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How to write a business plan in 12 steps (2024 edition)

Updated 18 April 2024 • 12 min read

This guide breaks down how to write a business plan, step-by-step, detailing what your document needs to include and what you need to think about to make your business plan as persuasive as possible.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that can provide immense value for new and existing companies of all sizes. It is an overview that includes an outline of your business, its key objectives and plan for achieving important goals.

This information can be used to communicate strategic actions to internal teams and also attract interest from potential partners and investors . However, writing a business plan can be a lengthy and involved process. For many, using a business plan template can be a good way to get started.

For best results, you’ll need to do a lot of thinking and planning before you start writing your business plan. This way you have all the information and resources you need at your fingertips and won’t be under time pressure to come up with something at the last minute. After all, a well-thought-out business plan can help you avoid generic information and set your company up for success.

Download your free business plan template .

Why write a business plan?

Writing your business plan helps to get your strategy nailed down and onto the page. A plan that stays in your head is probably going to be full of unrealistic assumptions and biases, whereas a strategically thought-out and organised approach forces you to notice your blind spots and find a way forward.

If you’re looking for financing, a bank or investor needs to be persuaded by your business proposal and the opportunity to work with you. Therefore, a well-written business plan can help provide potential financial partners with the confidence that your business can become profitable. Your business plan gives them a comprehensive view of all aspects of your business and details your strategy for achieving your goals.

What are the main sections of a business plan?

Whatever your line of work, your business plan will generally need to provide the following:

An executive summary

A business overview

The market opportunity

Your products/services

How to write a business plan

Make sure you cover each of the following steps when preparing your document:

1. Write an executive summary

This section of your business plan should be 1–2 pages in length and enables potential financiers or partners to get an overview of what your business does and – most importantly — what the opportunity is for them. If they’re interested in the opportunity, they’ll conduct their own due diligence - and this will start with going through your business plan and financials.

It’s a good idea to write your executive summary last, when you’ve clarified your thinking around every section of the document. As an overview section, you don’t want to add any new content that isn’t in your business plan. Aim to keep this summary succinct and engaging by using simple, plain language, as this is much more persuasive than complicated or academic wording.

Use sub-headings and bullet points to help your most important information stand out, especially as busy executives may simply scan your executive summary and use this to decide whether they want to find out more.

What to include in an executive summary?

Make sure you include details on:

What your business does

What the opportunity is

What your unique selling points / differentiators are

How much funding you’re looking for

What the funding will be used for

How you'll succeed

Remember, you’re providing the big picture overview of your business - the detail is in the rest of the document and in the appendices.

2. Write your business overview

This section of your business plan needs to be more than just a list of what your business does. Its purpose is to excite those you’re hoping will work with you or help to fund your business.

Information to address includes:

What's the purpose of your business?

What problem does your business’ product or service solve?

What niche could it fill?

What’s different about your offering?

How are you better than anyone else at what you do?

Consider what your customer value proposition is by deciding what you want to achieve and what your number 1 benefit is for your customer.

3. Identify your USP

Think about what your unique selling points (USP) or differentiators are, and what proof-points you can provide to back them up.

For example, you can use terms like “market-leading” but if you don’t provide any evidence to back up your claims, your reader will take them with a big pinch of salt!

You should certainly reference any awards or endorsements that position you as the best person to provide your product or service, as well as any client testimonials. Make sure you include any education or experience that makes you an expert in your field as well.

4. Describe the market opportunity

Show you understand your industry, market and where you fit in it. While no-one can predict the future, offer up where you think the opportunity is for your business and make sales projections based on that. 

For example, imagine your business is selling personalised cookies - there's little competition in your area and you see your market opportunity to create designs for all calendar and holiday events. You expect to increase sales by 30% in one year and 50% in three years, driven primarily by word-of-mouth referrals.

Make sure you also consider macro trends that may create opportunities for you, such as social, environmental, or technological changes that may affect buying behaviour.

5. Include a SWOT analysis

Whatever your business strengths or opportunities, they’ll always be known and unknown weaknesses and threats; there’s no such thing as certainty in business or in life!

However, you can demonstrate that you’ve examined your business through different lenses and have a thorough understanding of it by doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

Don’t worry about drawing attention to your business’ shortcomings - every opportunity has them and it’ll give investors and partners confidence in you that you won't bury your head in the sand. Naturally, it's important that you specify what you’re going to do to address these weaknesses and counter these threats.

Here are some areas you can think about to get started: reputation, technology, location, experience, staff, overheads, competition, suppliers and price.

6. Present a competitor analysis

Let’s face it, no matter what industry you’re in, or what you’re selling, there’s going to be other businesses offering the same thing. But instead of worrying about the competition, use this as a positive opportunity to up your game and work out the unique advantages you have that will keep you competitive.

Identify your top 3 competitors and analyse what they're doing well and where they’re coming up short. Try to be as objective as possible and identify how to differentiate yourself from them.

You should also look into who the industry leaders are and what the benchmarks are for your industry so that you can set yourself targets for continuous improvement.

7. Create a customer persona

A customer persona is a fictional person who represents your company's ideal customer. Naturally, the persona can be based on a real person - the more you get to know your ideal customer, the more targeted and successful your marketing efforts will be.

To create a customer persona, you need to conduct research into your ideal customer’s age, sex, income, employment, daily activities, interests and hobbies. If you’re feeling unsure about your customer persona, you may need to give your ideal customer further thought and download the customer persona template to get started.

8. Write your marketing strategy

When you’ve created your customer persona, you need to work out how you’re going to reach them. Do they hang out on social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or LinkedIn? Or are they more used to local, traditional marketing like free local papers or high foot traffic areas?

Once you’ve figured where your audience is likely to hang out, you can outline your strategies for promoting and advertising your products or services in the next 12 months.

Make a list of the marketing channels you’ll use to achieve your advertising strategy and be sure to include your budget. How much can you set aside for advertising? And where are you most likely to see a return on your efforts? Paid ads on Facebook? Half or full paid spreads in an industry magazine? Or even a direct mail out? 

For more structured help around this, check out free course: Business 101 | Get social with your business on Facebook . 

9. Design your customer retention strategy

Business success relies heavily on the relationship you’re able to build with your customers. What techniques will you use to keep them coming back? Consider the following:

What can your business do to increase the number of repeat customers? 

Does your business have a referral or loyalty program? 

Do you have a post-purchase follow up in place?

Will you use surveys to track customer satisfaction?

What ways can you continue delivering outstanding service?

Is there a way to continue educating and adding value to your customers?

10. Present your financials

Most people who are looking at investing their time and/or money in your business will want to see your financial statements - your performance to date and your projections over the short and medium term. They'll also want to know how much you’ve received in funding to date and what these other sources of funding are - including your own investment.

Current finances

You need to show how your business has performed financially over the last year, highlighting metrics such as positive cashflow , net profit and assets.

Financial forecasts

You should also provide a balance forecast projecting total assets, total liabilities and net assets over 1, 2 and 3 years, and a profit and loss forecast for the same periods detailing gross profit /net sales, total expenses and net profit/loss. Finally, you should also provide a cash flow forecast month by month over the next year.

It’s also a good idea to speak to an expert like an accountant or bookkeeper about your finances and get advice on how best to present them in this all-important section of your business plan.

11. Detail how much funding is needed

Naturally, you also need to be very clear about how much money you’re looking for and what you plan to do with it. If you’re looking for a loan , you need to detail what it’s for, over what period it’ll be repaid, and what collateral you have to secure it.

