Keen to run a business from home? Here’s how to get things moving.
The number of people setting up a small home business has increased over the last few years. Everything from setting up a hairdressing salon, selling homemade hair scrunchies online, right through to freelance work. Aussies are a bunch of clever clogs – and we love that!
Many of these types of small businesses have been set up in response to the pandemic. This might mean things were done in a hurry, and without a thorough business plan. But you jumped in, gave it a go and now things have expanded rapidly.
Even if you don’t have a home business yet, you may have seen a few success stories on TikTok or Insta and decided you want a slice of that very tempting pie.
Here’s some tips to help get your home business moving – or if you’re already established, go back and get things sorted properly.
Get a Business At Home Insurance quote
Nail down that brilliant business idea
Do you have a great business idea, or are you really good at something and think you could make money? They say if you do something you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. So figure out what that is and then do some market research.
- Can you turn your skills into a real business and make money?
- What do you want to charge and how much will people be prepared to pay for your skills or products?
- Are there others doing the same thing? Is the marketplace crowded?
- Are there any start up costs?
If you can, find a business buddy you can run your ideas past. Someone who will be honest and upfront with feedback.
Write a business plan
It will take time to put together, but it’s worth it in the long run. A business plan sets out the operational and financial plan for your business. You can find lots of info and templates online to help make it easier, especially if you’ve never written up a small business plan before. Doing this will help clarify your ideas and assess whether the business is viable.
It doesn’t have to be long or fancy and you can always come back and update it as your business grows.
Think about your work/life balance
It’s a good idea to establish clear work/life boundaries right from the start. Consider things like:
- A dedicated working area, such as a spare bedroom or garage.
- Business contact. You might need a second mobile phone for work, a separate work email, and new social media accounts.
- Working hours. Is this full-time, part-time or working around another job? How will these hours impact your family?
Access support and resources
If you’ve never run a small business before, you might be surprised at the support and resources available. Check out business.gov.au and your local or state government business websites for ideas on how to connect with your local business community. You can find information on everything from financial resources to mental health and well-being support.
Consider any tax implications
When you set up a small home-based business, you’ll have specific tax obligations and it’s your responsibility to understand them or refer to professionals. Further details can be found on business.gov.au.
As with any new business, you must comply with tax obligations. You may need to register for:
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding
- Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).
Register your business
Some home-based businesses may still need to register for a business name, get an ABN and look into any other business licences and permits they may need. You’ll also need to be aware of any impact your business activities may have on your neighbourhood, especially if you live in a residential area.
What insurance cover does your home-based business need?
Choosing the right insurance for your home-based business is just as important as if you were operating from an office or warehouse. You don’t want to expose yourself or your business and risk being underinsured – or even worse, having no business insurance at all.
Depending on your business, you should consider the following cover and possibly others:
- Public liability, which is especially important if you have customers in your home or on your property.
- Home and Contents insurance, as not all policies provide cover if you’re running a business from home
- “Stock or contents”
- Product liability.
If you have an existing Home & Contents Insurance policy and you’re running a small business from home, check with your insurer to see how your home-based business will impact your cover. If you’re an AAMI customer, you can review your AAMI Home and Contents policy online or via the AAMI app.
You may also want to consider AAMI Business At Home Insurance, which combines your Home and Contents Insurance with your Business Insurance — creating one convenient policy. For more info, check out the policy documents, or get in touch on 13 22 44.
Now you’ve got all the basics covered, including the right insurance cover, you’re ready to create an empire! And when you’re a global superstar, don’t forget to follow us on your socials.
Read more:
- Do I need business insurance if I run my business from home?
- How much does public liability insurance cost?
- Running a business from home: What is and isn’t covered by insurance?
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as AAMI Business Insurance. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before you make any decision regarding this product. The Target Market Determination is also available.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries.