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STARTING BUSINESS

Many valuable business resources are now available to help you decide if you should start up a new business in the recreation industry in Australia, and the planning you will need to set up your new venture.

Federal and State business agencies, and local councils have offices and staff located in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. These provide invaluable sources of regional and local information and are an important part of your local business network as well as the networks provided by your peak bodies.

The following resources are a good start. Check out these sites to locate business help near you.

Essential Business Contacts

Business Entry Point
A service developed by the Federal Government to help cut through the red tape for starting a new business and the compliance issues involved. Includes information on the Australian Business Number (ABN) and access to all relevant sites.
business.gov.au

Business Channel
The Business Channel is an electronic information service designed by the Victorian Government to bring Victorian agencies and services within easy reach of the business community, available 24/7. A useful site for information on starting a new business or, for an existing business operator who needs to keep in touch with Government changes and services.
business.channel.vic.gov.au
Check under Business Location for Councils offering business services in your area.

Victorian (Business) Names Register
An online register of registered Victorian Business Names is now available at:
consumer.vic.gov.au
Search under Business Names for the necessary information and cost for registering a business in Victoria including forms as well as checking if your intended Business Name is already registered. An online registration for many types of businesses will be available shortly – this may save you considerable effort in travelling into the CBD to register personally.

Company Names
For Australian Company registrations see the Australian Securities and Investment Commission site.
asic.gov.au

Victorian Business Line
13 22 15 (Mon-Fri 8.30-5pm)

Business Licence and Information Service (BLIS)
BLIS provides comprehensive service on the Victorian, local and federal government licences and Victorian Code of Practices.

Access to BLIS is via the Business Channel www.business.channel.vic.gov.au/blis and the Victorian Business Line (see above).

Key licences required for the outdoor recreation and tourism industry include:

  • Parks Victoria for Tour Operator Licences and permits to some national, state and council parks. It is the responsibility of operators to obtain appropriate permits for activities to operate on council and foreshore reserves, and private land parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/16_0696.pdf for a tour operator licence application/renewal
  • Bus Operator Accreditation doi.vic.gov.au/transport A Bus Operator Accreditation Help Kit is available from the Department of Infrastructure.
  • Food Safety health.vic.gov.au/foodsafety A health site supported by the Victorian Department of Human Services with coverage of all related information for food retailing business and general food handling.
  • orc.org.au/aasdocuments/AAS_Food_Sustainability_lo.pdf Outlines responsibility of the organisation and group leaders for the handling and preparation of food.

Area Consultative Committees

The national network of Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) provides an important link between the Federal Government and rural and metropolitan Australia. As volunteer community based organisations, ACCs are uniquely placed to respond to issues in their regions and provide a vital conduit to government on local, social and economic conditions. ACCs work in partnership with the Department of Transport and Regional Services to identify opportunities, priorities and development strategies for their regions.

There are 56 ACCs across Australia. Refer to this site for your local Committee.

Peak Bodies

Several peak bodies service the business, social and volunteer communities across the outdoor recreation industry.

Government Bodies:

State and National Peak Bodies:

Other Key Bodies:

Health:

Pre Business Seminars

Pre business seminars are a good investment in your time and effort to help you establish if the industry has potential opportunities for your new business idea. Early market research should enable you understand the business risks involved in starting a new venture.

Seminars on starting a new business are frequently scheduled by:

  • Tourism Alliance Victoria
    These cover the essentials for new business for this broad industry. Tourism Alliance Victoria, Business Access, Tourism Victoria and the OAMPS Group, have combined their expertise and resources to develop this introduction to the tourism industry for new operators. The aim is to provide a strategic insight across a range of essential business practices and improve overall business acumen and planning. Workshop notes and a comprehensive resource kit are provided.
  • Australian Taxation Office
    BizStart seminars run by the ATO are helpful if you’ve just started a business or are thinking of starting one. The seminars run throughout the year and cover a range of tax topics. To find out more or to make a booking, phone 1300 661 104

Publications:

Awards, Wages and Superannuation Resources

For further information on Awards & Wages check the following websites:

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