand what goes where whilst ensuring you don’t leave anything out.

A good template also makes the job of writing a business plan easy and effortless.

Need More Information?

Can’t find a template for your business? Perhaps you have a question about our business plan samples. Feel free to contact our friendly team for assistance. Fill in our contact form  or call  1300 630 330 .

White Goods Business Plan

Get your business plan done today!

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete.

The White Goods Retailer business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian White Goods Retailer applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of retail businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money!  Visit Page And Purchase

Wine Bar Business Plan (suitable for Bar Business Plan)

The Wine Bar business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Wine Barapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Wedding Planner Business Plan

The Wedding Planner business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

However, if we take them at their simplest form an Investor invests the funds required in return for an equity stake in the business. They then sit back and wait for a return on their investment. Generally speaking with new start businesses or new technologies, the motivation for investment is not an annual return in the form of a dividend as they can go for a safer listed entity for this. They generally want to see their investment increase ten-fold or more over the medium-term through the business taking off.

A Business Angel will get involved in the business and will bring to the table business and/or industry experience and contacts. They will take a mentoring role to ensure the business has every chance of success. They may commit funds but will see their main investment in the business as ‘sweat equity’ working in the business in return for an equity stake in the business.

For more information on Investors and Business Angels please read our article, Investor or a Business Angel?

Vineyard Business Plan

The Vineyard business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian businessapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Security Services Business Plan

The Security Services business plan is a 17 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Security business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of business. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Please call us if you would like any assistance in this matter.

Tiler (trade )Business Plan

The Tiler’s business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Tiling Business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of trades. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Seafood Distributor Business Plan

The Seafood Distributor business plan is a 19 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Seafood Distributor applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

The goal when preparing a business plan for investors is to provide sufficient information for them to know whether they are interested in the concept and want to know more, or they understand the concept and are not interested.

We try to limit business plans for investors to between 20 -30pages. It is important to cover off what makes your business so special, how you will commercialise and monetise your concept, who is involved in the project, the risks involved, and how the money will be spent.

For more information visit Investor Tips and Advice  Visit Page For how we can assist visit  exec-b-plan-investorsproposals-2400

Rooftiler Business Plan

The Roof Tiler’s business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Trade business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of trades. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Thai Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Thai Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Thai Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Vietnamese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Vietnamese Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Vietnamese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Steak House Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Steak House Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Steak House Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Spanish Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Spanish Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Spanish Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Russian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Russian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Russian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Seafood Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Seafood Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Seafood Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Pizza and Pasta Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Pizza and Pasta Restaurant business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Pizza and Pasta Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Mongolian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Mongolian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Mongolian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Malaysian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Malaysian Restaurant business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Indian Malaysian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Mexican Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Mexican Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Mexican Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Indonesian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Indonesian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Indonesian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Indian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Indian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Hamburger Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Hamburger Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Hamburger Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Hamburger Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Greek Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Greek Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Greek Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

French Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The French Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian French Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Chinese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Chinese Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Chinese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Restaurant business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Recruitment Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Recruitment business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Recruitment business applying for bank finance.

Real Estate Business Plan

Get your business plan done today! Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The car wash business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Real Estate business applying for bank finance.

Property Development Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Property Development business plan is a 12 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Property Development business applying for bank finance.

Psychologist Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Psychologist’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Psychologist’s business applying for bank finance.

Post Office Business

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Post Office business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Post Office applying for bank finance.

Plumbers Business Plans

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Plumber’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Plumbing business applying for bank finance.

Personal Trainer Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances.

Visit Page And Purchase

Photographers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Photography business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Photography business applying for bank finance.

Painters (Trade) Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Painter’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian painting business applying for bank finance.

Online Store Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Online Store business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Online Store business applying for bank finance.

Business Consultant Business Plan

Builders business plan.

The Builder’s business plan is a 22 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian builder applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Beauty Salon & Hairdresser Business Plan

The Beauty Salon and Hairdresser business plan is a 14 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of beauty realated businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Bakery Business Plan

The bakerybusiness plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian bakery applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of bakeries. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Asian Grocery Business Plan

The Asian Grocery business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian based Asian Grocery business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of grocery businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Also suitable for:

Retail space rental applications Equipment lease applications Most other third-party requests Payment processed securely through PAYPAL. You do not need a PAYPAL account to purchase. Alternatively phone our office to organise other payment methods.

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Accountant’s Business Plan

The accountant business plan is a 16 page business plan which is written for an Australian Accounting practiceapplying for bank finance. It is written in with standard services and generic operating elements to make it suit a wider range of practices. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Catering Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The catering business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian catering business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Carpenter / Cabinet Maker / Joinery Services Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances

Car Wash Business Plan

The car wash business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian car wash businessapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Car Hire Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The car hire business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian car hire business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money  Visit Page And Purchase

Camping Store Business Plan

Cake shop business plan, cafe business plan.

The cafe business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian cafe applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of cafes. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Nursery (Plants) Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Nursery business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Nursery business applying for bank finance.

Night Club Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Night Club business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Night Club business applying for bank finance.

Newsagency Business Plan

Do you need help to develop an effective  newsagency business plan?

We understand that a business plan is an essential document and that can enable you to win investors. If you are looking for ideas for a well-structured and convincing  newsagency business plan,  we can help you. At BusinessPlans, we offer specialist business planning services and can help you document your ideas in a clear and professional way. With our  business plan solutions , you can build a strong foundation for your business. Our  newsagency business plan  is crafted to comprehensively outline every aspect of your business and reflect its potential.

Make the right start for your business with our business plan solutions. Get your business plan done today!

You can now avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Newsagency’s business plan is a 15-page business plan written for an actual Australian Newsagency business applying for bank finance.

If you are looking for a  capability statement template , we have the perfect solution for you.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money! Avail our business planning services today to get solutions that are second to none.  Visit Page And Purchase

My Franchise BusinessPlan

You are looking to purchase a franchise and the franchisor has asked for a business plan. We have written many business plans for all the major Australian franchises.

How we can help you

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Service Options:

The 48 Hour Plan ($495+gst)

The 48 Hour Plan is the perfect solution for those seeking a franchise business plan. Best of all we only need 1 hour of your time and we do all the work. We will include what the franchisor is looking for and also offer the option to have us do the financial projections all banks want to see. $495+gst …more

DIY Options

Template Help (by a real Consultant in Australia) ($275+gst)

You have a business plans template or want to use one. You would like a professional to help you understand the template and personalise it for your own need. A Consultant will help customers by explaining each part of the template in detail, answer questions, help personalise it and remain available for 7 days (BHs)..…more

The Trilogy Workbook and Template ($25+gst)

The Trilogy Workbook and Template lets you write your own franchise business plan. It is a 50 page workbook and we also give you a template to type straight into. It includes helpful tips and hints along the way

Franchise Business Plans ($22)

Actual business plans for major Australian franchises

Men’s Fashion Retail Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Men’s Fashion Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Men’s Retail Fashion business applying for bank finance.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money!

Massage Services Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Massage Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Massage business applying for bank finance.

Lawyers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Lawyer business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an Australian Legal services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Landscaper Designers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Landscape Designers business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Landscaping business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Ladies Fashion Retail Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Ladies Fashion Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Fashion Retailer business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Jewelry Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The jewelry business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Jewelry business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The ice cream shop business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Ice Cream Shop business applying for bank finance.

