Starting your business

Starting, running and growing a business can be challenging.  Here are some tools that will help you on your journey.  

Starting your business checklist

Are you new to business? To help you get started, the Australian Government has developed a Starting your business checklist covering many of the basic issues you need to consider.

The checklist contains a series of questions to guide you through the various stages of your business, including before you start, when you start, when you buy and when you run your business.

Download the checklist at business.gov.au.

Service NSW for Business

Service NSW for Business is a free service offered across a range of industries that gives you personalised help and support when starting or expanding a small business.

All businesses who use the portal will be supported by a dedicated personal Business Concierge through the process.

For more information please visit Service NSW for Business, call 13 77 88 or request a business concierge contact you.

Business Connect

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program. It provides advice, events and resources to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

Businesses in Maitland can access resources and one on one advisory sessions with an experienced Business Advisor through The Business Centre, Newcastle.

Planning and development

When you start up your business in Maitland, you will have to investigate what kind of permissions you need. 

In the first instance, you will need to figure out whether your business needs a development application.  We encourage you to connect with our Duty Planners early in your planning. 

The following are considered exempt development (not requiring development consent from Council) if they comply with the requirements of State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) 2008 (SEPP) and Standard Instrument – Local Environmental Plan.

  • Home based child care
  • Home business
  • Home industry
  • Bed and Breakfast accommodation

If you are unsure if your development is exempt, please contact our Duty Planners.