1

[BUSINESS NAME]
BUSINESS PLAN
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Business Name]
[Main Business Address]
ABN: [ABN]
ACN: [ACN]
[Business Name]
Prepared: [Date prepared]
2
Business Plan Summary ................................................ 3
The Business ............................................................ 3
The Market ................................................................ 3
The Future ............................................................... 4
The Finances .............................................................. 4
The Business ................................................................. 5
Business details ........................................................ 5
Registration details ...................................................... 5
Business premises ..................................................... 6
Products/services ...................................................... 7
Innovation .................................................................. 8
Insurance ................................................................... 8
Risk management ....................................................... 9
Legal considerations .................................................. 9
Operations ................................................................ 10
Inventory ................................................................. 11
Sustainability plan ...................................................... 12
Organisation chart ...................................................... 13
Management & ownership ........................................... 14
Key personnel ............................................................ 14
The Market .................................................................... 16
Market research ........................................................ 16
Market targets ........................................................... 16
Environmental/industry analysis ................................... 16
Your customers ......................................................... 16
S.W.O.T. analysis ....................................................... 17
Your competitors ....................................................... 18
Advertising & sales ..................................................... 19
Sales & Distribution Channels ....................................... 20
The Future .................................................................... 21
Vision statement ........................................................ 21
Mission statement ...................................................... 21
Values ..................................................................... 21
Goals/objectives ........................................................ 21
Action plan ................................................................ 22
The Finances ................................................................ 23
Key objectives & fnancial review .................................. 23
Assumptions .............................................................. 23
Start-up costs for [YEAR] ............................................. 24
Balance sheet forecast ............................................... 25
Proft and loss forecast .............................................. 26
Expected cash fow .................................................... 27
Break-even analysis .................................................... 28
Supporting documentation ........................................... 30
Contents
3
Business Plan Summary
The Business
The Market
Business name: [Your business name as registered in your state/territory; or your
proposed business name if you havent yet registered a name]
Business structure: [Sole trader, partnership, trust, company]
ABN: [Registered Australian Business Number]
ACN: [Registered Australian company number, if applicable]
Business location: [Main business location]
Date established: [The date you started trading]
Business owner(s): [List all of the business owners]
Relevant owner experience: [Briefy outline your experience, your years in the in-
dustry and any major achievements or awards]
Products/services: [Briefy detail what products or services you will be selling, and
the expected demand]
Target market:
[Outline your target market and why they would purchase your product or service]
Marketing strategy:
[Outline how you plan to enter the market, attract customers and grow your business]
4
The Future
The Finances
Vision statement:
[Insert your vision statement]
Mission statement:
[Insert your mission statement]
Valus statement:
[Insert your mission statement]
Goals/objectives:
[Outline your short and long-term goals, and the activities you will undertake to meet them]
[Briefy outline your proft goals and your timeframe. Include information of how
much money you will need upfront, and how you will source this.]
Business Plan Summary
5
Business Details
Registration Details
Business summary: [Provide a summary or elevator pitch for your business, summarising
when and why you started your business, your industry and what you hope to achieve]
Business position: [Outline whether your business is starting, growing or mature,
expanding, consolidating, or preparing to sell; outline whether you have an exit strategy in
place]
Business name: [Your business name as registered in your state/territory; or your
proposed business name if you havent yet registered a name]
Trading name(s): [Registered trading name(s)]
Date registered: [Date business name registered]
Location(s) registered: [State(s) you are registered in]
Business structure: [Sole trader, partnership, trust, company]
ABN: [Registered Australian Business Number]
ACN: [Registered Australian Company Number, if applicable]
GST: [Outline if you are registered for Goods and Services Tax and the date]
Domain names: [Registered domain names]
Licences & permits: [List all the licences or permits you have registered]
Business Plan Summary
6
Business Premises
Goals and Objectives
Business location: [Briefy describe the location and space occupied or required, including
size, location, signifcance, relation to other businesses and landmarks]
Buy/lease: [If you have purchased a business premises or are currently leasing, briefy
outline the arrangements; if you are still looking for a lease, outline your commercial lease
requirements]
Short term goals (frst year) Actions Person responsible
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
Long term goals (1-3 years) Actions Person responsible
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
[Insert] [Completion date] [Who is responsible?]