Hotel Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The jewelry business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Hotel business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Gym Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Gym business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Gymapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Giftwear Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Giftwear Shop business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Giftwear business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

General Store Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The General Store business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian General Store applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Gardners Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Gardener’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Gardening business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Furniture Manufacturing Business Plans

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Furniture Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Furniture Retailing business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The White Goods business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian White Goods business applying for bank finance.

Wendy’s Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Wendy’s business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Wendy’s business applying for bank finance.

Top Snap Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Top Snap business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Top Snap business applying for bank finance.

Subway Business Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Subway business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian Subway business applying for bank finance.

Salsa Fresh Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Salsa Fresh business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian Salsa Fresh business applying for bank finance.

Refund Home Loans Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Refund Home Loans business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Refund Home Loans business applying for bank finance.

Nandos Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Nandos business plan is a 19 page business plan written for an actual Indian Nandos Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

If you are looking for a  florist business plan , we have the perfect solution for you.

Muffin Break Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Muffin Break business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Muffin Break business applying for bank finance.

Matchbox Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Matchbox business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Matchbox business applying for bank finance.

Japanese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Japanese Restaurant business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Indian Japanese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Italian Restaurant Business Plan

Gloria jeans business plan, foodworks business plan, donut king business plan.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Donut King business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Donut King business applying for bank finance.

Coffee Club Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Coffee Club business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Coffee Club business applying for bank finance.

Franchise Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The franchise business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian franchise business applying for bank finance.

Florist Business Plan

Are you planning to start a florist business and looking for ideas to develop a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that defines a business and enables you to structure it efficiently. It is a critical document and may be required in the process of availing a loan and setting short and long-term goals. Developing a business plan is a vital step as a well-constructed plan can help you to drive your business towards success.

BusinessPlans offers specialist business planning service that is second to none. If you are looking for a  florist business plan,  avail the service of our experts to develop a  professional business plan . With our experience, we possess the expertise to create bespoke  florist business plans  that can immensely help your business to grow.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Florist business plan is a 16-page document written for an actual Australian Florist business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

With our efficient business planning service, we intend to simplify it for you. Our business plan is designed to be powerful and can help your business stand out from its competitors.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirement and craft an effective  florist business plan.  We just don’t present what you tell us, if we think the matter can be improved we let you know and discuss it with you.

Engineering Services Business Plan

The Engineering Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Engineering Services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Electricians Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Electricians business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Electrician business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Electrical Installation & Cabling Services Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Electrical Installations & Cabling Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Electrical & Cabling business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Dog Training School Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Dog Training School business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Dog Training School business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Day Tours Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Day Tours business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Day Tours business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Counselling Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Counselling business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Counselling business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Computer Repairs Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Computer Repairs business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Computer Repair business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Commercial Building Safety Services Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances. Visit Page And Purchase

Clothing (wholesale) Business Plan

The Wholesale Clothing business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Clothing Wholesale business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Cleaning Services business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Cleaning Services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

This business plan suits both residential and commercial cleaning services.  Visit Page And Purchase

Childrens Clothing Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Childrens Clothing Shop business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Childrens Clothing business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Children’s Play Centre Business Plan

Child care centre business plan.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The child care centre business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Child Care Centre business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Charity Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The charity business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian charity business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

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How to write a business plan

6-minute read

You've got a great idea and you're keen to get started. But for the best chance of success it's important to put together a detailed business plan that describes and establishes key aspects of your new enterprise.

What we'll cover

• Why you should write a business plan  
• The key elements of a strong business plan
• Where to get a business plan template
• How to take payments in your business.  

Key take-outs

• A good business plan helps you prioritise efforts, control outcomes, and establish business credibility
• Include details about your products or services, market, business structure, ownership, marketing, operations and finance
• Use your business plan to list and monitor ongoing action items as your business develops
• Review and refine your business plan regularly.

Why do I need a business plan?

Every business owner knows that part of the challenge is juggling all the elements and demands that have to be considered, as well as regulatory requirements. You have to become an instant expert on areas that may be outside your expertise, such as commercial property, business insurance, advertising, marketing and employment law, plus much more.  

A good business plan helps you separate out each aspect of your business, so you can focus on one factor at a time, rather than all at once. Other reasons to engage in this type of planning process are:  

• Helps you prioritise your efforts Stepping back from the granular details of starting and running a new business gives you time to reflect on the big picture, considering the things that will really matter to your future customers. That in turn will inform the priorities you need to focus on.  
• Gives you more control of outcomes The discipline of working through a plan – and constantly refining it over time – will encourage you to think about the factors that’ll most influence your likelihood of success. What’s working? And what isn’t?
• Supports you if you’re seeking finance Banks and other lenders – or potential investors – will expect to see a solid business plan to reassure them that your new enterprise is well run.

What needs to go into a business plan?

Every business is different, so there’s no definitive business plan structure – but here are some key elements you should consider for inclusion. It’s important to think of your plan as a living, breathing document that evolves over time as you build your business and gain knowledge, insights and experience along the way.

1. Executive Summary

Leave drafting this brief overview until last. It should summarise and define all other elements of the business plan, and cover:

• Your business vision and mission statement
• Differentiation from similar businesses
• Target market
• Company description and operating model
• Business ownership and management
• Expansion plans
• Short-term and long-term goals.  

2. Business and market analysis

Here’s where you talk about what type of business you’re starting and how it’ll fit into the local and broader market. Include things such as:  

• Style of business and the products and services you plan to offer
• Any competitive advantage you have
• Market research and competitor analysis
• Industry trends
• SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of your business idea.  

3. Marketing strategy

However great your business idea is, you can’t just start trading and hope for the best. In this section of your business plan give some thought to:  

• Marketing budgets – launch and ongoing
• Marketing objectives – what you hope to achieve in the short and long term
• Target markets – there may be different sectors you can target
• Brand position – the name and personality of your business
• Value proposition – such as competitively priced or prestige
• Digital optimisation – website and social media marketing
• Key marketing mediums – from leaflet drops to broadcast.  

4. Business structure and legal

You’ll need to choose a business structure (e.g., sole trader, partnership, company), which will generally reflect ownership and your desired level of liability. Other aspects to refer to in your business plan include:  

• Any licences you’ll need in order to operate
• Your responsibilities as an employer.  

5. Operating plan

Here you can detail how you plan to operate on a day-to-day basis, covering areas such as:  

• Sales channels (how and where you’ll be operating)
• Suppliers (how and where you’ll source any supplies or products you need)
• Vehicles and equipment (buy or lease)
• How you’ll take payments (see a section on this later)
• Management team (day-to-day)
• Roles and staffing levels (full-time versus part-time and casual)
• Contingency plans (for downturn periods, staff issues, weather, etc.).  

6. Financial plan

If you need a business loan to support your business, lenders will want to see your business plan, including details of:

• Start-up costs
• Operating expenses including labour costs
• Profit and loss forecast
• Cash flow statement and forecast
• Financial projections and ratios
• Results and balance sheets (once you’re trading).  

7. Action plan

This will likely be the most dynamic section of your business plan. It’s where you review and update business goals and note lessons learned and actions required in response to trading activity and market fluctuations.  

List the actions you plan to take before you review your business plan next; and note down any ongoing actions that have yet to be completed.

Where can I get a business plan template?

A search online will reveal numerous downloadable business plan templates. Accounting software services such as MYOB and Xero publish templates online too.

To save you looking further, the Australian Government’s Business website has a free business plan template you can download in Microsoft Word format. Or you could simply create your own template using the headings listed in this article.

How should I take payments in my new business?

