Do I need a business licence to operate in Australia?
No. Australia has no single business licence. You need a stack of registrations and permits set by three variables: what you do (industry), where you do it (state or territory plus local council), and who you are (structure, resident or foreign). A small online shop in Sydney may need only an Australian Business Number. A restaurant in Melbourne or a builder in Brisbane needs far more.
The honest answer to “business licence Australia” is that the term is a search phrase, not a government product. There is a free federal tool, the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS), that tells you exactly which permits your activity and address require. The table below shows the three layers you clear.
| Layer | What it controls | Typical registrations | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Identity, tax, high-risk industries | ABN, ACN, GST, TFN | business.gov.au |
| State or territory | Occupational and industry licences | Liquor, building, food, security | State regulators |
| Local council | Day-to-day operating permits | Zoning, food registration, signage | ABLIS |
What is ABLIS and how do I use it?
The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) is a free national tool that lists the local, state and Australian government licences, permits, approvals and codes of practice your business needs, per its ABLIS about page. Answer a guided questionnaire about your activity and location, or search a licence by name. It surfaces requirements. It does not explain them.
That is the gap this guide fills. ABLIS is delivered by a partnership of Australian, State and Territory governments, per its about page, so its results are authoritative. You can also phone the service on 13 28 46, the same enquiry line business.gov.au publishes. Treat ABLIS as a repeatable step: run it once for your structure, again for each address, and export the tailored list before you apply.
What federal registrations does every Australian business need?
Every business needs an Australian Business Number (ABN), and companies also receive an Australian Company Number (ACN). All structures need a tax file number (TFN), and employers must register for Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding. The ABN is free and issues fast; paid third-party sites add no value.
Avoid those third-party sites. The ABN is free through the Australian Business Register, and the ACN comes automatically when you register a company, not as a separate application.
| Registration | Who needs it | Issuer | Cost | Timing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABN (11 digits) | Every business | Australian Business Register | Free (AUD 0) | Immediate, or up to 28 days on review | business.gov.au |
| ACN (9 digits) | Companies only | ASIC | Included in company registration | Usually same day online | ASIC |
| TFN | All structures | ATO | Free | Varies | ATO |
| PAYG withholding | Employers | ATO | Free | With registration | ATO |
Without an ABN, payers must withhold 47% from payments to you above AUD 75 excluding GST, per the ATO no-ABN withholding rules effective 1 July 2017. For companies, the ABN is the 9-digit ACN with two check digits added, per ASIC, so the two numbers are linked.
How does your business structure change what you register?
Your structure decides which identifiers you collect and who registers you. Sole traders use their individual TFN and add an ABN. Partnerships and trusts need their own TFN plus an ABN. Companies register with ASIC for an ACN, then get a separate company TFN and an ABN. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sets these rules.
| Structure | Identifiers needed | Registered with | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader | Individual TFN + ABN | Australian Business Register | ATO |
| Partnership | Partnership TFN + ABN | Australian Business Register | ATO |
| Company (Pty Ltd) | ACN + company TFN + ABN | ASIC, then ABR | ASIC / ATO |
| Trust | Trust TFN + ABN | Australian Business Register | ATO |
When do I need to register for GST?
Register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) when your current or projected annual turnover hits AUD 75,000, or AUD 150,000 for non-profits, per the ATO. Taxi and rideshare operators register from the first dollar. GST is a flat 10%, unchanged since July 2000, per the ATO GST guide.
Register with the Australian Business Register alongside your ABN, or later through the ATO once you cross the threshold. Processing is usually immediate but can take several days. GST registration never expires. The ongoing duty is lodging a Business Activity Statement (BAS) monthly, quarterly or annually.
| GST rule | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard turnover threshold | AUD 75,000 | ATO |
| Non-profit threshold | AUD 150,000 | ATO |
| Taxi and rideshare | Any turnover | ATO |
| GST rate | 10% | ATO |
| Low-value imported goods threshold | AUD 1,000 | ATO |
Overseas sellers can owe GST too. GST applies to imported digital services and to low-value imported goods under AUD 1,000 sold to Australian consumers, per the ATO.
Which industries need a federal licence?
High-risk industries need federal licences on top of the general stack. These never replace state or council permits. Aviation, telecommunications, financial services, imports, therapeutic goods and defence goods each answer to a named Commonwealth regulator. You clear these before you trade.
| Industry | Regulator | What the licence covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation | Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) | Air operator certificates, maintenance | CASA |
| Telecommunications and broadcasting | Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) | Carrier and broadcast licences | ACMA |
| Banks and insurers | Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) | Prudential authorisation | APRA |
| Financial advice and markets | ASIC | Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) | ASIC |
| Import and export | Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) | Customs and biosecurity permits | ABF / DAFF |
| Therapeutic goods | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) | Medicines and medical devices | TGA |
| Defence goods and firearms | Department of Defence and state police | Controlled goods and firearms licences | Dept of Defence |
What business licences do NSW, VIC and QLD require?
Each state runs its own regulators. The same restaurant or building firm needs different licences in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Food, liquor and building are the most commonly licensed activities. The table names the regulator for each. Western Australia (Consumer Protection and Building and Energy) and South Australia (Consumer and Business Services) run parallel systems.
| State | Industry | Regulator | Licence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Food | NSW Food Authority + local council | Notification plus council registration | NSW Food Authority |
| NSW | Liquor | Liquor & Gaming NSW | Liquor licence | Liquor & Gaming NSW |
| NSW | Trades | NSW Fair Trading | Trade licences | NSW Fair Trading |
| VIC | Building | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) | Practitioner registration | VBA |
| VIC | Food | Local council under the Food Act | Registration, safety supervisor, health and outdoor trading permits | Council |
| VIC | Liquor | Liquor Control Victoria | Liquor licence | Liquor Control Victoria |
| QLD | Building | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | Builder and trade contractor licences | QBCC |
| QLD | Food | Local council | Food business licence | Council |
What occupational and professional licences apply?