Business Plan Summary
7
Products/Services
Market position: [Describe how your products or services ft in the market whether high-
end, mid-range or budget. Compare your offerings with your competitors]
Unique selling position: [Outline your USP and how your offering will succeed in the market
and what gives it the edge over your competition]
Anticipated demand: [Outline the likely demand and how regularly your customers are
likely to purchase your offering]
Pricing strategy: [Outline your strategy and your rationale]
Value to customer: [Detail how your customers will view your offering as a necessity, luxury
or something in between]
Growth potential: [Outline your anticipated growth potential and what will drive this growth]
Product/Service Description Price
[Product/service name] [Brief product/service description] [Price including GST]
[Product/service name] [Brief product/service description] [Price including GST]
[Product/service name] [Brief product/service description] [Price including GST]
[Product/service name] [Brief product/service description] [Price including GST]
Business Plan Summary
8
Innovation
Insurance
Research & development (R&D)/innovation activities
[Outline any R&D activities you will implement to encourage innovation in your business;
include details of the staff or resourcing required for this]
Intellectual property strategy
[Outline how you plan to protect your innovations, including any current trade marks, patents,
designs you have registered and ay confdentiality agreements in place]
Workers compensation: [Provide details this is mandatory if you have employees]
Public liability insurance: [Provide details - this covers any third party death or injury.]
Professional indemnity: [Provide details - this covers any legal action taken out as a
result of your professional advice]
Product liability: [Provide details - this covers any legal action taken out as a result of
injury, damage or death from your product]
Business assets: [Provide details this covers your business assets in the event of a fre,
burglary, or damage]
Business revenue: [Provide details this covers your business in the event of business
interruption where you cannot trade]
Business Plan Summary
9
Risk Management
Legal Considerations
[List the legislation which will have an impact on how you operate your business, including
consumer law, business law, or specifc legislation to your industry]
Risk Likelihood Impact Strategy
[Description of the risk and
the potential impact to your
business]
[Highly Unlikely,
Unlikely, Likely,
Highly Likely]
[High,
Medium,
Low]
[Outline the actions you will
take to minimise or mitigate
the potential risk to your
business]
[Description of the risk and
the potential impact to your
business]
[Highly Unlikely,
Unlikely, Likely,
Highly Likely]
[High,
Medium,
Low]
[Outline the actions you will
take to minimise or mitigate
the potential risk to your
business]
[Description of the risk and
the potential impact to your
business]
[Highly Unlikely,
Unlikely, Likely,
Highly Likely]
[High,
Medium,
Low]
[Outline the actions you will
take to minimise or mitigate
the potential risk to your
business]
[Description of the risk and
the potential impact to your
business]
[Highly Unlikely,
Unlikely, Likely,
Highly Likely]
[High,
Medium,
Low]
[Outline the actions you will
take to minimise or mitigate
the potential risk to your
business]
Business Overview
10
Operations
Production process
[Outline the process involved in producing your products or services, including who, what and
where]
Suppliers
[List your main suppliers and what they supply to your business; outline how you will maintain
good relationships with them]
Plant & equipment
[List your current plant and equipment purchases, including vehicles, computer equipment,
offce equipment]
Equipment Purchase date Purchase price Running cost
[e.g Personal Computer] [eg. 20/03/2010] [e.g $2100] [e.g $100 a month]
[e.g Personal Computer] [eg. 20/03/2010] [e.g $2100] [e.g $100 a month]
[e.g Personal Computer] [eg. 20/03/2010] [e.g $2100] [e.g $100 a month]
[e.g Personal Computer] [eg. 20/03/2010] [e.g $2100] [e.g $100 a month]
Business Overview
11
Inventory
[List your current inventory items if your list is long, consider including this as an appendix]
Technology (Software): [Outline your technology requirements, including website, point of
sale software or accounting package; detail the purpose of each, whether you willbuy off-the-