The methods you’ll use to take payments should be detailed in your operating plan. Will you be getting paid remotely, face to face, or online? Or any combination of those? One of the keys to getting paid fast is to make it as simple as possible for customers to pay you. So, it’s a good idea to choose options that help them pay you the way they want to.

• Getting paid on invoice: I f your customers will be making bank-to-bank payments, you can just give them the BSB and account number of your bank account. However, if you’d rather not share your bank account details, you can ask customers to pay into your account using PayID ®, meaning you’ll only need to provide the unique number you’ve registered for the service – which could be your mobile number or ABN.
• Face-to-face payments: Depending on the nature of your business, you may want to take credit card and digital wallet payments with an  EFTPOS machine ; in which case you’ll need to decide if you want an  EFTPOS terminal that integrates with your point of sale (POS) system . Or for ultimate flexibility and portability, you can download and apply for the  EFTPOS Air  app to your compatible smartphone, which once finalised would allow you to take secure payments using your mobile alone. EFTPOS Air also features point of sale capabilities, so you can build menus of products or services on it.
• Online payments: If you’re building an eCommerce website using an off-the-shelf platform, it may already incorporate a payment gateway. But if you’re looking for your own way of accepting card payments online or by phone, you may wish to consider one of the eCommerce solutions provided by Westpac.  

The prospect of launching a new business is exciting and you’ll be keen to get started as soon as possible. It pays to invest time in detailing the mechanics of your business. A comprehensive business plan will set you off on a solid path to a successful enterprise, well prepared for the challenges ahead.

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Here are some of the first things you should think about to get your business off on the right foot.

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When your customers pay their invoices on time, you create stronger cash flow in your business.

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Things you should know

The information in this article is general in nature; does not take your objectives, financial situation or needs into account; and does not constitute financial or taxation advice. Consider its appropriateness to these factors; and we recommend you seek independent professional advice about your specific circumstances before making any decisions.

PayID is a registered trademark of NPP Australia Limited.

Free business plan template

• Download business plan template
• Try Xero for free

Download a business plan template and start bringing your ideas to life. Choose a one-pager, or multi-pager. Or try Xero accounting software for free.

Download the business plan template

Fill in the form to get a free business plan template as an editable PDF. We’ll send a one-pager and a multi-pager to choose from.

Privacy notice .

Getting started with the business plan template

We’ll send you two types of business plan template – a one-pager and a multi-pager. Choose the one that’s right for you. They come with instructions to help fill them out.

Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from ‘I should’ to ‘I did’.

One-page business plan template

Great for making a start

Helps you pin down the main idea

Easy to update as things evolve

Multi-page business plan template

Ideal for nailing down the details

Required by most investors and lenders

Good if you face big startup costs

Tips to help with your business plan

Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.

Financing your business

Need cash to get going? Check out our finance guide.

How to finance your business

Starting a business

Check out our guide for information about getting started.

How to start a business

Find a bookkeeper or accountant

Accoutnants and bookkeepers can help build financial resilience into your business budgets.

Find a financial advisor near you

Plan on making business fun

Are you looking forward to the bookkeeping and accounting that comes with a new business? Na, we didn’t think so. Xero can automate a lot of that stuff away for you.

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.

Start using Xero for free

Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business.

• Included Safe and secure
• Included Cancel any time
• Included 24/7 online support

Or compare all plans

Benefits of a business plan

Your business plan outlines:

• your vision for the business
• the actions that will help you achieve it

When you are starting out, your business plan can help you to secure financing and investment. But your business plan does more than tell others what your plans are. A good business plan can help you test the feasibility of your new business idea, set operational and financial objectives, and make sure your business is manageable and effective.

You will need to revisit your business plan regularly as your business evolves and the business environment changes. These changes could include increased competition, advances in technology or the expectations of your customers.

What to include in your business plan

A clearly written business plan should include:

• the vision and direction of your business – where are you now and where do you want to be?
• a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis – a good business plan won't only identify ways to make your business idea work, it can also help you identify reasons why your idea might not work so you can address them before you invest time and money
• a force field analysis – for each issue identified in your SWOT analysis, identify the positives and negatives of each issue and the actions you will take to address the issue

Write your business plan

Whether your business is just starting out, you're looking to sustain or you're looking to grow, our guide to writing a business plan can help you clarify your goals, figure out your barriers and come up with a plan of action.

Video: How to write a business plan in 8 steps

View transcript.

Whether you're planning to start a business or have been running it for years, business planning is the key to your success. A business plan helps you get finance, gives you control and direction and helps you set priorities.

Step 1: Define your vision

When you start a business, you have a clear goal to achieve this vision. After some time, the clarity of your vision may become blurry. Writing down your vision will help you define it for your staff to identify with your mission. Where are you now? Where do you want your business to be in the future?

Step 2: Set your goals

Make your goals and objectives realistic. Plan your short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals, including choosing your location; the number of customers you plan to reach and your customer demographics; your sales targets - revenue and profit margins; what you will outsource; your required staff numbers; and your growth strategy. Planning this strategy will help realise your dream and make your business thrive.

Step 3: Define your unique selling proposition

What makes you different from your competitors? Highlight the characteristics that make your business stand out from your competitors. Is there demand for your range of products or services? What can your business offer to increase demand?

Step 4: Research your market

Who are your competitors? What product range or services do they offer? Where are the gaps? Where is demand greater than supply and for which products or services? What are the current and future industry trends? How do you leverage these opportunities?

Conduct a SWOT analysis to explore the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats faced by your business; Think of all possible scenarios. List the issues and conduct a Force Field Analysis for each. This will help you determine clear actions to implement in order to address them.

Step 5: Know your customer

Do your research and define your target audience. Customers are spoilt by choice, so find out their buying habits. What does your ideal customer want? Get their feedback. Who are you targeting by age, gender, behavioural patterns or location? Find your niche.

Step 6: Set your marketing goals

Consider the product range and stock quantities to output or warehouse. Create a product development strategy. What is the price you should set to achieve your desired revenue? How will you handle distribution and delivery? What tools will you use for promotion?

Step 7: Define your marketing strategy

Include your chosen social media channels and engagement. How and where will you advertise - search engine marketing, print, radio or other media? Will you attend industry, trade or networking events?

Step 8: Talk to your accountant

Do your sums - are your financial goals and propositions realistic? How can you improve cash flow? How can you achieve your goals? Good business planning is a three-stage process:

• You PLAN for the future.
• You TRACK your progress.
• And you LEARN from your experience.

One of the most important things to remember is that a business plan is a living document. Just as your business evolves over time, so too should your plans. Set reminders in your calendar to revisit your plan every 3, 6 or 12 months. It's important to revise your goals according to your current status as changes occur over time. Make planning part of your business. It doesn't have to be onerous and it doesn't have to be done in solitude. Make it fun, get creative, and include others in your process.

For more information on business planning, visit business.vic.gov.au where you can access tools, workshops and resources to help you plan for your success.

Create your one-page action plan

A one-page action plan is an overview of the current situation, where you want to be and what you need to do to get there. It's also a practical way to record the outcomes of the planning process.

A one-page action plan has the following elements:

• 'Now' analysis – Summarise your current situation and issues in 4 or 5 points.
• 'Where' analysis – What is your vision? What is your competitive advantage? What are your key objectives?
• Strategies – What are the 3 or 4 key strategies you need to work on over the next 12 months? You can draw these from the SWOT analysis in your business plan.
• Action plans – List about 3 or 4 of the most important actions to complete to help achieve your strategies. You can draw these from the analysis of your key issues and strategies in your business plan.
• Timing – State when you aim to achieve the result and who is responsible for each task. These should be in priority order and are critical for accountability.

