Frequently Asked Questions
What government grants are available?
I want to start a business but don’t know how to go about it.
How do I register a business name?
What are the legal requirements of starting a business?
I have an invention, is there funding available to assist with registering a patent?
Where can I be put in touch with a mentor?
Where can I get advice on how to write a business plan?
Where can I get advice on buying a business?
I am having trouble with my business. Who can I talk to?
Can Business Point provide me with advice on legal and insurance matters?
What award wage should I be paying my employees?
What government grants are available?
There is an extensive range of State and Commonwealth Government grants available for businesses. For a comprehensive list of government grants visit the Federal Government’s ‘Grants Link’ website.
In addition Business Point has an excellent knowledge of grants available for businesses within Tasmania, provided by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. If you would like more information or think you might be eligible for a grant you can access the Business Point website or give them a call on 1800 440 026.
I want to start a business but don’t know how to go about it.
A range of services are available to assist you establish your business including information about licensing requirements, business guides, and one-on-one business advice.
Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) provides you with everything you need to know about business licences, permits and compulsory codes of practice from State, Commonwealth and Local governments. This service can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
Business Point has a range of business guides with information to assist in the start up phase of your business. You can access these guides online or call Business Point on 1800 440 026 to have a selection sent to you.
You can access free one-on-one business advice about how to start a business at your local Enterprise Centre. This assistance is available to businesses with five or fewer employees to develop business ideas, provide guidance on business planning, and help develop management skills. You can access this service by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026 to be referred to your local Enterprise Centre or you can contact them directly through the contact details available from the Business Point website.
How do I register a business name?
Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS)is a good place to access information on registering a business name. BLIS also provides you with everything you need to know about business licences, permits and compulsory codes of practice from State, Commonwealth and Local governments. This service can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
Business Point can also send you information about business registrations. To request this information contact Business Point by phone or email on 1800 440 026, businesspoint@development.tas.gov.au.
Applications to register a business name can also be accessed online through the Consumer Affairs website.
What are the legal requirements of starting a business?
You can find out what the relevant legal requirements are for your business by accessing Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) which provides you with everything you need to know about business licences, permits and compulsory codes of practice from State, Commonwealth and Local governments. This service can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
Further information can be obtained from the business guides which can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
I have an invention, is there funding available to assist with registering a patent?
No, there is no funding available to assist with registering a patent; however, there are other programs available that may be of assistance to inventors.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has a number of workshops and programs that look at issues surrounding intellectual property and its role in the commercialisation process. Information about these programs as well as funding and grants for inventors can be found at the department’s Innovation, Science and Technology website or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
Additional information about intellectual property is also available from IP Australia.
I wish to relocate my business from the mainland to Tasmania. Is there any government funding available to assist with the cost?
No funding is offered for people to relocate their business to Tasmania; however, you may be eligible for other State or Commonwealth Government business grants. For a comprehensive list of government grants visit the Federal Government’s ‘Grants Link’ website.
In addition, Business Point has an excellent knowledge of grants available for businesses within Tasmania, provided by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. If you would like more information or think you might be eligible for a grant you can access the Business Point website or give them a call on 1800 440 026.
The Tasmanian Government also provides a ‘Relocation Kit’ which contains general information about Tasmania, local schools, removalists and housing. To have a kit sent to you phone or email Business Point on 1800 440 026, businesspoint@development.tas.gov.au.
Where can I be put in touch with a mentor?
Business Mentor Services Tasmania provides a free service for those running a small business or thinking of starting a small business. Business Mentor Services Tasmania is a non-profit public company that was established as an initiative of the Rotary Club of Hobart and the Tasmanian Government. Business Mentor Services Tasmania is staffed by volunteer mentors who are experienced in business across a range of industries.
You can get in contact with Business Mentor Services Tasmania online, by phone on (03) 6233 5448 or 1300 367 279 in Tasmania only, or email mail@mentorresources.org.au.
Where can I get advice on how to write a business plan?
A business plan is a critical component of any successful business and there are many sources of assistance to ensure you get it right.
Enterprise Centres provide free assistance to businesses with five or fewer employees on many matters including one-on-one assistance on how to write a business plan. Enterprise Centres service every region of the state, you can call Business Point for a referral on 1800 440 026 or you can find their contact details on the Business Point website.
You also have access to a range of business guides to assist you develop a business plan which can be accessed through the Business Point website or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
Business Plan templates will shortly be available on the Business Point website, in the mean time you can access the Victorian Government’s business website which contains a good practical example of how to write a business plan.
Where can I get advice on buying a business?
You can access free one-on-one business advice at your local Enterprise Centre including advice on buying a business. Enterprise Centres provide free assistance to businesses with five or fewer employees servicing every region of the state. You can call Business Point for a referral on 1800 440 026 or you can find their contact details on the Business Point website.
In addition, by accessing Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) which provides business licences, permits and codes of conduct you can obtain information on transferring a business name. This service can be accessed online or by calling 1800 440 026.
I am having trouble with my business. Who can I talk to?
You can access free one-on-one business advice at your local Enterprise Centre. Enterprise Centres provide free assistance to businesses with five or fewer employees servicing every region of the state. You can call Business Point for a referral on 1800 440 026 or you can find their contact details on the Business Point website.
In addition, Business Mentor Services Tasmania offers a free business advisory service for small business owners and business intenders. You can get in contact with Business Mentor Services Tasmania online, by phone on (03) 6233 5448 or 1300 367 279 in Tasmania only, or by email mail@mentorresources.org.au.
Can Business Point provide me with advice on legal and insurance matters?
Business Point provides general business advice and referrals. For specific advice on legal or insurance issues you will need to seek the professional assistance of a lawyer. To get in contact with a lawyer you can visit the Law Society of Tasmania website or give them a call on (03) 6234 4133.
What award wage should I be paying my employees?
For industry and employment information visit the Workplace Standards website or give them a call on (03) 6233 7657 or 1300 366 322, in Tasmania only.
