We know business is challenging. Its easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new venture, but take a moment to consider the obstacles you will need to negotiate in order to get your business open. Careful planning up front will help you avoid costly and expensive delays and frustrations.  

• Local Government – Contact your local council early is the ideation stage to check what regulations will impact your business, and what  permits or approvals may be required. These may include appropriate land zoning, development approvals (DAs), and food, transport, or accommodation business permits.  

• Landowners/Custodians – If you plan to run tours or operate on someone else’s land, check with the relevant land owners or custodians to ensure you can secure the appropriate permits and are aware of any cultural or environmental issues.  

• Suppliers – Natural disasters including fires and flood, and COVID, have impacted supply chains. Ensure you can secure the suppliers and supplies you need to launch your product within your anticipated timeframe. Extensive delays in accessing builders, tradespeople, and specialist equipment have impacted many projects in recent years.  

• Staff – If your business is reliant on you employing staff, check you can access them. Check what qualifications your staff may require, how much you will need to pay them, and how easy it is to fill key positions.  

• Insurance – You will need to secure at least a basic level of insurance, typically public liability and workers compensation. Talk to a broker about whether your planned business will be able to secure insurance and ask for an estimate. Some operators are finding their high-risk businesses are becoming increasingly difficult to insure.  

• Funding – Be clear about how much money you will be able to invest in the business. This may come from savings, loans, or investors. Knowing your capacity in advance will help you design the right product for your budget.