Get help in person

If you’re a first time business owner then you might need help working out how to action some of the steps you want to take. This might mean talking to an accountant, other business owners, a mentor, business coach or joining an industry group or your local chamber of commerce.

There's plenty of support available in Victoria to help you upskill and put you on the right track:

• Try one of our mentoring services or workshops .
• Get free advice and speak to subject matter experts with the Small Business Bus .

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Our guide to writing a business plan like a pro

If you’re looking to start a new business, an essential first step is to put together a business plan. Here are a few important elements to consider.

Business specialist ANZ Financially Ready

2023-11-23 05:30

What is a business plan?

• Business plans are an essential for all businesses
• What you need to include in your business plan
• Tools and templates to get you started

If you’re looking to start a new business, one of the first things you should do is put together a business plan. Like with anything in life, you can save yourself a lot of stress and grey hairs down the track if you take the time to set goals, think things through properly and implement systems from the get-go.

In its simplest form, a business plan is a document – physical or digital – that explains the goals of a business, how it will achieve them and generally how it will function. A business plan can also contain essential information, such as organisational structure, key staff and your product or service offerings.

While typically just an internal document,  a business plan can be very useful when trying to secure funding.  Both potential investors and banks will be interested in seeing it when considering if they should invest in your business.  So, it pays to have a plan in place.

Why is a business plan important?

Business plans can help you dig a little deeper and get a better understanding on different areas of your business. For example, it might help you understand how you’ll collect customer data or how to manage risks.

Another great reason why a business plan is a must-have is that it can help you refine how your business can make money. These plans give you the opportunity to conduct market research and identify gaps or work out what your value proposition truly is and how you can get an advantage over your competitors.

Filling out this document can also help you streamline other areas within your business, such as your finances and marketing. By having a holistic view of your business, you can make confident choices that are consistent with its values and direction.

What should you include in a business plan?

No two business plans are alike, but there are some things that all business plans should have, regardless of your business’ industry and type. As a starting point, we’re going to explain the different types of information that you might include in your business plan. You can also download our business plan template and follow along as we go through this list.

Business description

You need to describe the fundamentals of your business. Begin by asking yourself, "What industry am I in?" Answer this question with details about your products or services and the markets you intend to target.

Goals and objectives

Any business plan must have your business’ goals for the short-, medium- and long-term periods. These goals should be clearly and carefully defined and explain where your business intends to go and by when.

Objectives are the actual steps that your business will need to take to reach each goal. They tell you how to get where you want to go, helping your business focus on what matters. When writing your objectives, consider the different ways you will achieve your goals. What will you do? Who will be involved?

Risk management

Identifying the risks your business might face, and how you manage those risks, is essential for any business plan. By including risk management into your business plan, you can adopt a consistent approach to managing risks as a business, and all staff understand what they need to do should a risk occur.

Price positioning and strategy

How are you going to position your product or service in the market? Will you price low and compete on price with the aim of selling large volumes, or will you position your goods as luxury items? Your customers will want to get what they pay for, so it is important to be consistent with your price positioning.

Core competitive advantage

A core competitive advantage will help your business differentiate its goods or services from those of your competition. Conduct competitor research and compare your business to your competitors – think about how your offering can stand out from the crowd.

Cash flow forecast

It's vital to have an idea of your financial liquidity over a certain time period, say 12 months. Get a plan underway with a cash flow forecast (xlsx) that outlines each month’s projected cash on hand, receipts, payments and overall cash balance.

Ensure that you include every item and consider seasonal changes in sales. In addition, plan multiple scenarios such as an optimistic sales forecast and a pessimistic sales forecast.

Market research

Market research should be a core component of your business plan. Whether you get customer feedback through a short survey or face-to-face focus group, quality research can help you understand what your target market wants and enjoys about your offerings.

Both primary research (surveys, interviews and speaking to customers) and secondary research (government statistics, trade publications and information that's already been gathered) can be useful for improving different areas of business, such as the product itself, product distribution and your marketing channels.

Marketing plan

Now that you’ve conducted market research, you can use those findings to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy . You can determine which channels will work best for your product and market. For example, a fashion boutique targeted towards Gen Z might focus on social media and online marketing, whereas a professional services consultancy might focus more on local area marketing or networking events.

Ongoing development strategy

Your business plan may be most useful when establishing your business, but reviewing and improving your strategy as your business moves forward is just as important.

For your business to continue to develop and grow, you'll need to consistently check its foundations and structure while looking for areas that could do with a little refinement.

If you’re ready to start developing your own business plan, then you can download our Business plan template (PDF) . Or you can download and our Growing your business checklist (PDF) as a starting point.

Related articles

Ways to grow your business.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Start with these simple strategies.

Give your business direction with a clear strategy

We highlight the importance of taking time to think strategically and how to do it effectively.

Important information

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Read the  ANZ Financial Services Guide (PDF)  and, if applicable, the product  Terms and Conditions . Carefully consider what's right for you, and ask your lawyer, accountant or financial planner if you need help. 

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Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Simple Business Plan

By Joe Weller | October 11, 2021

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A business plan is the cornerstone of any successful company, regardless of size or industry. This step-by-step guide provides information on writing a business plan for organizations at any stage, complete with free templates and expert advice. 

Included on this page, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan and a chart to identify which type of business plan you should write . Plus, find information on how a business plan can help grow a business and expert tips on writing one .

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that communicates a company’s goals and ambitions, along with the timeline, finances, and methods needed to achieve them. Additionally, it may include a mission statement and details about the specific products or services offered.

A business plan can highlight varying time periods, depending on the stage of your company and its goals. That said, a typical business plan will include the following benchmarks:

• Product goals and deadlines for each month
• Monthly financials for the first two years
• Profit and loss statements for the first three to five years
• Balance sheet projections for the first three to five years

Startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses all create business plans to use as a guide as their new company progresses. Larger organizations may also create (and update) a business plan to keep high-level goals, financials, and timelines in check.

While you certainly need to have a formalized outline of your business’s goals and finances, creating a business plan can also help you determine a company’s viability, its profitability (including when it will first turn a profit), and how much money you will need from investors. In turn, a business plan has functional value as well: Not only does outlining goals help keep you accountable on a timeline, it can also attract investors in and of itself and, therefore, act as an effective strategy for growth.

For more information, visit our comprehensive guide to writing a strategic plan or download free strategic plan templates . This page focuses on for-profit business plans, but you can read our article with nonprofit business plan templates .

Business Plan Steps

The specific information in your business plan will vary, depending on the needs and goals of your venture, but a typical plan includes the following ordered elements:

• Executive summary
• Description of business
• Market analysis
• Competitive analysis
• Description of organizational management
• Description of product or services
• Marketing plan
• Sales strategy
• Funding details (or request for funding)
• Financial projections

If your plan is particularly long or complicated, consider adding a table of contents or an appendix for reference. For an in-depth description of each step listed above, read “ How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step ” below.

Broadly speaking, your audience includes anyone with a vested interest in your organization. They can include potential and existing investors, as well as customers, internal team members, suppliers, and vendors.

Do I Need a Simple or Detailed Plan?

Your business’s stage and intended audience dictates the level of detail your plan needs. Corporations require a thorough business plan — up to 100 pages. Small businesses or startups should have a concise plan focusing on financials and strategy.

How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Business

In order to identify which type of business plan you need to create, ask: “What do we want the plan to do?” Identify function first, and form will follow.

Use the chart below as a guide for what type of business plan to create:

Is the Order of Your Business Plan Important?

There is no set order for a business plan, with the exception of the executive summary, which should always come first. Beyond that, simply ensure that you organize the plan in a way that makes sense and flows naturally.

The Difference Between Traditional and Lean Business Plans

A traditional business plan follows the standard structure — because these plans encourage detail, they tend to require more work upfront and can run dozens of pages. A Lean business plan is less common and focuses on summarizing critical points for each section. These plans take much less work and typically run one page in length.

In general, you should use a traditional model for a legacy company, a large company, or any business that does not adhere to Lean (or another Agile method ). Use Lean if you expect the company to pivot quickly or if you already employ a Lean strategy with other business operations. Additionally, a Lean business plan can suffice if the document is for internal use only. Stick to a traditional version for investors, as they may be more sensitive to sudden changes or a high degree of built-in flexibility in the plan.

How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step

Writing a strong business plan requires research and attention to detail for each section. Below, you’ll find a 10-step guide to researching and defining each element in the plan.

Step 1: Executive Summary

The executive summary will always be the first section of your business plan. The goal is to answer the following questions:

• What is the vision and mission of the company?
• What are the company’s short- and long-term goals?

See our  roundup of executive summary examples and templates for samples. Read our executive summary guide to learn more about writing one.

Step 2: Description of Business

The goal of this section is to define the realm, scope, and intent of your venture. To do so, answer the following questions as clearly and concisely as possible:

• What business are we in?
• What does our business do?

Step 3: Market Analysis

In this section, provide evidence that you have surveyed and understand the current marketplace, and that your product or service satisfies a niche in the market. To do so, answer these questions:

• Who is our customer? 
• What does that customer value?

Step 4: Competitive Analysis

In many cases, a business plan proposes not a brand-new (or even market-disrupting) venture, but a more competitive version — whether via features, pricing, integrations, etc. — than what is currently available. In this section, answer the following questions to show that your product or service stands to outpace competitors:

• Who is the competition? 
• What do they do best? 
• What is our unique value proposition?

Step 5: Description of Organizational Management

In this section, write an overview of the team members and other key personnel who are integral to success. List roles and responsibilities, and if possible, note the hierarchy or team structure.

Step 6: Description of Products or Services

In this section, clearly define your product or service, as well as all the effort and resources that go into producing it. The strength of your product largely defines the success of your business, so it’s imperative that you take time to test and refine the product before launching into marketing, sales, or funding details.

Questions to answer in this section are as follows:

• What is the product or service?
• How do we produce it, and what resources are necessary for production?

Step 7: Marketing Plan

In this section, define the marketing strategy for your product or service. This doesn’t need to be as fleshed out as a full marketing plan , but it should answer basic questions, such as the following:

• Who is the target market (if different from existing customer base)?
• What channels will you use to reach your target market?
• What resources does your marketing strategy require, and do you have access to them?
• If possible, do you have a rough estimate of timeline and budget?
• How will you measure success?

Step 8: Sales Plan

Write an overview of the sales strategy, including the priorities of each cycle, steps to achieve these goals, and metrics for success. For the purposes of a business plan, this section does not need to be a comprehensive, in-depth sales plan , but can simply outline the high-level objectives and strategies of your sales efforts. 

Start by answering the following questions:

• What is the sales strategy?
• What are the tools and tactics you will use to achieve your goals?
• What are the potential obstacles, and how will you overcome them?
• What is the timeline for sales and turning a profit?
• What are the metrics of success?

Step 9: Funding Details (or Request for Funding)

This section is one of the most critical parts of your business plan, particularly if you are sharing it with investors. You do not need to provide a full financial plan, but you should be able to answer the following questions:

• How much capital do you currently have? How much capital do you need?
• How will you grow the team (onboarding, team structure, training and development)?
• What are your physical needs and constraints (space, equipment, etc.)?

Step 10: Financial Projections

Apart from the fundraising analysis, investors like to see thought-out financial projections for the future. As discussed earlier, depending on the scope and stage of your business, this could be anywhere from one to five years. 

While these projections won’t be exact — and will need to be somewhat flexible — you should be able to gauge the following:

• How and when will the company first generate a profit?
• How will the company maintain profit thereafter?

Business Plan Template

Download Business Plan Template

Microsoft Excel | Smartsheet

This basic business plan template has space for all the traditional elements: an executive summary, product or service details, target audience, marketing and sales strategies, etc. In the finances sections, input your baseline numbers, and the template will automatically calculate projections for sales forecasting, financial statements, and more.

For templates tailored to more specific needs, visit this business plan template roundup or download a fill-in-the-blank business plan template to make things easy. 

If you are looking for a particular template by file type, visit our pages dedicated exclusively to Microsoft Excel , Microsoft Word , and Adobe PDF business plan templates.

How to Write a Simple Business Plan

A simple business plan is a streamlined, lightweight version of the large, traditional model. As opposed to a one-page business plan , which communicates high-level information for quick overviews (such as a stakeholder presentation), a simple business plan can exceed one page.

Below are the steps for creating a generic simple business plan, which are reflected in the template below .

• Write the Executive Summary This section is the same as in the traditional business plan — simply offer an overview of what’s in the business plan, the prospect or core offering, and the short- and long-term goals of the company. 
• Add a Company Overview Document the larger company mission and vision. 
• Provide the Problem and Solution In straightforward terms, define the problem you are attempting to solve with your product or service and how your company will attempt to do it. Think of this section as the gap in the market you are attempting to close.
• Identify the Target Market Who is your company (and its products or services) attempting to reach? If possible, briefly define your buyer personas .
• Write About the Competition In this section, demonstrate your knowledge of the market by listing the current competitors and outlining your competitive advantage.
• Describe Your Product or Service Offerings Get down to brass tacks and define your product or service. What exactly are you selling?
• Outline Your Marketing Tactics Without getting into too much detail, describe your planned marketing initiatives.
• Add a Timeline and the Metrics You Will Use to Measure Success Offer a rough timeline, including milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs) that you will use to measure your progress.
• Include Your Financial Forecasts Write an overview of your financial plan that demonstrates you have done your research and adequate modeling. You can also list key assumptions that go into this forecasting. 
• Identify Your Financing Needs This section is where you will make your funding request. Based on everything in the business plan, list your proposed sources of funding, as well as how you will use it.

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

Microsoft Excel |  Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this simple business plan template to outline each aspect of your organization, including information about financing and opportunities to seek out further funding. This template is completely customizable to fit the needs of any business, whether it’s a startup or large company.

Read our article offering free simple business plan templates or free 30-60-90-day business plan templates to find more tailored options. You can also explore our collection of one page business templates . 

How to Write a Business Plan for a Lean Startup

A Lean startup business plan is a more Agile approach to a traditional version. The plan focuses more on activities, processes, and relationships (and maintains flexibility in all aspects), rather than on concrete deliverables and timelines.