12. Propose an exit strategy

Any financial stakeholder in your business will want a return on investment. If you’re pursuing this type of funding, you should include some detail on your proposed exit strategy . For example, do you want to sell the company at some point or go public?

Similarly, you should outline your succession plan so the business can continue to operate if you decide to step away from it. Likewise, you need a plan for what happens if the business loses money and can’t sustain itself. Documenting this means that everyone is on the same page and potential investors have this information upfront.

Frequently asked questions about writing a business plan:

When to write a business plan.

Typically, entrepreneurs write their business plans within the first year of operations. A business plan is a tool that helps business owners refine their strategy, attract partners and financiers, and grow their business.

If a business plan is written too soon, it may lack the substance that comes with time in the market. However, it’s important to note that a business plan isn't a static document - it can and should change as the business evolves.

How long should your business plan be?

There are no hard and fast rules around how long your business plan should be - it just needs to include all the relevant information. Aim for clear, concise sections and build a business plan that is as easy to read and navigate as possible.

Using a business plan template can help you make sure you have everything covered off, while also having a document that looks as professional as possible. Make sure you run a spelling and grammar check too - any sloppy errors can undermine your credibility.

What’s a business plan on a page?

It’s important to write your business plan as it helps to embed your strategy - as well as communicate what you’re about to potential partners or investors. When you have a comprehensive business plan you can easily adapt it to suit different audiences. For example, a full business plan is essential for raising capital but a business plan on a page may be enough for potential partners or employees.

What do venture capitalists look for in a business plan?

Venture capitalists invest money into businesses with the goal of achieving a return on their investment within the short to medium term. As a result, they’re looking for an attractive market opportunity, a clear point of differentiation, a strong management team, a proven track record, solid financials and, importantly, an exit opportunity.

Where to go for help or more information?

There are many great resources out there to help you fine-tune your business strategy and write your business plan. The Australian Government has a comprehensive website dedicated to supporting businesses at all stages of their journey.

You can also get help from Business Enterprise Centres , business advisors, accountants and fellow business owners. MYOB also has a list of business advisors who can give you feedback on your business plan, so your venture has the very best chance of success. 

Related Guides

How to get a business loan arrow right, how to find investors: a guide for startups arrow right, business models: definitions, types and key components arrow right.

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Business plan template

Create a comprehensive business plan with this easy to use business plan template.

Businesses need a strong plan that outlines what you aim to achieve and gives you a roadmap to get there. Creating your own business plan doesn’t have to be difficult, simply set aside some time to work through the various elements.

What to consider when writing a business plan

The template walks you through each stage of a business plan. It will help ensure that nothing gets missed, including essential elements such as:

• your profile
• your marketing strategy
• your business structure.

When you’re  writing your business plan , it’s important to: 

• avoid  long words or sentences
• use clear and concise language and avoid jargon
• identify your audience and keep them in mind when writing
• show why you care and let your passion for the business shine through
• highlight your unique value proposition
• include a realistic detailed financial plan
• think carefully through every step of your business start-up
• pinpoint weaknesses, identify your strengths and spot opportunities.

Why you should use a business plan template

A business plan template is an essential tool to help you  create a clear, concise and comprehensive business plan. It can help you:

• secure funding and  attract investors
• set goals and prioritise
• better control  your business
• helps you seek finance.

Writing a plan can be enjoyable. It will help you highlight the ideas and activities at the core of your business, and force you to get your priorities in order too. It could also show you what success will look like, so you can begin measuring it. Each section of the template comes with brief instructions, so that you get the structure right.

When you’re finished, one of our small business bankers will be happy to go over the plan and provide advice and guidance. You can request a call back online to discuss this further.

Download our  business plan template (DOC, 158KB) , opens in new window  and read our detailed article on writing your business plan to get started.

Use our business plan template to guide you through writing your business plan.

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Free business plan template for small businesses

Create your free professional business plan with our easy-to-use business plan template.

Create a professional business plan in minutes

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Our Australian business plan template can save you time & money.

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Ready to customise with all requirements like your business details, organisational structure, competitor analaysis and goals.

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Simply add the requested data and our template will create a business plan for you.

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Our business plan template is an editable document containing your businesses goals and objectives for the future. It also provides all the key sections you need for a professional business plan including overview of business description, market research, competitive analysis, financial forecasts and much more.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the importance of a business plan.

Writing a business plan gives your business the best chance of success helping you to flesh out your business proposal, outline key business processes and gives an action plan of what you want to achieve over time. While it can seem overwhelming, the time and effort you put in is worth it for your long-term success. Use our free business plan template below to get you started!

What should a business plan include?

A business plan consists of a single document with different sections that represent different aspects of your business. Most business plans include the following:

• Business overview
• Executive summary
• Team & Management
• Product & Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitor Analysis
• Marketing & Promotions
• Financial Analysis
• Future & Goals

How do you write a business plan?

Writing a multi page business plan when you are just starting out can seem overwhelming. The key to getting started is to keep it simple and add to it as you grow. Start with key headings (or use our template) and some bullet points mapping out your business overview, vision, market analysis and financial forecasts.

Tips for writing a business plan?

Check out our page about the  7 Tips for writing a Business Plan >

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Download the business plan template

Fill in the form to get a free business plan template as an editable PDF. We’ll send a one-pager and a multi-pager to choose from.

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Getting started with the business plan template

We’ll send you two types of business plan template – a one-pager and a multi-pager. Choose the one that’s right for you. They come with instructions to help fill them out.

Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from ‘I should’ to ‘I did’.

One-page business plan template

Great for making a start

Helps you pin down the main idea

Easy to update as things evolve

Multi-page business plan template

Ideal for nailing down the details

Required by most investors and lenders

Good if you face big startup costs

Tips to help with your business plan

Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.

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Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.

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How to write a business plan

6-minute read

You've got a great idea and you're keen to get started. But for the best chance of success it's important to put together a detailed business plan that describes and establishes key aspects of your new enterprise.

What we'll cover

• Why you should write a business plan  
• The key elements of a strong business plan
• Where to get a business plan template
• How to take payments in your business.  

Key take-outs

• A good business plan helps you prioritise efforts, control outcomes, and establish business credibility
• Include details about your products or services, market, business structure, ownership, marketing, operations and finance
• Use your business plan to list and monitor ongoing action items as your business develops
• Review and refine your business plan regularly.

Why do I need a business plan?

Every business owner knows that part of the challenge is juggling all the elements and demands that have to be considered, as well as regulatory requirements. You have to become an instant expert on areas that may be outside your expertise, such as commercial property, business insurance, advertising, marketing and employment law, plus much more.  

A good business plan helps you separate out each aspect of your business, so you can focus on one factor at a time, rather than all at once. Other reasons to engage in this type of planning process are:  

• Helps you prioritise your efforts Stepping back from the granular details of starting and running a new business gives you time to reflect on the big picture, considering the things that will really matter to your future customers. That in turn will inform the priorities you need to focus on.  
• Gives you more control of outcomes The discipline of working through a plan – and constantly refining it over time – will encourage you to think about the factors that’ll most influence your likelihood of success. What’s working? And what isn’t?
• Supports you if you’re seeking finance Banks and other lenders – or potential investors – will expect to see a solid business plan to reassure them that your new enterprise is well run.

What needs to go into a business plan?