Some licences attach to the person, not the business. Health practitioners register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Lawyers hold a practising certificate from their state legal body. Accountants certify under CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants ANZ. Electricians, plumbers and builders hold state licences from bodies like QBCC and the VBA.
Real estate agents, security officers and teachers each need state registration too. The distinction matters: an occupational licence covers the individual, while a business or activity licence covers the operation. Many owners need both at the same time.
What council approvals do local businesses need?
Local councils control the day-to-day operating layer: planning and zoning approval, development applications, food business registration, health permits, outdoor dining and trading permits, signage, waste and home-based business permits. A Melbourne cafe, for example, needs council food registration, a health permit and an outdoor trading permit before service.
Requirements vary by council and by address. Run your exact street address through ABLIS to surface the precise council approvals that apply, then confirm the fee and timeline with the council directly.
How do I apply for a business licence in Australia? Step by step
Work federal to local. The base registrations are fast; the licensed layers are the bottleneck. Follow these seven steps in order and calendar the renewals at the end.
- Choose your structure and ANZSIC code. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) is the activity code the Australian Business Register asks for at registration. It drives which licences apply. Find yours in the ABR code lookup.
- Register the ABN for free through the Australian Business Register. If you are incorporating, register the company with ASIC first so the ACN issues.
- Register for GST if turnover will reach AUD 75,000, or immediately if you drive taxi or rideshare.
- Run your details through ABLIS and export the tailored list of licences, permits and council approvals.
- Apply for state licences such as liquor, building or food, using the regulators named above.
- Apply for council permits for zoning, food, signage and outdoor trading.
- Pay the fees and calendar every renewal date so nothing lapses.
How much does a business licence cost in Australia?
The ABN is free. Costs come from ASIC fees, state licences and council permits. Most ASIC fees index each 1 July with CPI, so check the live schedule before you pay. The verified 2026-27 amounts are below.
| Item | Fee | Frequency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABN | AUD 0 | Once | Australian Business Register |
| GST registration | AUD 0 | Once | ATO |
| Business name | AUD 47 (1 year) / AUD 108 (3 years) | 1 or 3 years | ASIC |
| Company registration (Form 201) | AUD 636 | Once | ASIC |
| Company annual review | AUD 342 standard / AUD 70 special purpose | Annual | ASIC |
State and council fees vary by licence class, so use the regulator’s published schedule (for example QBCC or Liquor & Gaming NSW) rather than a general estimate.
How long does it take to get a business licence in Australia?
The federal layer is fast. The licensed layers are slow. An ABN and a company registration can be done in a day. Industry licences that need probity checks and inspections take weeks to months. The table gives typical times per registration.
| Item | Typical time | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ABN | Immediate online, or up to 28 days on review | Australian Business Register |
| GST | Typically immediate, can take several days | ATO |
| Company registration | Usually same day online | ASIC |
| State liquor and building licences | Weeks to months (probity checks, inspections) | State regulators |
What do foreign founders and non-residents need?
The licence stack is the same. The identity and presence requirements are heavier. A foreign entity applying for an ABN must prove identity and show it carries on an enterprise in Australia. A proprietary company (Pty Ltd) needs at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001. A registered foreign company must appoint a local agent.
Directors also need a director identification number (Director ID) before appointment. ASIC registration requires certified incorporation documents from the home jurisdiction. And you can owe Australian GST on imported digital services and low-value goods without any Australian entity at all, per the ATO. Check the current resident-director and local-agent rules against ASIC guidance before you commit to a structure.
Do e-commerce sellers need a business licence?
A domestic online retailer usually needs only an ABN, plus GST registration once turnover passes AUD 75,000. No food-style council permits apply unless the products are regulated, such as food, therapeutic goods or alcohol. The product decides the extra layer, not the online channel.
Overseas e-commerce sellers face the cross-border rules. If you ship low-value goods to Australian consumers and your Australian turnover passes AUD 75,000, you must register for GST, per the ATO, even with no local entity.
What are the penalties for operating without the right licence?
Penalties are regulator-specific: fines, stop-work or closure orders, and prosecution in regulated industries. Missing an ABN triggers 47% withholding on payments to you above AUD 75 excluding GST, per the ATO. Councils can shut unlicensed food premises. QBCC can prosecute unlicensed building work in Queensland.
Each regulator sets its own scale, so confirm the penalty on the relevant regulator’s site before you rely on a number. The safe path is to clear every layer ABLIS lists before you trade.
How Commenda helps with Australian business licensing
There is no single Australian business licence. There is a stack you can enumerate with ABLIS and clear with the seven steps above. The federal registrations are fast. The state and council licences, and the foreign-founder rules, are where launches stall.
Commenda’s incorporation service sets up your Australian entity and handles the ABN, ACN and GST registrations in the right order, including the ATO review that a foreign-owned Pty Ltd must clear before it trades. Use the company name checker to confirm availability first. After setup, Commenda’s entity management platform tracks your ASIC annual review, BAS lodgements and state licence renewals across jurisdictions, and the compliance calendar keeps every deadline in one place.
Book a demo to map every registration and licence your Australian launch needs before you commit to a structure.