While there is some overlap between a traditional and a Lean business plan, you can write a Lean plan by following the steps below:

• Add Your Value Proposition Take a streamlined approach to describing your product or service. What is the unique value your startup aims to deliver to customers? Make sure the team is aligned on the core offering and that you can state it in clear, simple language.
• List Your Key Partners List any other businesses you will work with to realize your vision, including external vendors, suppliers, and partners. This section demonstrates that you have thoughtfully considered the resources you can provide internally, identified areas for external assistance, and conducted research to find alternatives.
• Note the Key Activities Describe the key activities of your business, including sourcing, production, marketing, distribution channels, and customer relationships.
• Include Your Key Resources List the critical resources — including personnel, equipment, space, and intellectual property — that will enable you to deliver your unique value.
• Identify Your Customer Relationships and Channels In this section, document how you will reach and build relationships with customers. Provide a high-level map of the customer experience from start to finish, including the spaces in which you will interact with the customer (online, retail, etc.). 
• Detail Your Marketing Channels Describe the marketing methods and communication platforms you will use to identify and nurture your relationships with customers. These could be email, advertising, social media, etc.
• Explain the Cost Structure This section is especially necessary in the early stages of a business. Will you prioritize maximizing value or keeping costs low? List the foundational startup costs and how you will move toward profit over time.
• Share Your Revenue Streams Over time, how will the company make money? Include both the direct product or service purchase, as well as secondary sources of revenue, such as subscriptions, selling advertising space, fundraising, etc.

Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Download Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

Startup leaders can use this Lean business plan template to relay the most critical information from a traditional plan. You’ll find all the sections listed above, including spaces for industry and product overviews, cost structure and sources of revenue, and key metrics, and a timeline. The template is completely customizable, so you can edit it to suit the objectives of your Lean startups.

See our wide variety of  startup business plan templates for more options.

How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan

A business plan for a loan, often called a loan proposal , includes many of the same aspects of a traditional business plan, as well as additional financial documents, such as a credit history, a loan request, and a loan repayment plan.

In addition, you may be asked to include personal and business financial statements, a form of collateral, and equity investment information.

Download free financial templates to support your business plan.

Tips for Writing a Business Plan

Outside of including all the key details in your business plan, you have several options to elevate the document for the highest chance of winning funding and other resources. Follow these tips from experts:.

• Keep It Simple: Avner Brodsky , the Co-Founder and CEO of Lezgo Limited, an online marketing company, uses the acronym KISS (keep it short and simple) as a variation on this idea. “The business plan is not a college thesis,” he says. “Just focus on providing the essential information.”
• Do Adequate Research: Michael Dean, the Co-Founder of Pool Research , encourages business leaders to “invest time in research, both internal and external (market, finance, legal etc.). Avoid being overly ambitious or presumptive. Instead, keep everything objective, balanced, and accurate.” Your plan needs to stand on its own, and you must have the data to back up any claims or forecasting you make. As Brodsky explains, “Your business needs to be grounded on the realities of the market in your chosen location. Get the most recent data from authoritative sources so that the figures are vetted by experts and are reliable.”
• Set Clear Goals: Make sure your plan includes clear, time-based goals. “Short-term goals are key to momentum growth and are especially important to identify for new businesses,” advises Dean.
• Know (and Address) Your Weaknesses: “This awareness sets you up to overcome your weak points much quicker than waiting for them to arise,” shares Dean. Brodsky recommends performing a full SWOT analysis to identify your weaknesses, too. “Your business will fare better with self-knowledge, which will help you better define the mission of your business, as well as the strategies you will choose to achieve your objectives,” he adds.
• Seek Peer or Mentor Review: “Ask for feedback on your drafts and for areas to improve,” advises Brodsky. “When your mind is filled with dreams for your business, sometimes it is an outsider who can tell you what you’re missing and will save your business from being a product of whimsy.”

Outside of these more practical tips, the language you use is also important and may make or break your business plan.

Shaun Heng, VP of Operations at Coin Market Cap , gives the following advice on the writing, “Your business plan is your sales pitch to an investor. And as with any sales pitch, you need to strike the right tone and hit a few emotional chords. This is a little tricky in a business plan, because you also need to be formal and matter-of-fact. But you can still impress by weaving in descriptive language and saying things in a more elegant way.

“A great way to do this is by expanding your vocabulary, avoiding word repetition, and using business language. Instead of saying that something ‘will bring in as many customers as possible,’ try saying ‘will garner the largest possible market segment.’ Elevate your writing with precise descriptive words and you'll impress even the busiest investor.”

Additionally, Dean recommends that you “stay consistent and concise by keeping your tone and style steady throughout, and your language clear and precise. Include only what is 100 percent necessary.”

Resources for Writing a Business Plan

While a template provides a great outline of what to include in a business plan, a live document or more robust program can provide additional functionality, visibility, and real-time updates. The U.S. Small Business Association also curates resources for writing a business plan.

Additionally, you can use business plan software to house data, attach documentation, and share information with stakeholders. Popular options include LivePlan, Enloop, BizPlanner, PlanGuru, and iPlanner.

How a Business Plan Helps to Grow Your Business

A business plan — both the exercise of creating one and the document — can grow your business by helping you to refine your product, target audience, sales plan, identify opportunities, secure funding, and build new partnerships. 

Outside of these immediate returns, writing a business plan is a useful exercise in that it forces you to research the market, which prompts you to forge your unique value proposition and identify ways to beat the competition. Doing so will also help you build (and keep you accountable to) attainable financial and product milestones. And down the line, it will serve as a welcome guide as hurdles inevitably arise.

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When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

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How to Write a Simple Business Plan | Australia

Published on April 27, 2023

Every business starts with an idea. But before you hit the ground running, you need a roadmap to guide you. You need a one-pager, a simple business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and the resources you’ll need to achieve success.

So how do you write a one-page business plan? Focus on the eight critical components that matter most – your unique proposition, market gap, target market, accounting, sales and marketing, financial projections, milestones, and A-team.

Why Businesses Should Start With a One-Page Business Plan

It’s tough finding the time to sit down and write a comprehensive business plan – only to find out that you aren’t going in the direction you were hoping for. That’s where a one-pager comes in.

A one-page business plan allows you to capture the essence of your business without drowning in the details. It keeps your vision and objectives front and centre. It trims the fat and focuses on what truly matters.

Plus, the short and sweet nature of a one-pager makes it the perfect complement of a sales pitch. A one-pager is easier for others to understand, which can be a big help when you’re looking for potential investors, partners, and stakeholders to put money behind your business idea.

Developing a Simple Business Plan

1. unique value proposition.

Hundreds of new businesses open every day. What makes you different?

Your answer is called your business’ unique value proposition or UVP. If you’re having difficulty with UVP crafting, start by considering your product or service’s key features and benefits.

What’s your competitive advantage?

Why should customers choose you?

Does your UVP resonate with your target market?

Your UVP should be at the heart of everything that you do – from marketing, sales, to business development. Don’t use buzzwords or generic statements. Be specific and creative. Take inspiration from the following well-known brands:

• Slack: “Where Work Happens”
• Spotify: “Music for Everyone”
• Aesop: “Pursuing a Distinctive Blend of Science and Nature”
• Canva: “Empowering the World to Design”
• Koala: “Better Sleep for a Better Tomorrow”

2. Market Opportunity and Solution

Pinpoint gaps or needs in your market that are not currently being met. In other words, spot market opportunities where your business can make a real, lasting impact. Don’t forget to consider market size and potential growth. Be realistic in your estimates, but don’t be afraid to think big and aim high.

Now outline the solution that your business provides. Again, place emphasis on the unique aspects of your solution. Keep an eye on market trends and shifts, as these can impact your market opportunity and solution.

3. Target Market and Competitive Analysis

Identify the customers you want to serve. When creating buyer personas, you have to be as detailed as possible, writing down factors such as demographics, geographic location, interests, pain points, and budget, among others. This helps you create marketing messages that resonate with them.

