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Supporting Business

Staying up-to-date on industry trends and opportunities can give you confidence and your business direction.

Preparing to do business

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Develop a business plan

A written business plan is the essential first step to start your business.

Create your business plan and outline:

What is the product and services you plan to offer?
An explanation of the intended customer, and how you will attract them?
What is required to set up your business?

Visit the Business Victoria website for more information about how to write a business plan.

Research planning requirements

Planning considers the way land is used and developed, and how this impacts the character and amenity of an area.

Planning requirements may inform the following:

Can your business operate on the proposed location?
Onsite signage possibilities
The impact of your business to the existing neighbourhood and services

To understand your planning requirements we will be able to better support you if you can provide:

You will need your business plan or vision
If you already have a property in mind, please provide us with the address
A basic plan showing how your business will operate.

If you are still looking for a property, please let us know your requirements and our team are happy support you.

Visit Preparing for where you will do business for further information about Planning requirements or contact the Economic Development team.

Contact us

The City of Ballarat’s Economic Development Team is dedicated to supporting businesses, small, large, or just starting. By providing us with the information about your business at the start, we can direct you to the right people in the City of Ballarat to progress your vision.

The team is available to assist you to:

Conduct initial research to identify commercial or industrial sites
Guide you through council's regulatory processes
Connect you with regional markets, key influencers, and business associations
Connect you with other council services

Phone: 5320 5500
Email: economicdevelopment@ballarat.vic.gov.au
Online application form: Small Business Application

The team will then be in contact with you to discuss your business over the phone or to arrange an in person meeting.

Page topics

Business Planning

Registering a domestic animal business

Under current legislation, all domestic animal businesses must be registered with the City of Ballarat. Domestic animal businesses include: animal pounds operated by the City of Ballarat or a City of Ballarat contractor breeding businesses (cats and/or dogs) training for dogs and cats pet shops animal (welfare) shelters dog/cat rearing/breeding premises.

man and lady standing in front of a Darrell Lea chocolate display shelf holding milkshakes

Bridge Mall – open for business

The Bridge Mall precinct is a thriving destination for traders, local shoppers and tourists, and is attracting new traders and investment.

business lady with tablet

Preparing for where you will do business

The types of permits you will need will vary based on what your business vision is, together with where you would like to operate your business from.

Generic image of scientist in a lab

Launching innovative Ballarat businesses

The City of Ballarat is proud to be supporting the Runway Incubator Program, designed to guide budding entrepreneurs who have innovative business ideas with the potential for success. The Runway Incubator Program is designed to support those who have a business idea and believe there is demand in the market for it. The program will support the entrepreneur to launch their idea as a startup business, whilst connecting and learning from...

Adam from Zero Plastics Australia at his workstation.

Helping businesses support the community

A City of Ballarat strategic partnership with non-profit Runway has empowered local businesses to do good in the community. Earlier this year, several local business owners participated in Runway’s program ‘Get READY, Get SET, GROW’. The program is designed for existing businesses that need assistance with getting to the heart of customer problems and exploring opportunities to address those problems. The City of Ballarat’s Strategic ...

Generic image of coworking spaces at Runway HQ, Flecknoe Building

Fostering business ideas in Ballarat

People with a business idea, who are ready to gain some practical advice and support before launching their idea are encouraged to apply for Runway’s Incubator Program. The City of Ballarat is proud to partner with Runway HQ to support the program and to help launch the initiative at an Open Day on 22 November 2024. The Incubator Program will provide advice, assistance and learnings from those who have already had Startup experience. ...

Council meeting

Getting on with the business of delivering for our community

Getting on with the business of delivering for our community

outdoor dining

Businesses to shape the future of outdoor dining

The City of Ballarat is extending the opportunity for businesses to choose how they operate outdoors, as our City officially welcomes back visitors from Melbourne.  Council voted on Wednesday night to rollover more than $750,000 in funds from its Business and Community Support Grants package to continue to assist those businesses and groups severely impacted by COVID restrictions.  This assistance is in addition t...