shelf or purpose built and the cost]
Trading hours: [Outline your trading hours, peak trading times, most proftable times and
months, and how your trading hours will accommodate seasonal variation]
Communication channels: [Outline how your customers can contact you, including phone,
mail, website, shop front and social media channels]
Payment types accepted: [Outline payment types you will accept, including cash, credit,
cheque, gift cards, Paypal etc]
Credit policy: [Outline your credit policy for both customers and suppliers, including the
credit period, collection strategies]
Warranties & refunds: [Outline the warranty terms on any products, including your busi-
ness refund and exchange policy]
Inventory item Unit price Quantity in stock Total cost
[e.g four] [e.g $5.00kg] [e.g Five kilograms] [e.g $25.00]
[e.g four] [e.g $5.00kg] [e.g Five kilograms] [e.g $25.00]
[e.g four] [e.g $5.00kg] [e.g Five kilograms] [e.g $25.00]
[e.g four] [e.g $5.00kg] [e.g Five kilograms] [e.g $25.00]
Business Overview
12
Quality control: [Outline your quality control process and how you will ensure your product
meets quality and safety standards]
Memberships & affliations: [Detail any affliations, such as industry association memberships
or clubs]
Environmental/resource impacts
[Describe the impact of your business on the environment, such as a particular manufacturing
process]
Community impact & engagement
[Outline the environmental impact your business may have on local community and how you
will engage the community to minimise this impact]
Risks/constraints
[List any risks/constraints to your business resulting from this environmental impact]
Strategies
[Outline your strategies to minimise/mitigate your environmental impact and any risks to
your business]
Action plan
Sustainability Plan
Sustainability milestone Target Target date
[Reduce water consumption] [60% reduction] [Month/Year]
[Reduce energy consumption] [60% reduction] [Month/Year]
[Reduce waste production] [60% reduction] [Month/Year]
Business Overview
13
[Outline your business structure in an organisation chart that outlines the key personnel that
you cant survive without; a sample is below]
Organisation Chart
People
Business Overview
14
Names of owners: [List all of the business owners]
Details of management & ownership: [Outline the management structure, including
partnership arrangements, roles, responsibilities and strengths]
Experience: [Outline years of experience in business, achievements, awards and any other
relevant experience]
Advisors: [Detail your key advisors, such as accountant, lawyer, business banker and fnancial
planner]
Current staff
[List your current staff in the table below]
Job Title Name Expected staf turnover Skills or strengths
[e.g. Marketing/
Sales Manager]
[How long do you
expect they will stay
with you?]
[Relevant qualifcations in this
position, experience and awards,
strengths]
[e.g. Marketing/
Sales Manager]
[How long do you
expect they will stay
with you?]
[Relevant qualifcations in this
position, experience and awards,
strengths]
[e.g. Marketing/
Sales Manager]
[How long do you
expect they will stay
with you?]
[Relevant qualifcations in this
position, experience and awards,
strengths]
Management & Ownership
Key Personnel
Business Overview
15
Required staff
[List your required staff in the table below.]
Recruitment options
[Outline how you will recruit staff]
Training programs
[Outline skills and training programs you will need your staff to attend; detail whether these
can be carried out inhouse or externally, and who will oversee the training]
Skill retention strategies
[Outline procedural documentation to ensure the skills of staff are maintained]
Functional area Job Title Skills necessary Tasks Action
[e.g. Financial
management]
[e.g.
Ofce
Manager]
[Relevant
qualifications, pre-
requisities, skills
and achievements]
[List tasks]
[Outline what you need
to do to gain these skills,
whether outsourcing,
employing or training]
[e.g. Financial
management]
[e.g.
Ofce
Manager]
[Relevant
qualifications, pre-
requisities, skills
and achievements]
[List tasks]
[Outline what you need
to do to gain these skills,
whether outsourcing,
employing or training]
[e.g. Financial
management]
[e.g.
Ofce
Manager]
[Relevant
qualifications, pre-
requisities, skills
and achievements]
[List tasks]
[Outline what you need
to do to gain these skills,
whether outsourcing,
employing or training]
[e.g. Financial
management]
[e.g.