For example, for a bookkeeping and tax return services agency in Australia, one of the possible clients personas would be Sarah, a small business owner:

4. Small Business Banking and Accounting

Bulding a solid financial foundation is crucial for any business. Start by familiarising yourself with some accounting basics such as basic bookkeeping, creating accounting reports, and managing taxes.

Keep tabs on your expenses as soon as you start spending. Trust me – I’ve been handling the books of various businesses for decades. When you stay organized and compliant with Australian regulations, you’re saving yourself from potential fines and penalties down the road.

5. Sales and Marketing Strategy

You need to plan out exactly how you’ll read and engage with your target market. Ask yourself, “Which channels do my audience like the most?” With a well-informed answer in hand, define your traditional and digital marketing channels (e.g., newspaper, content marketing, email campaigns, paid ads).

Strategise your sales process: demand generation, lead nurturing, and conversion tactics. Optimise your sales funnel. Say, for instance, you might want to offer free resources, like e-books and webinars, to attract leads and build trust with prospects.

Don’t forget to set measurable goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the success of your campaigns.

6. Financial Projections

First, project your sales by considering factors such as market size, pricing, and customer demand. Once again, be realistic but optimistic in your estimates; it’s better to be conservative than overly ambitious.

Next, estimate your expenses, including fixed costs (e.g., rent, salaries) and variable costs (e.g., marketing, product development). Be thorough in your calculations. Consider that there could be potential fluctuations in costs over time. This calculation also helps you figure out your projected cash flow.

Finally, develop a break-even analysis to identify the point at which your revenues will cover your expenses. This gives you a better understanding and a clearer picture of your business’ financial viability.

7. Milestones

These are your stepping stones towards success.

Start by identifying the key achievements you want to accomplish within specific time frames, like launching a new core product, reaching a certain number of followers on social media, or hitting a revenue target. Create an action plan for each milestone.

Be prepared to adjust your milestones as your business evolves.

8. Your A-Team and Business Partners

A strong team is an invaluable asset for any business. You need people who are not only considered top talent, but they should also care enough about propelling your mission forward.

Consider building strategic partnerships with other businesses or organisations that complement your own. These relationships can provide mutual benefits, such as increased exposure, shared resources, and access to new markets.

You’ve Written Your One-Pager. Now What?

First of all, congratulations! You’ve taken the first step to creating your dream business come true. Now it’s time to put your plan into action – after all, a plan is only as good as its execution. Use your one-pager as a guide and refer to it regularly, making sure to update it as your business evolves. It’s okay if you don’t get everything right the first time around – flexibility and adaptability is key in the ever-changing world of business.

If managing your finances and staying compliant with tax regulations is a challenge you’d rather not face alone, The Bookkeeping Studio is here to help. Let us take the stress out of finances, so you can focus on growing your business (and perhaps turning your one-pager into a one-of-a-kind success story). Contact us today for a no-obligation chat.

Hey, my name’s Bindi Gethen ! I’m the founder of The Bookkeeping Studio in Australia. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, I have a deep understanding of the challenges that small and medium-sized business owners face when it comes to managing their finances.

I am passionate about empowering my clients with the financial information they need to succeed. My team and I pride ourselves on our commitment to exceptional value, accuracy, and confidentiality. Our virtual bookkeeping services include payroll, budgets, and management reporting, among others.

Not to toot our own horn, but we can assure you that you won’t find a bookkeeping partner like us anywhere else in the Southern Highlands.

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When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

How To Set Up A Business In Australia

Published: Apr 5, 2024, 1:18pm

Table of Contents

Determine how you’ll make money, decide on a business structure, register your business, open a business bank account, know the rules and protect your business, set up your online channels, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Want to be your own boss? Got an idea for a new or improved product or service people will pay for? Starting a business in Australia is exciting, but there are many conditions and costs involved in setting one up.

Know what’s needed for you to legally start trading by following the most essential steps we’ve outlined below.

Related : How to Make Money From Home

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Unless you can fund your business operations and then generate enough revenue to make a profit, your business is destined for failure eventually. You need to determine if your business is viable and how you’ll attract customers or investors.

It’s wise to develop a business plan that articulates your core goals and how you’ll achieve them. You can do this independently or seek the guidance of a professional business consultant.

A business plan might cover:

• What you’ll offer and how, your target market, your unique selling points, and pricing.
• Market research, branding, marketing plans, sales channels and customer service strategies.
• Location, equipment, inventory, software, payment systems, and suppliers you’ll need.
• The high-level legal, compliance and risk management facets of running your business.
• Whether you’ll have employees and how they’ll be recruited, paid and managed.
• Establishment and overheads costs, funding/loans, sales and cash flow projections.
• The timing, people, resources and activities needed to make your plan a reality.

Business Queensland and Business Victoria both provide helpful business plan templates.

Another critical aspect of business set-up—once you know your business idea has legs—is choosing a business structure that aligns with how you’ll operate. The structure you chose will affect how you’re taxed and your administrative burden.

There are four business structures in Australia:

• Sole trader: This gives you full control but also means you’re personally responsible for all business liabilities. It’s simpler too: you’ll report your business income in your individual tax return.
• Partnership: Two or more people who share control and business liabilities. Partnerships must prepare a separate partnership tax return.
• Trust: A separate legal entity where a single person/entity, the trustee, holds the business’ assets and is responsible for how its run—on behalf of others, known as beneficiaries. Requires a formal trust deed and can be more costly and complex to set-up. Liability is limited where the trustee is a company.
• Company: A separate legal entity. While your personal liability is limited with a company, it’s also more expensive and complex, requiring registration with ASIC and placing legal responsibilities on the director/s.

It generally pays to seek professional advice if you’re not sure whether a sole trader, partnership, trust or company structure is right for you.

There’s a multitude of different registrations needed to stay above board. Fortunately, you can do many in one online application process via the government’s Business Registration Service .

Here are the key registrations for Australian businesses:

Australian Business Number (ABN)

An ABN is a free, unique identifier you’ll need to:

• Add to your invoices to show clients and suppliers you’re legitimate.
• Avoid having businesses you invoice withhold tax.
• Be able to claim tax credits on business expenses.
• Set up a domain name with ‘.au’ in the URL.
• Register for GST and pay as you go (PAYG) withholding.

You’ll need an ABN before you can register your business name—but you can apply for both at once.

If you choose a company structure, you’ll first need to apply for an Australian Company Number (ACN) and company name. Be aware that fees apply .

Note, you’ll receive a separate Tax File Number (TFN) for your business—automatically issued by the Australian Tax Office (ATO)—once you apply for an ABN for a partnership, company or trust.

Business Tax Registrations

Common tax registrations include:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Pay as You Go (PAYG) withholding

As soon your annual business turnover cracks the $75,000 mark, you’re required to register to collect the Goods and Services Tax (GST). So, if you think you’ll be on track to earn more than that in your first year of operation—registering for GST up-front is smart.

According to the ATO , you also must register for GST if:

• Your business charges passengers for taxi services or limousine travel (including ride sharing).
• You want to claim Fuel Tax Credits (FTC) or need to register for the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) or Luxury Car Tax (LCT).

Once you’re registered for GST, you’ll need to complete regular business activity statements (BAS) .

If you’ll be employing people or have company directors to pay, you’ll need to register for PAYGW so you can collect tax from the income—and then report and pay this tax to the ATO. You’ll also need to register for PAYGW if you’ll be paying businesses that don’t provide you with an ABN.

