Starting a home-based business

When you're starting any business there are many issues to consider. We've covered the general ones in our starting a business guide, but people intending to use their home as a place of business often have to comply with particular state, territory and local government regulations. These regulations often address the impact your business activities may have on the surrounding area (e.g. pollution, energy use or parking). Some issues to consider are:

• council approval - zoning, signage, health issues
• home mortgage and rental agreement restrictions
• insurance - ensure you have the correct level to protect yourself
• financial management - arranging finance and setting up systems
• taxation - Capital Gains Tax, deductions for expenses
• location - zoning and redevelopment
• set up - separate your work space from the rest of your home.