Every business is different, so there’s no definitive business plan structure – but here are some key elements you should consider for inclusion. It’s important to think of your plan as a living, breathing document that evolves over time as you build your business and gain knowledge, insights and experience along the way.

1. Executive Summary

Leave drafting this brief overview until last. It should summarise and define all other elements of the business plan, and cover:

• Your business vision and mission statement
• Differentiation from similar businesses
• Target market
• Company description and operating model
• Business ownership and management
• Expansion plans
• Short-term and long-term goals.  

2. Business and market analysis

Here’s where you talk about what type of business you’re starting and how it’ll fit into the local and broader market. Include things such as:  

• Style of business and the products and services you plan to offer
• Any competitive advantage you have
• Market research and competitor analysis
• Industry trends
• SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of your business idea.  

3. Marketing strategy

However great your business idea is, you can’t just start trading and hope for the best. In this section of your business plan give some thought to:  

• Marketing budgets – launch and ongoing
• Marketing objectives – what you hope to achieve in the short and long term
• Target markets – there may be different sectors you can target
• Brand position – the name and personality of your business
• Value proposition – such as competitively priced or prestige
• Digital optimisation – website and social media marketing
• Key marketing mediums – from leaflet drops to broadcast.  

4. Business structure and legal

You’ll need to choose a business structure (e.g., sole trader, partnership, company), which will generally reflect ownership and your desired level of liability. Other aspects to refer to in your business plan include:  

• Any licences you’ll need in order to operate
• Your responsibilities as an employer.  

5. Operating plan

Here you can detail how you plan to operate on a day-to-day basis, covering areas such as:  

• Sales channels (how and where you’ll be operating)
• Suppliers (how and where you’ll source any supplies or products you need)
• Vehicles and equipment (buy or lease)
• How you’ll take payments (see a section on this later)
• Management team (day-to-day)
• Roles and staffing levels (full-time versus part-time and casual)
• Contingency plans (for downturn periods, staff issues, weather, etc.).  

6. Financial plan

If you need a business loan to support your business, lenders will want to see your business plan, including details of:

• Start-up costs
• Operating expenses including labour costs
• Profit and loss forecast
• Cash flow statement and forecast
• Financial projections and ratios
• Results and balance sheets (once you’re trading).  

7. Action plan

This will likely be the most dynamic section of your business plan. It’s where you review and update business goals and note lessons learned and actions required in response to trading activity and market fluctuations.  

List the actions you plan to take before you review your business plan next; and note down any ongoing actions that have yet to be completed.

Where can I get a business plan template?

A search online will reveal numerous downloadable business plan templates. Accounting software services such as MYOB and Xero publish templates online too.

To save you looking further, the Australian Government’s Business website has a free business plan template you can download in Microsoft Word format. Or you could simply create your own template using the headings listed in this article.

How should I take payments in my new business?

The methods you’ll use to take payments should be detailed in your operating plan. Will you be getting paid remotely, face to face, or online? Or any combination of those? One of the keys to getting paid fast is to make it as simple as possible for customers to pay you. So, it’s a good idea to choose options that help them pay you the way they want to.

• Getting paid on invoice: I f your customers will be making bank-to-bank payments, you can just give them the BSB and account number of your bank account. However, if you’d rather not share your bank account details, you can ask customers to pay into your account using PayID ®, meaning you’ll only need to provide the unique number you’ve registered for the service – which could be your mobile number or ABN.
• Face-to-face payments: Depending on the nature of your business, you may want to take credit card and digital wallet payments with an  EFTPOS machine ; in which case you’ll need to decide if you want an  EFTPOS terminal that integrates with your point of sale (POS) system . Or for ultimate flexibility and portability, you can download and apply for the  EFTPOS Air  app to your compatible smartphone, which once finalised would allow you to take secure payments using your mobile alone. EFTPOS Air also features point of sale capabilities, so you can build menus of products or services on it.
• Online payments: If you’re building an eCommerce website using an off-the-shelf platform, it may already incorporate a payment gateway. But if you’re looking for your own way of accepting card payments online or by phone, you may wish to consider one of the eCommerce solutions provided by Westpac.  

The prospect of launching a new business is exciting and you’ll be keen to get started as soon as possible. It pays to invest time in detailing the mechanics of your business. A comprehensive business plan will set you off on a solid path to a successful enterprise, well prepared for the challenges ahead.

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Things you should know

The information in this article is general in nature; does not take your objectives, financial situation or needs into account; and does not constitute financial or taxation advice. Consider its appropriateness to these factors; and we recommend you seek independent professional advice about your specific circumstances before making any decisions.

PayID is a registered trademark of NPP Australia Limited.

Sample Plans

Business plan example australia.

Whether you are growing your existing business or starting afresh, a business plan is a critical business tool. At Business Plans, we have produced thousands of business plans for businesses across Australia from diverse industries.

On this page, you will find business plan templates for hundreds of different businesses in Australia. We have sensitised these business plan samples and made them more generic to suit a wide range of businesses.

Simply pick your category, purchase the business plan template and customise the content to reflect your business. Why spend time writing a business plan when you can download a business plan template and customise it suitably

Business Plan Templates that Deliver Results

A good business plan can help you figure out a direction for your business, create strategies to reach your goals and improve your chances of securing finance.

But we also understand that  writing a business plan  can take a lot of time. If the very thought of writing an exhaustive business plan seems to overwhelm you, consider buying one of our business plan templates.

All of these business plan examples have been produced by our professional business plan writers who have many years of experience in the craft. We have used our extensive experience, in-depth knowledge and expertise to create compelling business plans that have achieved staggering results for our clients.

Now take advantage of our skills by using some of our proven business plans for your business.

You don’t have to spend endless hours writing out your business plan from scratch. Nor do you have to pay for a custom written business plan to a professional writer. Simply download one of our previous works that have been sensitised into a generic template and get going!

Why Use a Business Plan Template?

A good business plan template can help organise your thoughts. It can provide a guideline so you don’t find yourself stuck staring at a blank page figuring out where to begin.

What’s more, a business plan sample provides a general layout of a standard business plan so you understand what goes where whilst ensuring you don’t leave anything out.

A good template also makes the job of writing a business plan easy and effortless.

Need More Information?

Can’t find a template for your business? Perhaps you have a question about our business plan samples. Feel free to contact our friendly team for assistance. Fill in our contact form  or call  1300 630 330 .

White Goods Business Plan

Get your business plan done today!

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete.

The White Goods Retailer business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian White Goods Retailer applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of retail businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money!  Visit Page And Purchase

Wine Bar Business Plan (suitable for Bar Business Plan)

The Wine Bar business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Wine Barapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Wedding Planner Business Plan

The Wedding Planner business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

However, if we take them at their simplest form an Investor invests the funds required in return for an equity stake in the business. They then sit back and wait for a return on their investment. Generally speaking with new start businesses or new technologies, the motivation for investment is not an annual return in the form of a dividend as they can go for a safer listed entity for this. They generally want to see their investment increase ten-fold or more over the medium-term through the business taking off.

A Business Angel will get involved in the business and will bring to the table business and/or industry experience and contacts. They will take a mentoring role to ensure the business has every chance of success. They may commit funds but will see their main investment in the business as ‘sweat equity’ working in the business in return for an equity stake in the business.

For more information on Investors and Business Angels please read our article, Investor or a Business Angel?