Ofce
Manager]
[Relevant
qualifications, pre-
requisities, skills
and achievements]
[List tasks]
[Outline what you need
to do to gain these skills,
whether outsourcing,
employing or training]
Business Overview
16
Market Research
Market Targets
Environmental/Industry Analysis
Your Customers
[Detail any statistical research you completed to analyse your market, including
questionnaires or surveys]
[Outline your planned sales targets, including timeframes]
[Detail the results of the market research which would impact your business, such as
population growth, employment or economic opportunities and seasonal variations;
examine the size of your market, any emerging trends and how the market will change
when you enter]
Customer demographics
[Defne your target customers and how they behave, examining age, gender, social
status, education and attitudes]
The Market
17
Key customers
[Identify your key customers, whether businesses or individuals; outline how you will
target your offering to them]
Customer management
[Detail your strategy for maintaining good relationships with your customers, including
any customer service standards or surveys, codes of practice]
[List each strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats in the table below and then
outline how you plan to address each]
Strengths Weaknesses
[e.g high trafc location] [e.g high rental costs]
Opportunities Threats
[e.g build on customer and brand loyalty] [e.g cash fow problems]
S.W.O.T. Analysis
The Market
18
[Provide a short summary of how you compare to your competitors, and how your business
can improve on what they offer]
Competitor details
[List at least fve competitors in the table below]
Competitor
Established
date
Size
Market share
(%)
Value to
customers
Strengths Weaknesses
[Competi-
tor name]
[Date
estab-
lished]
[Number
of staff
and/or
turnover]
[Estimated
percentage
of market
share]
[Unique value
to customers,
such as
convenience,
quality, price
or service]
[Main st-
rengths]
[Main
weak-
nesses]
[Competi-
tor name]
[Date
estab-
lished]
[Number
of staff
and/or
turnover]
[Estimated
percentage
of market
share]
[Unique value
to customers,
such as
convenience,
quality, price
or service]
[Main st-
rengths]
[Main
weak-
nesses]
[Competi-
tor name]
[Date
estab-
lished]
[Number
of staff
and/or
turnover]
[Estimated
percentage
of market
share]
[Unique value
to customers,
such as
convenience,
quality, price
or service]
[Main st-
rengths]
[Main
weak-
nesses]
[Competi-
tor name]
[Date
estab-
lished]
[Number
of staff
and/or
turnover]
[Estimated
percentage
of market
share]
[Unique value
to customers,
such as
convenience,
quality, price
or service]
[Main st-
rengths]
[Main
weak-
nesses]
Your Competitors
The Market
19
Advertising & promotional strategy
[Outline your strategies for promoting and advertising your products/services in the next 12
months]
Sales & marketing objectives
[Outline your teams goals and targets, and the sales techniques and tools they will use to sell
your product or service]
Unique selling position
[Outline why your business has an advantage over your competitors]
Planned promotion /advertising type Expected business improvement Cost ($)
Target
date
[Print media advertising, online
advertising, mail-out, giveaway, media
release, social media campaign or event]
[Outline how you anticipate
this activity will improve your
business success]
[$]
[Month/
Year]
[Print media advertising, online
advertising, mail-out, giveaway, media
release, social media campaign or event]
[Outline how you anticipate
this activity will improve your
business success]
[$]
[Month/
Year]
[Print media advertising, online
advertising, mail-out, giveaway, media
release, social media campaign or event]
[Outline how you anticipate
this activity will improve your
business success]
[$]
[Month/
Year]
[Print media advertising, online
advertising, mail-out, giveaway, media
release, social media campaign or event]
[Outline how you anticipate
this activity will improve your
business success]
[$]
[Month/
Year]
Advertising & Sales
The Market
20
Channel type
Products/
Services
Percentage of
sales (%)
Advantages Disadvantages
[e.g. Shopfront,
internet, direct mail,
export or wholesale]
[List all the
products/
services
sold via this
channel]
[Percentage
of overall
sales via this
channel]
[Advantages
of using this
channel]
[Expected
challenges when
using this channel
and how you will
overcome them]
[e.g. Shopfront,
internet, direct mail,
export or wholesale]
[List all the
products/
services
sold via this
channel]
[Percentage
of overall
sales via this
channel]
[Advantages
of using this
channel]
[Expected
challenges when
using this channel
and how you will
overcome them]
[e.g. Shopfront,
internet, direct mail,
export or wholesale]
[List all the
products/
services
sold via this
channel]
[Percentage
of overall
sales via this
channel]
[Advantages
of using this
channel]
[Expected
challenges when
using this channel
and how you will
overcome them]
[e.g. Shopfront,
internet, direct mail,
export or wholesale]
[List all the
products/
services
sold via this
channel]
[Percentage
of overall
sales via this
channel]
[Advantages
of using this
channel]
[Expected
challenges when
using this channel
and how you will
overcome them]
Sales & Distribution Channels
The Market
21
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Values
Goals/Objectives
[Insert your vision statement that should outline your future plan for the business and
your overall goals]
[Insert your mission statement and how you will achieve your vision]
[List your company values]
[Outline your short and long term goals and the activities will you undertake to meet
them]
The Future
22
Action Plan
Milestone Date of expected completion Person responsible
[Insert business milestone] [Completion date] [ Who is responsible?]
