Start with the essentials

Do you have an ABN?

An Australian Business Number (ABN) is a unique, 11-digit number which identifies your business to the government and community.  You can apply for an ABN and other key business registrations through the Australian Business Register.

Have you completed crucial paperwork?

Tick off our Business Checklist

We know there's a lot to think about when starting a new business, so we've created a simple Business Checklist to get you on your way.

Build your banking tool kit

  • Get a business bank account

    Keeping your business and personal finances separate is important when you run a business. A Business Transaction Account from CommBank can help you to:

    • Integrate with your bookkeeping to make life easier
    • Get alerts when payments come in2
    • Enjoy a $0 monthly account fee option

    Open business account

  • Pay & get paid

    • Access your own business funds to pay suppliers or pay your bills with Business Visa Debit
    • Get our Neo Credit Card – no interest, no surprise charges, just a simple monthly fee3

    Accept payments straight to your account with PayID or use an EFTPOS terminal to take payments on site.

  • Get the tools of the trade

    Whether it’s a new ute or specialised equipment, we have a range of car and equipment finance options.4

    • $0 upfront deposit, no monthly fee
    • No surprises, hidden fees or charges

    Apply under your business name if you’ve been trading for 12 months and have an ABN.5

    Get a quote online

Get your business up & running

  • Make the most of support & grants

    • The Youth Jobs PaTH can help you gain relevant skills and experience to find and maintain work
    • To upskill in marketing, finance, sales and more, check out Skill Finder for over 2,000 free courses
    • The New Business Assistance scheme can help turn your business idea into a viable business
    • Try our Benefits finder tool to see if you're eligible to claim any grants or rebates
  • Help customers find & trust your business

    Most people are searching online when they're looking for a business. Help increase your chances of being found and attracting new customers by:

Stories from other tradies

Nathen Megic, Canberra ACT

Nathen Megic learned a lot of important business lessons from his career as a semi pro-footballer. Here's his story. 

Meet Nathen, of N2 Electrical Services

Damien Chiplin, Narrabri NSW

For plumber Damien Chiplin, the moment he started to think about settling down was also the moment he started thinking about launching his own business.

Damien's switch from apprentice to business owner

Sonny Kennedy, Coffs Harbour NSW

When Sonny Kennedy started his building apprenticeship, he was excited to learn all the tricks of his trade – but that didn’t include much focus on how to run a business.

Sonny's tips for getting started

Info to help you get started with your new business

Business tips & resources for tradies

Running a trade business can challenge you in unexpected ways. Here are some tips and contacts that could work for you.

Calculate your set up costs

When you’re setting up a trade business it’s important to know how much it will cost to get started.

Deals & offers for your business

30% off More nbn and phone plans

Save on your internet and phone plans with a deal exclusive to CommBank business customers. Save 30% off More nbn and phone plans with no lock in contract. Alternatively, with a 24 month contract you can also receive free business phone hardware with an average savings of $1,200.

50% off QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online is an accounting software and app that allows you to manage your business anywhere, anytime. Receive 50% off a QuickBooks subscription for 6 months to help you organise your books, manage expenses, send invoices, track inventory and even run payroll.

Things you should know

  • As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances.  You can view the Terms and Conditions for Business Transaction and Savings AccountsTerms and Conditions for Asset Finance, Merchant Agreement, our Financial Services Guide and the Electronic Banking Terms and Conditions and should consider them before making any decision about these products and services. Applications for credit cards and credits are subject to credit approval. Full terms and conditions will be included in our Letter of Offer. Bank fees and charges may apply. CommBank isn’t responsible for the quality, content, nature or reliability of any linked site. We’re providing these links as a convenience only and we’re not responsible for your use of any linked site.

    The target market for these products will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available here.

    The Bank does not charge for the alerts service, but you may incur message and data charges from your telecommunications service provider. Alerts are sent in real-time 24/7. Delivery of alerts may be delayed for various reasons, including service outages affecting your phone, wireless or internet provider; technology failures; and system capacity limitations. Please check your available funds before entering into any transactions. Alerts may be suspended by the Bank at any time without notice.

    Pay $12 for a $1,000 limit, $18 for a $2,000 limit or $22 for a $3,000 limit.  If you don't have any processed transactions in a given statement period and pay your previous statement closing balance in full by the due date, you won't be charged a monthly fee for that statement period. We may process transactions later than the day you originally made them. This is when your transaction is no longer a pending transaction and has been fully processed by us.

    These products are only available to approved business customers and for business purposes only. Customers seeking finance under the SME Recovery Loan Scheme need to meet eligibility criteria of the Government SME Recovery Loan Scheme Rules including, impacted by Coronavirus or other eligible criteria, be a small to medium sized business with an annual turnover of less than $250 million in the financial years 2019-20, 2020-21 and/or 2021-22 and have an ABN. Under the Scheme Rules businesses are able to borrow up to a maximum of $5 million across all lending products and finance providers. To qualify for the advertised rates the amount financed must be between $20,000 and $250,000 for equipment and vehicles fixed for 2 or 3 years. Other terms and rates available. Only available for Equipment Loan, Hire Purchase and Finance Lease. Refinancing of existing finance facilities, sale/hire backs allowed with Equipment Loan only. Applications for finance are subject to the Bank's eligibility and suitability criteria and normal credit approval processes. Must be funded by 30 June 2022. Rates are subject to change. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Full Government SME Recovery Loan Scheme Rules can be found at https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/sme-recovery-loan-scheme

    You can apply if your business has a current ABN, has been trading for more than 12 months, has a good credit rating and isn’t going through the process of bankruptcy.