Vineyard Business Plan

The Vineyard business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian businessapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Security Services Business Plan

The Security Services business plan is a 17 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Security business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of business. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Please call us if you would like any assistance in this matter.

Tiler (trade )Business Plan

The Tiler’s business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Tiling Business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of trades. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Seafood Distributor Business Plan

The Seafood Distributor business plan is a 19 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Seafood Distributor applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

The goal when preparing a business plan for investors is to provide sufficient information for them to know whether they are interested in the concept and want to know more, or they understand the concept and are not interested.

We try to limit business plans for investors to between 20 -30pages. It is important to cover off what makes your business so special, how you will commercialise and monetise your concept, who is involved in the project, the risks involved, and how the money will be spent.

For more information visit Investor Tips and Advice  Visit Page For how we can assist visit  exec-b-plan-investorsproposals-2400

Rooftiler Business Plan

The Roof Tiler’s business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Trade business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of trades. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Thai Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Thai Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Thai Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Vietnamese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Vietnamese Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Vietnamese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Steak House Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Steak House Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Steak House Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Spanish Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Spanish Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Spanish Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Russian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Russian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Russian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Seafood Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Seafood Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Seafood Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Pizza and Pasta Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Pizza and Pasta Restaurant business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Pizza and Pasta Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Mongolian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Mongolian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Mongolian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Malaysian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Malaysian Restaurant business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Indian Malaysian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Mexican Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Mexican Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Mexican Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Indonesian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Indonesian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Indonesian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Indian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Indian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Hamburger Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Hamburger Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Hamburger Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Hamburger Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Greek Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Greek Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Greek Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

French Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The French Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian French Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Chinese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Chinese Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Chinese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Restaurant business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Recruitment Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Recruitment business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Recruitment business applying for bank finance.

Real Estate Business Plan

Get your business plan done today! Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The car wash business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Real Estate business applying for bank finance.

Property Development Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Property Development business plan is a 12 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Property Development business applying for bank finance.

Psychologist Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Psychologist’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Psychologist’s business applying for bank finance.

Post Office Business

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Post Office business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Post Office applying for bank finance.

Plumbers Business Plans

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Plumber’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Plumbing business applying for bank finance.

Personal Trainer Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances.

Visit Page And Purchase

Photographers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Photography business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Photography business applying for bank finance.

Painters (Trade) Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Painter’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian painting business applying for bank finance.

Online Store Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Online Store business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Online Store business applying for bank finance.

Business Consultant Business Plan

Builders business plan.

The Builder’s business plan is a 22 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian builder applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Beauty Salon & Hairdresser Business Plan

The Beauty Salon and Hairdresser business plan is a 14 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of beauty realated businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Bakery Business Plan

The bakerybusiness plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian bakery applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of bakeries. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Asian Grocery Business Plan

The Asian Grocery business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian based Asian Grocery business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of grocery businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Also suitable for:

Retail space rental applications Equipment lease applications Most other third-party requests Payment processed securely through PAYPAL. You do not need a PAYPAL account to purchase. Alternatively phone our office to organise other payment methods.

Money Back Guarantee – Should you be dissatisfied for any reason, telephone our Help Desk within 24 hours of purchase and quote your email address to orgasnise a full 100% refund.

Accountant’s Business Plan

The accountant business plan is a 16 page business plan which is written for an Australian Accounting practiceapplying for bank finance. It is written in with standard services and generic operating elements to make it suit a wider range of practices. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Catering Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The catering business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian catering business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Carpenter / Cabinet Maker / Joinery Services Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances

Car Wash Business Plan

The car wash business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian car wash businessapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Car Hire Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The car hire business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian car hire business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money  Visit Page And Purchase

Camping Store Business Plan

Cake shop business plan, cafe business plan.

The cafe business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian cafe applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of cafes. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Nursery (Plants) Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Nursery business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Nursery business applying for bank finance.

Night Club Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Night Club business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Night Club business applying for bank finance.

Newsagency Business Plan

Do you need help to develop an effective  newsagency business plan?

We understand that a business plan is an essential document and that can enable you to win investors. If you are looking for ideas for a well-structured and convincing  newsagency business plan,  we can help you. At BusinessPlans, we offer specialist business planning services and can help you document your ideas in a clear and professional way. With our  business plan solutions , you can build a strong foundation for your business. Our  newsagency business plan  is crafted to comprehensively outline every aspect of your business and reflect its potential.

Make the right start for your business with our business plan solutions. Get your business plan done today!

You can now avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Newsagency’s business plan is a 15-page business plan written for an actual Australian Newsagency business applying for bank finance.

If you are looking for a  capability statement template , we have the perfect solution for you.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money! Avail our business planning services today to get solutions that are second to none.  Visit Page And Purchase

My Franchise BusinessPlan

You are looking to purchase a franchise and the franchisor has asked for a business plan. We have written many business plans for all the major Australian franchises.

How we can help you

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Service Options:

The 48 Hour Plan ($495+gst)

The 48 Hour Plan is the perfect solution for those seeking a franchise business plan. Best of all we only need 1 hour of your time and we do all the work. We will include what the franchisor is looking for and also offer the option to have us do the financial projections all banks want to see. $495+gst …more

DIY Options

Template Help (by a real Consultant in Australia) ($275+gst)

You have a business plans template or want to use one. You would like a professional to help you understand the template and personalise it for your own need. A Consultant will help customers by explaining each part of the template in detail, answer questions, help personalise it and remain available for 7 days (BHs)..…more

The Trilogy Workbook and Template ($25+gst)

The Trilogy Workbook and Template lets you write your own franchise business plan. It is a 50 page workbook and we also give you a template to type straight into. It includes helpful tips and hints along the way

Franchise Business Plans ($22)

Actual business plans for major Australian franchises

Men’s Fashion Retail Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Men’s Fashion Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Men’s Retail Fashion business applying for bank finance.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money!

Massage Services Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Massage Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Massage business applying for bank finance.

Lawyers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Lawyer business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an Australian Legal services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Landscaper Designers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Landscape Designers business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Landscaping business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Ladies Fashion Retail Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Ladies Fashion Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Fashion Retailer business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Jewelry Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The jewelry business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Jewelry business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The ice cream shop business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Ice Cream Shop business applying for bank finance.

Hotel Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The jewelry business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Hotel business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Gym Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Gym business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Gymapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Giftwear Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Giftwear Shop business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Giftwear business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

General Store Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The General Store business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian General Store applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Gardners Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Gardener’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Gardening business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Furniture Manufacturing Business Plans

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Furniture Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Furniture Retailing business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The White Goods business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian White Goods business applying for bank finance.

Wendy’s Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Wendy’s business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Wendy’s business applying for bank finance.

Top Snap Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Top Snap business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Top Snap business applying for bank finance.

Subway Business Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Subway business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian Subway business applying for bank finance.

Salsa Fresh Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Salsa Fresh business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian Salsa Fresh business applying for bank finance.

Refund Home Loans Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Refund Home Loans business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Refund Home Loans business applying for bank finance.

Nandos Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Nandos business plan is a 19 page business plan written for an actual Indian Nandos Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

If you are looking for a  florist business plan , we have the perfect solution for you.

Muffin Break Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Muffin Break business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Muffin Break business applying for bank finance.

Matchbox Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Matchbox business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Matchbox business applying for bank finance.

Japanese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Japanese Restaurant business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Indian Japanese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Italian Restaurant Business Plan

Gloria jeans business plan, foodworks business plan, donut king business plan.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Donut King business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Donut King business applying for bank finance.

