Starting a Business

Small Business

Taking an idea and turning it into a business can be exciting. However, you’ll need to make sure that you:

  1. Have a business plan
  2. Possess all of the required permits
  3. Register your business with all of the relevant authorities.

Contact our Economic Development Unit on 6850 2300 for further information.

Relevant links

Service NSW

Forbes Business Chamber

NSW Business Chamber

To help you take the necessary steps to starting your business, we have prepared some guidelines below:

Step 1: Business Research

Council recognises the importance of economic data to help business owners and investors make informed decisions. View Forbes Economic Profile here, which has been prepared by REMPLAN. 

Step 2: Select Business Type

Home Based Business

Hospitality Business

Hairdressing/Personal Services

Personal Training

Step 3: Planning and Building Approval

  • You will need to establish if you require planning approval before you can start your new business
  • Check that your proposed premises has current development approval for how you intend to use it
  • For example, does your tenancy have approval to operate as a restaurant or is it currently approved for use as a grocery shop? 
  • Determine the suitability of your proposed premises regarding zoning, parking requirements and other details relating to its intended use

If you wish to build new premises or change the use of existing premises, you must submit a development application.
Or if you wish to serve food outdoors or have an alfresco dining area.
For more information, please phone our Economic Department at Forbes Council on 02 6850 2300. 

Step 4: Health Approval

Starting up a food business brings with it food safety requirements and obligations. These depend on what the food is, where it is sold, and other factors.

Handling food for sale at a home address means there are special food safety issues to consider.

Preparing or storing food at home for later sale (including in-kind rewards) is considered a food business. Requirements to be met are the same as for other retail food businesses. 

Examples of home-based food businesses include:

  • preparing food for sale at markets or school canteens in a domestic kitchen
  • bed and breakfast accommodation
  • home-based child care for a fee involving provision of food
  • home-based catering businesses.

For retail based businesses the following needs consideration; zoning, DA applications and noise restrictions. Contact Council on 6850 2300 to speak with our Economic Development team.