Plenty of people dream of running their own events company, but far fewer know where to begin with the paperwork. If you want to start an event planning business in Australia, the good news is that the setup is relatively simple compared with many other countries. Most planners begin as sole traders, working from home with a laptop, a phone and a growing list of supplier contacts.
The harder part is everything around the registration: choosing a niche, pricing properly, getting the right insurance and understanding the permits that your clients’ events may need. Get those wrong and a single bad event can wipe out a year of profit.
This guide takes you through the practical steps, from your ABN and GST obligations to public liability insurance, council permits and finding your first clients. It is general information only, not legal or tax advice, so check the details with the relevant authority or a registered tax agent for your situation.
Step 1: Decide what kind of event business you are building
“Event planning” covers very different businesses. Before you register anything, be clear about which one you are starting, because it shapes your pricing, your insurance needs and the skills you must have.
| Business model | Typical clients | Key skills | Main risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding and private event planner | Couples, families | Client care, styling, supplier coordination | Seasonality, weekend workload, emotional clients |
| Corporate and business events | Companies, associations, agencies | Budgets, logistics, stakeholder reporting | Long payment terms, cancellation exposure |
| Festival and public event producer | Councils, promoters, community groups | Production, permits, crowd safety | Higher liability, weather, ticket sales |
| Freelance event coordinator | Agencies and planners needing extra hands | Reliability, on-site delivery | Irregular work, lower rates |
| Styling and decoration business | Couples, venues, brands | Design, hire stock, installation | Equipment costs, storage, transport |
Most new businesses start in one segment and expand once they have cash flow and a reputation. If you are still building your skills, read how to become an event planner in Australia first, and consider targeted training such as a wedding planner course or corporate event management depending on your chosen market.
Step 2: Choose your business structure
Australia’s main structures for small businesses are sole trader, partnership, company and trust. Most event planners start as sole traders because it is simple and inexpensive to set up.
- Sole trader: you trade as yourself, use your own tax file number and report business income on your individual tax return. You are personally responsible for the business’s debts.
- Partnership: two or more people run the business together and share profits and liabilities.
- Company: a separate legal entity registered with ASIC. More setup and reporting, but it can limit personal liability and may suit larger or higher-risk operations.
Many planners begin as sole traders and move to a company later, once revenue and risk grow. An accountant can help you decide when that switch makes sense.
Step 3: Apply for an ABN
An Australian Business Number (ABN) identifies your business to the government and to clients. You are entitled to an ABN if you are carrying on or starting an enterprise in Australia. Applying through the Australian Business Register at abr.gov.au is free; you do not need to pay a third-party website to do it for you.
When you apply as a sole trader you will typically need:
- Your personal details, including your tax file number (providing your TFN usually speeds up the process)
- A short description of your business activity, such as “event planning and coordination services”
- Your business start date
- Your business address and contact details (a home address is acceptable for a sole trader)
Having an ABN matters in practice. Without one, businesses that pay you may be required to withhold tax from your payments, generally at the top rate. An ABN is also needed to register a business name.
Register a business name if you need one
If you trade under any name other than your own legal name, for example “Harbour Lights Events” rather than “Jane Smith”, you need to register it as a business name with ASIC. Check that the name is available, that a matching domain and social media handles are free, and that you are not infringing someone else’s trade mark. ASIC charges a registration fee; check the current amount on its website.
Step 4: Understand GST and income tax
According to the Australian Taxation Office, you must register for GST when your GST turnover reaches $75,000, and you need to register within 21 days of exceeding that threshold. Below the threshold registration is optional. If you register, you add GST to your invoices and can claim GST credits on business purchases.
For income tax, sole traders pay tax at individual rates on their business profit. Because no tax is withheld from ABN payments, it is essential to put money aside from each invoice for your tax bill. A registered tax agent can help you plan instalments and claim the right deductions.
Money habits from day one
- Open a separate bank account for the business.
- Use accounting software to issue invoices and track expenses.
- Keep every receipt; supplier invoices, software, travel and training may be deductible.
- Take deposits from clients before you commit money to suppliers.
- Review your cash flow monthly, especially before peak season.
Step 5: Get the right insurance
Insurance is not optional in events. Venues and councils will regularly ask for proof of cover before they let you work on their premises. The main types to consider are:
- Public liability insurance: covers claims if a third party is injured or their property is damaged because of your business activities. Many councils require minimum cover in the range of $10 million to $20 million, often noting the council as an interested party. Brisbane City Council, for example, requires a certificate of currency for public liability of at least $20 million for assessable events.
- Professional indemnity insurance: covers claims arising from errors in your advice or planning.
- Workers’ compensation: required under state and territory schemes if you employ staff.
- Equipment cover: if you own styling items, hire stock or AV gear.
Speak to a broker who understands events, and read the exclusions carefully, particularly for activities such as fireworks, amusement rides or alcohol service.
Step 6: Learn the permits and licences your events may need
As a planner you rarely need a licence to run your business itself, but the events you organise often need approvals. Requirements differ between states and councils, so always check locally. The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS), run on business.gov.au, is a useful starting point to search the licences that apply to a given activity and location.