Coffee Club Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Coffee Club business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Coffee Club business applying for bank finance.

Franchise Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The franchise business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian franchise business applying for bank finance.

Florist Business Plan

Are you planning to start a florist business and looking for ideas to develop a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that defines a business and enables you to structure it efficiently. It is a critical document and may be required in the process of availing a loan and setting short and long-term goals. Developing a business plan is a vital step as a well-constructed plan can help you to drive your business towards success.

BusinessPlans offers specialist business planning service that is second to none. If you are looking for a  florist business plan,  avail the service of our experts to develop a  professional business plan . With our experience, we possess the expertise to create bespoke  florist business plans  that can immensely help your business to grow.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Florist business plan is a 16-page document written for an actual Australian Florist business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

With our efficient business planning service, we intend to simplify it for you. Our business plan is designed to be powerful and can help your business stand out from its competitors.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirement and craft an effective  florist business plan.  We just don’t present what you tell us, if we think the matter can be improved we let you know and discuss it with you.

Engineering Services Business Plan

The Engineering Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Engineering Services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Electricians Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Electricians business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Electrician business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Electrical Installation & Cabling Services Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Electrical Installations & Cabling Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Electrical & Cabling business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Dog Training School Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Dog Training School business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Dog Training School business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Day Tours Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Day Tours business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Day Tours business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Counselling Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Counselling business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Counselling business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Computer Repairs Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Computer Repairs business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Computer Repair business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Commercial Building Safety Services Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances. Visit Page And Purchase

Clothing (wholesale) Business Plan

The Wholesale Clothing business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Clothing Wholesale business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Cleaning Services business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Cleaning Services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

This business plan suits both residential and commercial cleaning services.  Visit Page And Purchase

Childrens Clothing Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Childrens Clothing Shop business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Childrens Clothing business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Children’s Play Centre Business Plan

Child care centre business plan.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The child care centre business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Child Care Centre business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Charity Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The charity business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian charity business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Simple Business Plan

By Joe Weller | October 11, 2021

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A business plan is the cornerstone of any successful company, regardless of size or industry. This step-by-step guide provides information on writing a business plan for organizations at any stage, complete with free templates and expert advice. 

Included on this page, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan and a chart to identify which type of business plan you should write . Plus, find information on how a business plan can help grow a business and expert tips on writing one .

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that communicates a company’s goals and ambitions, along with the timeline, finances, and methods needed to achieve them. Additionally, it may include a mission statement and details about the specific products or services offered.

A business plan can highlight varying time periods, depending on the stage of your company and its goals. That said, a typical business plan will include the following benchmarks:

• Product goals and deadlines for each month
• Monthly financials for the first two years
• Profit and loss statements for the first three to five years
• Balance sheet projections for the first three to five years

Startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses all create business plans to use as a guide as their new company progresses. Larger organizations may also create (and update) a business plan to keep high-level goals, financials, and timelines in check.

While you certainly need to have a formalized outline of your business’s goals and finances, creating a business plan can also help you determine a company’s viability, its profitability (including when it will first turn a profit), and how much money you will need from investors. In turn, a business plan has functional value as well: Not only does outlining goals help keep you accountable on a timeline, it can also attract investors in and of itself and, therefore, act as an effective strategy for growth.

For more information, visit our comprehensive guide to writing a strategic plan or download free strategic plan templates . This page focuses on for-profit business plans, but you can read our article with nonprofit business plan templates .

Business Plan Steps

The specific information in your business plan will vary, depending on the needs and goals of your venture, but a typical plan includes the following ordered elements:

• Executive summary
• Description of business
• Market analysis
• Competitive analysis
• Description of organizational management
• Description of product or services
• Marketing plan
• Sales strategy
• Funding details (or request for funding)
• Financial projections

If your plan is particularly long or complicated, consider adding a table of contents or an appendix for reference. For an in-depth description of each step listed above, read “ How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step ” below.

Broadly speaking, your audience includes anyone with a vested interest in your organization. They can include potential and existing investors, as well as customers, internal team members, suppliers, and vendors.

Do I Need a Simple or Detailed Plan?

Your business’s stage and intended audience dictates the level of detail your plan needs. Corporations require a thorough business plan — up to 100 pages. Small businesses or startups should have a concise plan focusing on financials and strategy.

How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Business

In order to identify which type of business plan you need to create, ask: “What do we want the plan to do?” Identify function first, and form will follow.

Use the chart below as a guide for what type of business plan to create:

Is the Order of Your Business Plan Important?

There is no set order for a business plan, with the exception of the executive summary, which should always come first. Beyond that, simply ensure that you organize the plan in a way that makes sense and flows naturally.

The Difference Between Traditional and Lean Business Plans

A traditional business plan follows the standard structure — because these plans encourage detail, they tend to require more work upfront and can run dozens of pages. A Lean business plan is less common and focuses on summarizing critical points for each section. These plans take much less work and typically run one page in length.

In general, you should use a traditional model for a legacy company, a large company, or any business that does not adhere to Lean (or another Agile method ). Use Lean if you expect the company to pivot quickly or if you already employ a Lean strategy with other business operations. Additionally, a Lean business plan can suffice if the document is for internal use only. Stick to a traditional version for investors, as they may be more sensitive to sudden changes or a high degree of built-in flexibility in the plan.

How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step

Writing a strong business plan requires research and attention to detail for each section. Below, you’ll find a 10-step guide to researching and defining each element in the plan.

Step 1: Executive Summary

The executive summary will always be the first section of your business plan. The goal is to answer the following questions:

• What is the vision and mission of the company?
• What are the company’s short- and long-term goals?

See our  roundup of executive summary examples and templates for samples. Read our executive summary guide to learn more about writing one.

Step 2: Description of Business

The goal of this section is to define the realm, scope, and intent of your venture. To do so, answer the following questions as clearly and concisely as possible:

• What business are we in?
• What does our business do?

Step 3: Market Analysis

In this section, provide evidence that you have surveyed and understand the current marketplace, and that your product or service satisfies a niche in the market. To do so, answer these questions:

• Who is our customer? 
• What does that customer value?

Step 4: Competitive Analysis

In many cases, a business plan proposes not a brand-new (or even market-disrupting) venture, but a more competitive version — whether via features, pricing, integrations, etc. — than what is currently available. In this section, answer the following questions to show that your product or service stands to outpace competitors:

• Who is the competition? 
• What do they do best? 
• What is our unique value proposition?

Step 5: Description of Organizational Management

In this section, write an overview of the team members and other key personnel who are integral to success. List roles and responsibilities, and if possible, note the hierarchy or team structure.

Step 6: Description of Products or Services

In this section, clearly define your product or service, as well as all the effort and resources that go into producing it. The strength of your product largely defines the success of your business, so it’s imperative that you take time to test and refine the product before launching into marketing, sales, or funding details.

Questions to answer in this section are as follows:

• What is the product or service?
• How do we produce it, and what resources are necessary for production?

Step 7: Marketing Plan

In this section, define the marketing strategy for your product or service. This doesn’t need to be as fleshed out as a full marketing plan , but it should answer basic questions, such as the following:

• Who is the target market (if different from existing customer base)?
• What channels will you use to reach your target market?
• What resources does your marketing strategy require, and do you have access to them?
• If possible, do you have a rough estimate of timeline and budget?
• How will you measure success?

