Australian Consultancy Business Launch Checklist & Timelines

By Michelle Smith, Gravity Projex

Phase 1: Legal Foundation & Business Structure (Weeks 1-3)

Week 1

  • [ ] Research business structure options (Sole Trader vs Company vs Partnership) – 2 days
  • [ ] Choose business structure – 1 day
  • [ ] Apply for Australian Business Number (ABN) via ATO website – 1 day
  • [ ] Register for GST (if applicable – turnover >$75k expected) – 1 day

Week 2

  • [ ] Check business name availability via ASIC Connect – 1 day
  • [ ] Register business name (if not using personal name) – 1 day
  • [ ] Set up business bank account – 2 days
  • [ ] Research and obtain business insurance (Professional Indemnity, Public Liability) – 3 days

Week 3

  • [ ] Register domain name (.com.au preferred for Australian business) – 1 day
  • [ ] Set up business address (home office or commercial) – 2 days
  • [ ] Obtain any required licenses/permits (check state requirements) – 3 days
  • [ ] Register for WorkCover/Workers Comp (if hiring staff) – 1 day

Phase 2: Brand Development & Identity (Weeks 3-5)

Week 3-4

  • [ ] Develop brand positioning statement – 2 days
  • [ ] Create brand name and tagline – 2 days
  • [ ] Design logo concepts – 3 days
  • [ ] Finalize logo design – 2 days

Week 4-5

  • [ ] Develop color palette and typography – 2 days
  • [ ] Create brand guidelines document – 3 days
  • [ ] Design business card template – 1 day
  • [ ] Design letterhead and email signature – 1 day
  • [ ] Create social media profile images – 1 day

 

 

Phase 3: Digital Presence & Website (Weeks 5-8)

Week 5-6

  • [ ] Plan website structure and content – 2 days
  • [ ] Write website copy (About, Services, Case Studies, Contact) – 4 days
  • [ ] Gather/create website images – 2 days

Week 6-7

  • [ ] Design website wireframes – 2 days
  • [ ] Develop website (or hire developer) – 5 days
  • [ ] Set up website analytics (Google Analytics) – 1 day

Week 7-8

  • [ ] Test website functionality – 2 days
  • [ ] Optimize website for SEO – 2 days
  • [ ] Launch website – 1 day
  • [ ] Submit to Google Search Console – 1 day

    Phase 4: Professional Services Setup (Weeks 6-8)

    Week 6-7

    • [ ] Develop service packages and pricing – 3 days
    • [ ] Create client onboarding process – 2 days
    • [ ] Design client contracts/agreements – 2 days
    • [ ] Set up invoicing system (Xero, MYOB, or similar) – 1 day

    Week 7-8

    • [ ] Create project management system – 2 days
    • [ ] Develop client communication templates – 2 days
    • [ ] Set up file storage and backup systems – 1 day
    • [ ] Create consultation booking system – 1 day

     

     

    Phase 5: Marketing Materials & Content (Weeks 8-10)

    Week 8-9

    • [ ] Develop value proposition statements – 2 days
    • [ ] Create case studies (from previous experience) – 3 days
    • [ ] Write service descriptions – 2 days
    • [ ] Design marketing brochure/one-pager – 2 days

    Week 9-10

    • [ ] Create LinkedIn business profile – 1 day
    • [ ] Develop content calendar – 2 days
    • [ ] Write initial blog posts/articles – 3 days
    • [ ] Create email marketing templates – 2 days

    Phase 6: Digital Marketing Setup (Weeks 10-12)

    Week 10-11

    • [ ] Set up Google My Business profile – 1 day
    • [ ] Create social media business accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) – 1 day
    • [ ] Set up email marketing platform (Mailchimp, ConvertKit) – 1 day
    • [ ] Design social media templates – 2 days
    • [ ] Create Google Ads account (if planning paid advertising) – 1 day

    Week 11-12

    • [ ] Develop SEO strategy – 2 days
    • [ ] Set up social media scheduling tools – 1 day
    • [ ] Create lead magnets (free guides, templates) – 3 days
    • [ ] Set up CRM system (HubSpot, Pipedrive) – 2 days

     

     

    Phase 7: Industry Network & Partnerships (Weeks 11-13)

    Week 11-12

    • [ ] Research industry associations (AHA, Restaurant & Catering, Tourism Industry Council) – 2 days
    • [ ] Join relevant industry associations – 1 day
    • [ ] Identify potential referral partners – 2 days
    • [ ] Create partnership proposal templates – 2 days

    Week 12-13

    • [ ] Attend industry networking events – Ongoing
    • [ ] Connect with complementary service providers – 2 days
    • [ ] Reach out to former colleagues/contacts – 2 days
    • [ ] Set up meeting booking system – 1 day

      Phase 8: Financial & Administrative Systems (Weeks 12-14)

      Week 12-13

      • [ ] Set up accounting software – 1 day
      • [ ] Create financial tracking spreadsheets – 2 days
      • [ ] Establish business credit facilities (if needed) – 2 days
      • [ ] Set up payment processing (PayPal, Stripe, bank transfers) – 1 day

      Week 13-14

      • [ ] Create expense tracking system – 1 day
      • [ ] Set up automatic tax provisions – 1 day
      • [ ] Establish business credit card – 2 days
      • [ ] Create invoice templates – 1 day

       

       

      Phase 9: Launch Preparation (Weeks 14-15)

      Week 14

      • [ ] Finalize all marketing materials – 2 days
      • [ ] Test all systems and processes – 2 days
      • [ ] Create launch announcement content – 1 day
      • [ ] Prepare launch email campaign – 1 day

      Week 15

      • [ ] Schedule social media launch posts – 1 day
      • [ ] Notify network of business launch – 1 day
      • [ ] Submit business to relevant directories – 2 days
      • [ ] Set up Google Ads campaigns (if applicable) – 1 day

      Phase 10: Official Launch (Week 16)

      Launch Week

      • [ ] Send launch announcement emails – 1 day
      • [ ] Post launch content on social media – 1 day
      • [ ] Reach out to potential first clients – 2 days
      • [ ] Follow up on networking connections – 1 day
      • [ ] Monitor and respond to inquiries – Ongoing

       

      Post-Launch: First Month Operations

      Ongoing Tasks

      • [ ] Daily social media engagement – 30 minutes daily
      • [ ] Weekly content creation and posting – 3 hours weekly
      • [ ] Monthly networking events attendance – 4 hours monthly
      • [ ] Quarterly business review and strategy adjustment – 1 day quarterly
      • [ ] Monthly financial review and reporting – 2 hours monthly

      Key Dependencies & Notes

      Critical Path Items:

      • ABN registration must be completed before bank account setup
      • Business name registration required before website domain registration
      • Brand guidelines must be finalized before website development
      • Website must be live before digital marketing campaigns
      • Legal structure and insurance must be in place before client work begins

      Australian-Specific Considerations:

      • ABN application is free and typically processed within 24 hours
      • Business name registration costs $44 for 1 year or $102 for 3 years
      • Consider state-specific licensing requirements for consultancy services
      • GST registration is mandatory if turnover exceeds $75,000
      • Professional Indemnity Insurance is highly recommended for consultancy services

      Estimated Total Timeline: 16 weeks (4 months) from concept to launch
      Estimated Total Investment: $5,000-$15,000 AUD (excluding ongoing operational costs)

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