How to Register a Business in Sydney, Australia (NSW) — 2026 Guide
The Quick Version
Starting a business in Sydney requires registration at the federal, state, and local council levels. At minimum, you need an Australian Business Number (ABN) from the Australian Business Register, and depending on your business type, you may need council registration, food licensing, planning permits, and more.
Contact City of Sydney Council at 02 9265 9333 for local requirements. More information: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/business-permits-approvals-tenders.
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What Makes Sydney Different
Sydney has several characteristics that affect the registration process:
- No general business licence — but food, outdoor dining, mobile vending, and skin penetration businesses need council registration
- Development Application (DA) required for change of use — $500+ and 4-12 weeks
- Liquor licence freeze in parts of CBD and Kings Cross
- Food premises must register with council AND notify NSW Food Authority
- Mobile food vending approval costs at least $400
- Dark kitchens can use existing commercial kitchen consent without new DA
The Registration Stack
Federal (ABN + Tax): Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) at abr.gov.au — free and usually instant for sole traders. Register for GST if turnover exceeds $75,000/year. If operating as a company, register with ASIC ($611 for Pty Ltd).
Business Name: If trading under a name different from your legal name, register with ASIC ($45/1yr or $104/3yr) through connectonline.asic.gov.au.
Local Council (Sydney): Council Registration + Development Approval from City of Sydney Council. Phone: 02 9265 9333.
How Long Does It Take?
Most businesses in Sydney can be fully registered and operational within 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the business type. Simple home-based or online businesses can often complete the process in under 2 weeks, while food businesses, hospitality venues, and businesses requiring Development Applications typically take 6 to 12 weeks.
The dependency chain matters — your ABN must come first, council registration often requires proof of entity and ABN, and some permits cannot be applied for until planning approval is granted. Getting the order wrong means delays and wasted time.
Don't Guess — Get Your Roadmap
Every business type has different requirements, and Sydney has its own quirks that generic guides miss. PermitBoard analyses your specific business type against Sydney's actual requirements and gives you a step-by-step plan with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form.