Step 8: Sales Plan

Write an overview of the sales strategy, including the priorities of each cycle, steps to achieve these goals, and metrics for success. For the purposes of a business plan, this section does not need to be a comprehensive, in-depth sales plan , but can simply outline the high-level objectives and strategies of your sales efforts. 

Start by answering the following questions:

• What is the sales strategy?
• What are the tools and tactics you will use to achieve your goals?
• What are the potential obstacles, and how will you overcome them?
• What is the timeline for sales and turning a profit?
• What are the metrics of success?

Step 9: Funding Details (or Request for Funding)

This section is one of the most critical parts of your business plan, particularly if you are sharing it with investors. You do not need to provide a full financial plan, but you should be able to answer the following questions:

• How much capital do you currently have? How much capital do you need?
• How will you grow the team (onboarding, team structure, training and development)?
• What are your physical needs and constraints (space, equipment, etc.)?

Step 10: Financial Projections

Apart from the fundraising analysis, investors like to see thought-out financial projections for the future. As discussed earlier, depending on the scope and stage of your business, this could be anywhere from one to five years. 

While these projections won’t be exact — and will need to be somewhat flexible — you should be able to gauge the following:

• How and when will the company first generate a profit?
• How will the company maintain profit thereafter?

Business Plan Template

Download Business Plan Template

Microsoft Excel | Smartsheet

This basic business plan template has space for all the traditional elements: an executive summary, product or service details, target audience, marketing and sales strategies, etc. In the finances sections, input your baseline numbers, and the template will automatically calculate projections for sales forecasting, financial statements, and more.

For templates tailored to more specific needs, visit this business plan template roundup or download a fill-in-the-blank business plan template to make things easy. 

If you are looking for a particular template by file type, visit our pages dedicated exclusively to Microsoft Excel , Microsoft Word , and Adobe PDF business plan templates.

How to Write a Simple Business Plan

A simple business plan is a streamlined, lightweight version of the large, traditional model. As opposed to a one-page business plan , which communicates high-level information for quick overviews (such as a stakeholder presentation), a simple business plan can exceed one page.

Below are the steps for creating a generic simple business plan, which are reflected in the template below .

• Write the Executive Summary This section is the same as in the traditional business plan — simply offer an overview of what’s in the business plan, the prospect or core offering, and the short- and long-term goals of the company. 
• Add a Company Overview Document the larger company mission and vision. 
• Provide the Problem and Solution In straightforward terms, define the problem you are attempting to solve with your product or service and how your company will attempt to do it. Think of this section as the gap in the market you are attempting to close.
• Identify the Target Market Who is your company (and its products or services) attempting to reach? If possible, briefly define your buyer personas .
• Write About the Competition In this section, demonstrate your knowledge of the market by listing the current competitors and outlining your competitive advantage.
• Describe Your Product or Service Offerings Get down to brass tacks and define your product or service. What exactly are you selling?
• Outline Your Marketing Tactics Without getting into too much detail, describe your planned marketing initiatives.
• Add a Timeline and the Metrics You Will Use to Measure Success Offer a rough timeline, including milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs) that you will use to measure your progress.
• Include Your Financial Forecasts Write an overview of your financial plan that demonstrates you have done your research and adequate modeling. You can also list key assumptions that go into this forecasting. 
• Identify Your Financing Needs This section is where you will make your funding request. Based on everything in the business plan, list your proposed sources of funding, as well as how you will use it.

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

Microsoft Excel |  Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this simple business plan template to outline each aspect of your organization, including information about financing and opportunities to seek out further funding. This template is completely customizable to fit the needs of any business, whether it’s a startup or large company.

Read our article offering free simple business plan templates or free 30-60-90-day business plan templates to find more tailored options. You can also explore our collection of one page business templates . 

How to Write a Business Plan for a Lean Startup

A Lean startup business plan is a more Agile approach to a traditional version. The plan focuses more on activities, processes, and relationships (and maintains flexibility in all aspects), rather than on concrete deliverables and timelines.

While there is some overlap between a traditional and a Lean business plan, you can write a Lean plan by following the steps below:

• Add Your Value Proposition Take a streamlined approach to describing your product or service. What is the unique value your startup aims to deliver to customers? Make sure the team is aligned on the core offering and that you can state it in clear, simple language.
• List Your Key Partners List any other businesses you will work with to realize your vision, including external vendors, suppliers, and partners. This section demonstrates that you have thoughtfully considered the resources you can provide internally, identified areas for external assistance, and conducted research to find alternatives.
• Note the Key Activities Describe the key activities of your business, including sourcing, production, marketing, distribution channels, and customer relationships.
• Include Your Key Resources List the critical resources — including personnel, equipment, space, and intellectual property — that will enable you to deliver your unique value.
• Identify Your Customer Relationships and Channels In this section, document how you will reach and build relationships with customers. Provide a high-level map of the customer experience from start to finish, including the spaces in which you will interact with the customer (online, retail, etc.). 
• Detail Your Marketing Channels Describe the marketing methods and communication platforms you will use to identify and nurture your relationships with customers. These could be email, advertising, social media, etc.
• Explain the Cost Structure This section is especially necessary in the early stages of a business. Will you prioritize maximizing value or keeping costs low? List the foundational startup costs and how you will move toward profit over time.
• Share Your Revenue Streams Over time, how will the company make money? Include both the direct product or service purchase, as well as secondary sources of revenue, such as subscriptions, selling advertising space, fundraising, etc.

Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Download Lean Business Plan Template for Startups

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

Startup leaders can use this Lean business plan template to relay the most critical information from a traditional plan. You’ll find all the sections listed above, including spaces for industry and product overviews, cost structure and sources of revenue, and key metrics, and a timeline. The template is completely customizable, so you can edit it to suit the objectives of your Lean startups.

See our wide variety of  startup business plan templates for more options.

How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan

A business plan for a loan, often called a loan proposal , includes many of the same aspects of a traditional business plan, as well as additional financial documents, such as a credit history, a loan request, and a loan repayment plan.

In addition, you may be asked to include personal and business financial statements, a form of collateral, and equity investment information.

Download free financial templates to support your business plan.

Tips for Writing a Business Plan

Outside of including all the key details in your business plan, you have several options to elevate the document for the highest chance of winning funding and other resources. Follow these tips from experts:.

• Keep It Simple: Avner Brodsky , the Co-Founder and CEO of Lezgo Limited, an online marketing company, uses the acronym KISS (keep it short and simple) as a variation on this idea. “The business plan is not a college thesis,” he says. “Just focus on providing the essential information.”
• Do Adequate Research: Michael Dean, the Co-Founder of Pool Research , encourages business leaders to “invest time in research, both internal and external (market, finance, legal etc.). Avoid being overly ambitious or presumptive. Instead, keep everything objective, balanced, and accurate.” Your plan needs to stand on its own, and you must have the data to back up any claims or forecasting you make. As Brodsky explains, “Your business needs to be grounded on the realities of the market in your chosen location. Get the most recent data from authoritative sources so that the figures are vetted by experts and are reliable.”
• Set Clear Goals: Make sure your plan includes clear, time-based goals. “Short-term goals are key to momentum growth and are especially important to identify for new businesses,” advises Dean.
• Know (and Address) Your Weaknesses: “This awareness sets you up to overcome your weak points much quicker than waiting for them to arise,” shares Dean. Brodsky recommends performing a full SWOT analysis to identify your weaknesses, too. “Your business will fare better with self-knowledge, which will help you better define the mission of your business, as well as the strategies you will choose to achieve your objectives,” he adds.
• Seek Peer or Mentor Review: “Ask for feedback on your drafts and for areas to improve,” advises Brodsky. “When your mind is filled with dreams for your business, sometimes it is an outsider who can tell you what you’re missing and will save your business from being a product of whimsy.”