[pro_tip As soon your annual business turnover cracks the $75,000 mark, you’re required to register to collect the Goods and Services Tax (GST). So, if you think you’ll be on track to earn more than that in your first year of operation—registering for GST up-front is smart

Business Name Registration

Your business name isn’t necessarily how you brand or market yourself. It’s the legal entity name of your business and allows you to operate Australia-wide.

ASIC’s fees for registering and renewing a business name are:

• $42 for one year
• $98 for three years

ASIC will send you a reminder by email 30 days before you need to renew your business name registration. A common and misleading tactic targeting business owners is unofficial letters or emails reminding you to renew and pay for your business name registration.

If it isn’t official correspondence from ASIC, you can ignore it. They’re either trying to scam you (the letter or email is fake), or profit from providing a service you don’t need (they add a charge on top of ASIC’s fee). Of course, some people may prefer to deal with a private service provider, accountant or solicitor to manage registrations and renewals—but carefully check their fees and legitimacy beforehand.

Registering a trademark isn’t required, but it could be a savvy way to protect your brand. For example, if another business owner trademarks a similar name to the one you use for your business, they could bring legal action against you.

Trademarking comes at a cost—a minimum of $250 and up to $600 through IP Australia .

You may wish to search existing trademarks before you settle on a business trading name.

Business bank accounts are critical for clean record-keeping for your business, even if you’re a micro business or sole trader. Keeping business funds separate is also a requirement if your business is structured as a company, trust or partnership.

Learn more in our guide to the best business bank accounts for Australians .

In addition to a business account, you might also explore accounting software that links to your bank transactions and helps you streamline invoicing, budgeting and organising your tax obligations.

Managing risk and staying compliant should be high on your list. It’s important to familiarise yourself with national and state fair trading laws and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission regulations that you’ll be subject to, so you’re not in conflict with industry standards, consumer law, safety rules or ethical practices.

Other legal matters to investigate include:

• Privacy and data collection laws. If you collect people’s details through a contact form on your site, you should also provide a privacy policy link.
• Employment, superannuation and workplace health and safety laws.
• Legal requirements around importing and exporting.
• Environmental protection laws, depending on your business kind.

Insurance can also provide a solid foundation for your business. Consider your need for:

• Workers’ compensation insurance (mandatory if you employ people).
• Public liability insurance (compulsory for some companies).
• Equipment or stock insurance.
• Income protection insurance.
• Management liability insurance.
• Cyber risk insurance.

Online shopping and research is the default nowadays, so one of the first steps you should take when setting up your business is securing your online presence. Regardless of whether you sell flowers from a market stall, have a bricks-and-mortar clothing store, or you build mobile apps—you’ll likely need a website for your business, and use social media for promotion.

Remember, you’ll need an ABN if you want to register a domain name for your website that indicates you’re Australian-based, such as ‘. com.au ‘, or ‘. net.au ‘. You may opt for .com if you’re selling into overseas markets.

Once you’ve determined the channels you want to focus on (e.g., Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn), you should set up accounts and choose a username that aligns closely with your business name. It’s probably unrealistic to have your business on every kind of social platform—you’ll need time to create content, engage with audiences and monitor messages.

Don’t forget your online presence on major marketplaces and search engines—such as a Google My Business profile, or dual listings of your products on sites like Amazon or eBay.

How much does it cost to register a business in Australia?

Registering your business name through the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) costs $42 for one year and $98 for three years.

What do you need to open a business in Australia?

To open a business in Australia, it’s recommended that you: develop a plan for how you’re business will attract customers and make a profit; select a business structure; apply for an ABN and register your business name; register for tax purposes such as GST and PAYG withholding; open a business bank account; become familiar with legal obligations; take out business insurance; and set up a website and other online channels for promotion.

Does ABN cost money?

Getting an ABN (Australian Business Number) is free, and anyone operating a business (or taking steps to start a business) in Australia is eligible. You can apply via the government’s Business Registration Service .

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Jody McDonald is a freelance writer based in Brisbane who specialises in writing about business, technology and the future of work. She’s helped a range of SaaS platforms and tech companies share their stories, and has written for the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia magazine, MYOB Pulse, Anthill Magazine, Crypto News Australia and The Chainsaw.

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Special Guests : JAX With Boys Like Girls & We The Kings

One of the most enduring names in the world of pop punk, Canadian rockers SIMPLE PLAN are set to return to Australia in April 2024, with special guests and fellow pop punk royals BOYS LIKE GIRLS and WE THE KINGS . With SIMPLE PLAN's Australian tour already sold out in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, today the band also announces second and final shows for all three sold out cities, as well as a venue upgrade for Melbourne. And now also joining the down under adventures in 2024 will be rising pop star JAX , who also recently collaborated on SIMPLE PLAN's reimagined single Iconic.

"Thank you to all our amazing Aussie fans for all the love and support and selling out all these dates! We’re so excited to be able to play more shows for you and move our Melbourne concert to such an iconic venue. We always jump at the chance to spend more time Down Under so we couldn't be more grateful!"

"We’re stoked to add our friend Jax to the tour - she’s amazing and we know our fans will be thrilled to see her perform!"

From their new millennium rise to MTV superstardom through to pop punk’s modern resurgence that has introduced their iconic, multi-platinum sound to new audiences around the world, SIMPLE PLAN have been an indelible part of pop culture for more than two decades, dominated by the fact that they’ve never lost sight of what got them there in the first place: their fans.

The quartet, formed in Montreal in 1999, enjoy the rare sort of artist-audience dynamic that’s never dulled over time. Free agents for the first time in their storied career, 2022 saw SIMPLE PLAN keep their circle tight to bring to life their sixth studio album Harder Than It Looks, with a lack of deadlines and pressure from external forces enabling them to finally deliver the record they wholeheartedly wanted to make. In doing so, they rekindled a spark they didn’t know was missing.

Revered for their timeless and immersive live performances, as well as smash singles including I'm Just a Kid and Welcome to My Life, SIMPLE PLAN's touring history spans Blink-182, Green Day, Avril Lavigne and Good Charlotte, as well as unforgettable festival sets across the globe, including their show-stopping appearance at Australia's Good Things Festival in 2019.

Since forming as teenagers in 2004, BOYS LIKE GIRLS have skyrocketed from their humble beginnings in damp basements and garages to wielding half a billion Spotify streams alongside multiple platinum and gold-certified releases. Following a hiatus and eventual jubilant return in 2016, BOYS LIKE GIRLS are set to release their first new album in over a decade, with SUNDAY AT FOXWOODS due out in 2023 before returning once more down under in 2024.

Armed with a buoyant spirit and emotionally poignant songwriting, Florida's WE THE KINGS erupted straight outta the gates in 2007 with their self-titled debut album, spawning the ear-candy single Check Yes Juliet which would go on to claim its stake as one of the most iconic songs of the late 2000s. Now in command of eight studio albums and a ever-growing legion of fans, WE THE KINGS' catchy material is as renowned their charismatic live show.

JAX is a rising pop star known for her soulful voice, powerful performances, and captivating stage presence who rose to prominence on TikTok with her viral and top 40 hit Victoria’s Secret. With her unique blend of pop and R&B elements, JAX has garnered attention and accolades from fans and industry professionals. She continues to make waves in the music industry with her infectious music and authentic persona.

Get set for an international pop punk celebration for the ages in 2024, you absolutely won't want to stay at home all alone next April.

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