Events on public land
Councils regulate events in parks, streets and reserves. In Melbourne, the City of Melbourne requires a permit to conduct an event on public land, such as a festival, procession or street party, and lists adequate public liability insurance as an eligibility requirement. Its guidance indicates that small activities need roughly one to two weeks’ notice, while large events may need six to twelve months. If an event is held on a road, Victoria Police and the relevant road authority must also be notified.
In Brisbane, the council requires a permit for events on council land and for larger events. Applications should be lodged at least 30 working days before the event. Events of 1,000 people or more become “assessable” if, for example, they run before 7am or after 10pm, involve alcohol, need road closures or traffic management, or exceed 5,000 people at any one time.
Liquor, food and noise
- Liquor: events that sell or supply alcohol generally need a liquor licence from the relevant state authority, and responsible service of alcohol practices apply. In Brisbane, serving alcohol on council land also needs council permission.
- Food: food vendors, caterers and food trucks need the appropriate food business licences or temporary approvals under state food safety laws.
- Amplified sound: councils may require a permit or a noise management plan for live music, DJs and sound systems.
- Traffic and structures: road closures, temporary structures and staging may need extra approvals and engineering sign-off.
Work health and safety
Event organisers have duties under work health and safety laws towards staff, contractors, volunteers and attendees. In practice that means a documented risk assessment, first aid and emergency plans, crowd management and capacity control, and safe electrical and staging practices. Training in event risk and crowd safety is one of the best investments you can make before you take on public events. Understanding staging, sound and lighting production also helps you assess supplier safety properly.
Step 7: Contracts, terms and pricing
Clear contracts protect you and your clients. At minimum, your terms should cover scope of services, fees and payment schedule, deposits, cancellation and postponement, changes to scope, liability limits, supplier responsibilities, and use of photos for marketing. Have a lawyer review your template once; it is money well spent.
Pricing is where many new planners struggle. Work out what each package costs you in hours and expenses, add a margin, and compare your offer with competitors at a similar level. For wedding planners specifically, our guide to wedding planner salaries and fees in Australia summarises typical price ranges and models.
Step 8: Build your supplier network
Your suppliers are your reputation. Start building relationships with venues, caterers, florists, AV companies, hire firms, photographers and transport providers in your area. Visit venues, attend open days and trade events, and keep a database of contacts with notes on pricing and reliability.
Knowing the basics of each supplier’s craft helps you brief them clearly and spot problems early. A catering and banqueting course is useful if you work with a lot of food-led events, and event decoration and styling skills let you add design services to your offer.
Step 9: Market your business and win your first clients
Your first clients usually come from your own network. After that, a mix of channels works best:
- A professional website with clear services, a portfolio and an easy enquiry form.
- Google Business Profile so you appear in local searches and collect reviews.
- Instagram and Pinterest for weddings and styled events; LinkedIn for corporate work.
- Supplier referrals: venues and caterers often recommend planners they trust.
- Industry networking: join Meetings & Events Australia and attend local branch events and trade shows such as AIME in Melbourne.
- Content: helpful blog posts and guides that answer the questions your clients search for.
Learning event marketing and sponsorship will help you market both your business and your clients’ events. If you are deciding where to base your business, our guide to the events scene in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane compares the three largest markets.
Start-up checklist
- Choose your niche and business model
- Decide on a structure (usually sole trader to start)
- Apply for an ABN through the Australian Business Register
- Register a business name with ASIC if you are not trading under your own name
- Register for GST if you expect to reach $75,000 turnover, or voluntarily
- Open a business bank account and set up accounting software
- Arrange public liability and other relevant insurance
- Prepare contract templates and a pricing sheet
- Build a supplier list and portfolio
- Launch your website and Google Business Profile
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to run an event planning business in Australia?
There is no general licence for event planners. However, depending on the event, you or your suppliers may need council permits, liquor licences, food business approvals and other permissions. Check requirements with the relevant council and state agencies, or search ABLIS.
Is an ABN free?
Yes. Applying for an ABN through the Australian Business Register is free. Be careful of websites that charge a fee to submit the same application on your behalf.
When do I need to register for GST?
The ATO requires you to register within 21 days of your GST turnover reaching $75,000. You can choose to register earlier if it suits your clients and your business.
How much public liability insurance do I need?
It depends on your events and on what venues and councils require. Many councils ask for $10 million to $20 million, and Brisbane City Council requires at least $20 million for assessable events. Talk to an insurance broker about your specific activities.
Can I run an event business from home?
Yes. Many sole-trader planners work from home and meet clients at venues or cafés. Check any local council rules if you plan to store large amounts of equipment or receive clients at your home.
Do I need formal training to start?
It is not legally required, but training reduces costly mistakes in budgeting, contracts and safety. Our article on choosing an event management course online in Australia explains your options.
Ready to build your event business?
Starting an event planning business in Australia is administratively simple: an ABN, the right insurance and an understanding of local permits will get you going. What keeps the business alive is skill, so invest in it early. ESINEV Australia offers online courses, diplomas and Advanced Professional Certificates taught by industry tutors, leading to the school’s own certificate. Explore the event management programme areas, return to the ESINEV Australia home page for an overview, or go straight to enrolment when you are ready.