Outside of these more practical tips, the language you use is also important and may make or break your business plan.

Shaun Heng, VP of Operations at Coin Market Cap , gives the following advice on the writing, “Your business plan is your sales pitch to an investor. And as with any sales pitch, you need to strike the right tone and hit a few emotional chords. This is a little tricky in a business plan, because you also need to be formal and matter-of-fact. But you can still impress by weaving in descriptive language and saying things in a more elegant way.

“A great way to do this is by expanding your vocabulary, avoiding word repetition, and using business language. Instead of saying that something ‘will bring in as many customers as possible,’ try saying ‘will garner the largest possible market segment.’ Elevate your writing with precise descriptive words and you'll impress even the busiest investor.”

Additionally, Dean recommends that you “stay consistent and concise by keeping your tone and style steady throughout, and your language clear and precise. Include only what is 100 percent necessary.”

Resources for Writing a Business Plan

While a template provides a great outline of what to include in a business plan, a live document or more robust program can provide additional functionality, visibility, and real-time updates. The U.S. Small Business Association also curates resources for writing a business plan.

Additionally, you can use business plan software to house data, attach documentation, and share information with stakeholders. Popular options include LivePlan, Enloop, BizPlanner, PlanGuru, and iPlanner.

How a Business Plan Helps to Grow Your Business

A business plan — both the exercise of creating one and the document — can grow your business by helping you to refine your product, target audience, sales plan, identify opportunities, secure funding, and build new partnerships. 

Outside of these immediate returns, writing a business plan is a useful exercise in that it forces you to research the market, which prompts you to forge your unique value proposition and identify ways to beat the competition. Doing so will also help you build (and keep you accountable to) attainable financial and product milestones. And down the line, it will serve as a welcome guide as hurdles inevitably arise.

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The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

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Our guide to writing a business plan like a pro

If you’re looking to start a new business, an essential first step is to put together a business plan. Here are a few important elements to consider.

Business specialist ANZ Financially Ready

2023-11-23 05:30

What is a business plan?

• Business plans are an essential for all businesses
• What you need to include in your business plan
• Tools and templates to get you started

If you’re looking to start a new business, one of the first things you should do is put together a business plan. Like with anything in life, you can save yourself a lot of stress and grey hairs down the track if you take the time to set goals, think things through properly and implement systems from the get-go.

In its simplest form, a business plan is a document – physical or digital – that explains the goals of a business, how it will achieve them and generally how it will function. A business plan can also contain essential information, such as organisational structure, key staff and your product or service offerings.

While typically just an internal document,  a business plan can be very useful when trying to secure funding.  Both potential investors and banks will be interested in seeing it when considering if they should invest in your business.  So, it pays to have a plan in place.

Why is a business plan important?

Business plans can help you dig a little deeper and get a better understanding on different areas of your business. For example, it might help you understand how you’ll collect customer data or how to manage risks.

Another great reason why a business plan is a must-have is that it can help you refine how your business can make money. These plans give you the opportunity to conduct market research and identify gaps or work out what your value proposition truly is and how you can get an advantage over your competitors.

Filling out this document can also help you streamline other areas within your business, such as your finances and marketing. By having a holistic view of your business, you can make confident choices that are consistent with its values and direction.

What should you include in a business plan?

No two business plans are alike, but there are some things that all business plans should have, regardless of your business’ industry and type. As a starting point, we’re going to explain the different types of information that you might include in your business plan. You can also download our business plan template and follow along as we go through this list.

Business description

You need to describe the fundamentals of your business. Begin by asking yourself, "What industry am I in?" Answer this question with details about your products or services and the markets you intend to target.

Goals and objectives

Any business plan must have your business’ goals for the short-, medium- and long-term periods. These goals should be clearly and carefully defined and explain where your business intends to go and by when.

Objectives are the actual steps that your business will need to take to reach each goal. They tell you how to get where you want to go, helping your business focus on what matters. When writing your objectives, consider the different ways you will achieve your goals. What will you do? Who will be involved?

Risk management

Identifying the risks your business might face, and how you manage those risks, is essential for any business plan. By including risk management into your business plan, you can adopt a consistent approach to managing risks as a business, and all staff understand what they need to do should a risk occur.

Price positioning and strategy

How are you going to position your product or service in the market? Will you price low and compete on price with the aim of selling large volumes, or will you position your goods as luxury items? Your customers will want to get what they pay for, so it is important to be consistent with your price positioning.

Core competitive advantage

A core competitive advantage will help your business differentiate its goods or services from those of your competition. Conduct competitor research and compare your business to your competitors – think about how your offering can stand out from the crowd.

Cash flow forecast

It's vital to have an idea of your financial liquidity over a certain time period, say 12 months. Get a plan underway with a cash flow forecast (xlsx) that outlines each month’s projected cash on hand, receipts, payments and overall cash balance.

Ensure that you include every item and consider seasonal changes in sales. In addition, plan multiple scenarios such as an optimistic sales forecast and a pessimistic sales forecast.

Market research

Market research should be a core component of your business plan. Whether you get customer feedback through a short survey or face-to-face focus group, quality research can help you understand what your target market wants and enjoys about your offerings.

Both primary research (surveys, interviews and speaking to customers) and secondary research (government statistics, trade publications and information that's already been gathered) can be useful for improving different areas of business, such as the product itself, product distribution and your marketing channels.

Marketing plan

Now that you’ve conducted market research, you can use those findings to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy . You can determine which channels will work best for your product and market. For example, a fashion boutique targeted towards Gen Z might focus on social media and online marketing, whereas a professional services consultancy might focus more on local area marketing or networking events.

Ongoing development strategy

Your business plan may be most useful when establishing your business, but reviewing and improving your strategy as your business moves forward is just as important.

For your business to continue to develop and grow, you'll need to consistently check its foundations and structure while looking for areas that could do with a little refinement.

If you’re ready to start developing your own business plan, then you can download our Business plan template (PDF) . Or you can download and our Growing your business checklist (PDF) as a starting point.

Related articles

Ways to grow your business.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Start with these simple strategies.

Give your business direction with a clear strategy

We highlight the importance of taking time to think strategically and how to do it effectively.

Important information

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Read the  ANZ Financial Services Guide (PDF)  and, if applicable, the product  Terms and Conditions . Carefully consider what's right for you, and ask your lawyer, accountant or financial planner if you need help. 

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Terms and conditions, fees and charges, and credit approval and eligibility criteria apply to ANZ products.

smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

Business plan template.

Having a well prepared business plan before starting your business can help you refine your idea, gain a deeper understanding of your market and have a clear direction for your business. Our guide to using the business plan template will help you when using this resource.

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10 Simple Tips to Write a Successful Business Plan

"The absolute biggest business plan mistake you can make is to not plan at all." So writes Noah Parsons in his helpful blog post 17 Key Business Plan Mistakes to Avoid in 2023 . But how does one pull together all of the necessary components of a cohesive plan? It can feel overwhelming.