[Insert business milestone] [Completion date] [ Who is responsible?]
[Insert business milestone] [Completion date] [ Who is responsible?]
[Insert business milestone] [Completion date] [ Who is responsible?]
The Future
23
Key Objectives &
Financial review
Assumptions
Financial objectives
[List your key fnancial objectives, whether in sales or proft targets, and your main
fnancial management goals such as cost reduction targets]
Finance required
[Outline how much money you need up-front and where you will obtain the funds
whether from loans, investors, business partners, friends or relatives, venture capital,
government funding or your own savings]
[List your fnancial assumptions in the tables on the following pages]
The Finances
24
[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own start up costing sheet
as an appendix]
START-UP COSTS Cost ($) EQUIPMENT/CAPITAL COSTS Cost ($)
Registrations Business purchase price
Business name Franchise fees
Licences Start-up capital
Permits Plant & equipment
Domain names Vehicles
Trade marks/designs/patents Computer equipment
Vehicle registration Computer software
More Phones
Membership fees Fax machine
Accountant fees More
Solicitor fees Security system
Rental lease cost (Rent advance/deposit) Offce equipment
Utility connections & bonds (Electricity, gas, water) Furniture
Phone connection Shop ftout
Internet connection More
Computer software
Training
Wages
Stock/raw materials
Insurance
Building & contents
Vehicle
Public liability
Professional indemnity
Product liability
Workers compensation
Business assets
Business revenue
Printing
Stationery & offce supplies
Marketing & advertising
More
Total start-up costs $0 Total equipment/capital costs $0
Start-up Costs For [YEAR]
The Finances
25
[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own proft & loss sheet as
an appendix]
BALANCE SHEET FORECAST [Year 1] [Year 2] [Year 3]
Current assets
Cash
Petty cash
Inventory
Pre-paid expenses
Fixed assets
Leasehold
Property & land
Renovations/improvements
Furniture & ftout
Vehicles
Equipment/tools
Computer equipment
More
Total assets $0 $0 $0
Current/short-term liabilities
Credit cards payable
Accounts payable
Interest payable
Accrued wages
Income tax
More
Long-term liabilities
Loans
More
Total liabilities $0 $0 $0
NET ASSETS $0 $0 $0
Balance Sheet Forecast
The Finances
26
[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own proft & loss sheet as
an appendix]
PROFIT & LOSS FORECAST [Year 1] [Year 2] [Year 3]
Sales
less cost of goods sold
More
Gross proft/net sales $0 $0 $0
Expenses
Accountant fees
Advertising & marketing
Bank fees & charges
Bank interest
Credit card fees
Utilities (electricity, gas, water)
Telephone
Lease/loan payments
Rent & rates
Motor vehicle expenses
Repairs & maintenance
Stationery & printing
Insurance
Superannuation
Income tax
Wages (including PAYG)
More

Total expenses $0 $0 $0
NET PROFIT $0 $0 $0
Proft and Loss Forecast
The Finances
27
[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own proft & loss sheet as
an appendix]
EXPECTED CASHFLOW [YEAR] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
OPENING BALANCE $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Cash incoming
Sales
Asset sales
Debtor receipts
Other income
Total incoming $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Cash outgoing
Purchases (Stock etc)
Accountant fees
Solicitor fees
Advertising & marketing
Bank fees & charges
Interest paid
Credit card fees
Utilities (electricity, gas, water)
Telephone
Lease/loan payments
Rent & rates
Motor vehicle expenses
Repairs & maintenance
Stationery & printing
Membership & affliation fees
Licensing
Insurance
Superannuation
Income tax
Wages (including PAYG)
More
Total outgoing $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Monthly cash balance $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
CLOSING BALANCE $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Expected Cash Flow
The Finances
28
[Double-click the table below to enter your details or attach your own table as an appendix]
Average cost of each product/service to make/deliver
Fixed costs for the month/year
Percentage of price that is proft
Total sales needed to break-even
Number of units sold needed to break-even
Break-even Analysis
The Finances
29
Attached is supporting documentation in relation to this business plan. The attached
documents include:
[List all of your attachments, including resumes, inventory list, surveys and ques-
tionnaires, and fnancial documents]
Supporting Documentation