Starting and running a business

Starting a business is an exciting step, and Hobsons Bay City Council is here to support you from idea to operation and beyond.

Whether you’re opening a café, launching a home-based business, or expanding an existing venture, this page will guide you through what you need to know — including registrations, permits, and local support.

Before you start

Before launching your business, it's important to plan and understand your obligations.

1. Research and Plan

Identify your target market and competition
Develop a business plan and budget
Choose your business structure (sole trader, partnership, company)
Consider your location - shopfront, home-based, or online

2. Register your business

You may need to:

Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN)
Register your business name
Set up appropriate tax registrations (e.g. GST, PAYG)

The following resources may assist you through this process:

Business.gov.au

Business.vic.gov.au
Australian Business Register

Permits, registrations and approvals

Depending on your business type and location, you may need permits or approvals from Council.

It’s important to check what permits and approvals may apply early in your planning process — ideally before signing a lease or committing to a site. This helps ensure your proposed business is permitted in that location and avoids unexpected delays or costs.

Common Council Requirements include:

Planning permits - for land use or development
Building permits - for construction or fit-outs
Health registrations - for food or health-related businesses
Local laws permits - for signage, footpath trading
Mobile vendor permits - for businesses selling goods or services from their vehicle

To find out more about what permits you may need start by visiting our permits page.

Support for your business

Hobsons Bay offers a range of support services to help your business succeed.

We can help with:

Navigating Council permits and approvals
Business workshops
Networking opportunities
Investment support and local market insights

If you are unsure where to start or what approvals you need, our team is here to help.

Additional resources to consider

Accessible business

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission website provides information for landlords, business owners, managers and shop staff to improve their accessibility and ensure customers can easily access premises, goods and services. The website includes a range of fact sheets and outlines the legal obligations of your business. For more information click here.

Accommodation and rooming house registration
If you provide accommodation on a fee paying basis to 4 or more people, or if you are buying an already established business, you are required to register with Council. For more information, please contact Council's Public Health unit at publichealth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or call 1300 179 944

Food and public health businesses
The Food Act 1984 defines a food business as any place where food intended for public consumption is sold, offered for sale, handled, prepared, packaged, stored, served, supplied, repackage, transported or dispensed. Such premises must either register with or notify the council in which the premises is located. For more information, click here or contact publichealth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

A personal care and body art business must be registered with the Council under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. Activities that require registration include hairdressing, beauty therapy, manicure/pedicure, waxing, electrolysis, ear piercing, body piercing, tattooing and colonic irrigation. For more information about starting or purchasing a personal care and body art business, please click here or contact Council's Public Health unit at publichealth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.