Eric Butow, CEO of online marketing ROI improvement firm Butow Communications Group, has teamed up with Entrepreneur Media to update the second edition of our best-selling book Write Your Business Plan to provide you with a simple, step-by-step process for creating a successful business plan. In the following excerpt, he gives ten tips to gather all of the critical information you will need to succeed.

1. Know your competition.

You need to name them and point out what makes you different from (and better than) each of them. But do not disparage your competition.

2. Know your audience.

You may need several versions of your business plan. For example, you may need one for bankers or venture capitalists, one for individual investors, and one for companies that may want to do a joint venture with you rather than fund you.

3. Have proof to back up every claim you make.

If you expect to be the leader in your field in six months, you have to say why you think that is. If you say your product will take the market by storm, you have to support this statement with facts. If you say your management team is fully qualified to make the business a success, be sure staff resumes demonstrate their experience.

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4. Be conservative in all financial estimates and projections.

If you feel certain you'll capture 50 percent of the market in the first year, you can say why you think so and hint at what those numbers may be. But make your financial projections more conservative. For example, a 10 percent market share is much more credible.

5. Be realistic with time and resources available.

If you're working with a big company before you buy a business, you may think things will happen faster than they will once you have to buy the supplies, write the checks, and answer the phones yourself. Being overly optimistic with time and resources is a common error entrepreneurs make. Being realistic is important because it lends credibility to your presentation. Always assume things will take 20 percent longer than you anticipated. Therefore, twenty weeks is now twenty-four weeks.

6. Be logical.

Think like a banker and write what they would want to see.

7. Have a strong management team.

Make sure it has good credentials and expertise. Your team members don't have to have worked in the field. However, you need to draw parallels between what they've done and the skills needed to make your venture succeed. Don't have all the skills you need? Consider adding an advisory board of people skilled in your field and include their resumes.

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8. Document why your idea will work.

Have others done something similar that was successful? Have you made a prototype? Include all the variables that can have an impact on the result or outcome of your idea. Show why some of the variables don't apply to your situation or explain how you intend to overcome them or make them better.

9. Describe your facilities and location for performing the work.

That includes equipment you use to create your products and/or services. If you'll need to expand, discuss when, where, and why.

10. Discuss payout options for the investors.

Some investors want a hands-on role. Some want to put associates on your board of directors. Some don't want to be involved in day-to-day activities at all. All investors want to know when they can get their money back and at what rate of return. Most want out within three to five years. Provide a brief description of options for investors, or at least mention that you're ready to discuss options with any serious prospect.

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What's in the budget for businesses? A lot, for those who can engineer a $22.7 billion 'Future Made in Australia'

Sydney-based SunDrive is one of the big winners of a budget that is investing major money into a "Future Made in Australia".

The solar panel start-up has a new technology that replaces expensive silver with cheaper copper in a high-efficiency solar panel, developed from research done at UNSW.

But unlike previous Australian solar technology advances, which powered China's dominance in producing panels, SunDrive's founders want to manufacture at least some of their product onshore.

"Australia has led the world in solar innovation — today's commercial solar cells were invented in Australia, Australia has held the world record efficiency for 30 of the last 40 years," SunDrive CEO Vince Allen said.

"However, very little of the economic value that has been produced has been captured in Australia from its solar R&D efforts.

"Last year, about $50 billion worth of solar panels were made around the world, but very little of that has been captured in Australia."

The Albanese government is trying to change that with an $835.6 million investment over the next decade and $66.8 million per year from 2034-35 to 2036-37 to establish the Solar Sunshot program administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

It's just one component of the federal government's $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia program, which Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in his budget speech is intended to make the nation "an indispensable part of the global economy".

Mr Allen said the billion-dollar investment is enough to kick-start the local solar panel industry.

"Australia can produce better solar products using its strength in solar innovation, and we can make these products and export them all around the world," he argued.

Green hydrogen and critical minerals win big

David Christensen is the managing director of graphite miner Renascor.

Like SunDrive, Renascor has already been announced as a recipient of government funding, in its case as a critical minerals producer — a sector budgeted to see at least $7 billion in government assistance over the next 11 years and billions more in the years beyond that.

"What we're really hoping to see is further initiatives like the critical minerals facility, that'll allow Australia not just to do the mining but to move one step further, value-add, and build into this growing industry," he told The Business.

"So that we're not just mining a project, but we're refining it and we're doing more technical development work and really becoming an advanced manufacturing base in an emerging industry."

The government is budgeting to invest a further $1.5 billion over seven years to support renewables and clean technology projects, a further $1.7 billion over a decade in the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, and $549 million over eight years to support domestic battery manufacturing, all managed by ARENA.

"The real emerging growth in this industry is in electric vehicles … and this is really driving demand for new graphite projects," Mr Christensen said.

"So, we would expect the bulk of the material that we're going to be mining and then refining here in Australia, to wind up in lithium-ion batteries and then go into electric vehicles."

The other major renewable technology initiative is support for green hydrogen production, to the tune of around $8 billion over the next 11 years.

For both critical minerals and green hydrogen, the bulk of the budget cost will come from production tax incentives, planned to run from 2027-28 to 2040-41.

"This budget invests in our renewable energy superpower ambitions – including $13.7 billion in production tax incentives for green hydrogen and processed critical minerals, so industries are rewarded for scale and success," Mr Chalmers said in his budget speech.

This is the kind of industry assistance that is likely to meet approval from many experts, such as Rod Sims from ANU's Crawford School of Public Policy.

"There seems to be two philosophies behind the future made in Australia," Professor Sims told The Business.

"The really good one, which is early government support for industries where Australia has a comparative advantage — that's things like green iron, green urea, green polysilicon, things that are really energy intensive.

"And Australia has a fantastic comparative advantage because we've got enormous resources of renewable energy.

"The government does need to play a role there because we don't have a carbon price and so that means you've got an uneven playing field between green and black products."

However, Professor Sims is not as sold on government investments in other areas where Australia does not enjoy natural advantages.

"For security reasons, strategic reasons, the government feels that we should be making certain things in Australia, and we've seen announcements on quantum computing, we've seen announcements on solar panels," he observed.

"And the government is arguing, I think, that there needs to be some element of Australia having its own industry.

"The onus is on government to explain the strategic reason, the security reason, because, after all, we're using taxpayers money to do that."

Instant asset write-off extended

While start-ups and the top end of town are in line to get the big dollars to invest in a Future Made in Australia, the government has offered some assistance for small businesses.

"We want Australian small businesses to share in the big opportunities ahead as well," Mr Chalmers said.

"That's why we are extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off until 30 June 2025.

"Providing $290 million in cash flow support for up to 4 million small businesses."

Under the extension, businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million will continue to be able to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 that are first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2025.

Treasury said the asset threshold applies on a per asset basis, so small businesses can instantly write off multiple items.

Eligible small businesses will also receive energy bill relief of $325 next financial year.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's CEO Andrew McKellar told The Business ahead of the budget that a key priority should be reining in government spending to put downward pressure on inflation.

"It's got to show that it's getting spending under control in those areas where there's been double-digit growth — that's been on public debt interest, that's been on areas like NDIS, there's a lot of pressure in areas like the aged care budget, the rest of the health budget, we've seen what they've projected in terms of defence," he argued.

He was also concerned about the government's plan to put a lid on the number of international student enrolments in an effort to address Australia's housing shortage from the demand side.

"International students, international education, that's a $40 billion-plus export industry for Australia," he said.

"We shouldn't be capping that we should be encouraging that."

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