The Complete Checklist for Opening a Restaurant in Australia

Australia's hospitality industry is fiercely competitive. With over 17,000 new restaurants opening (and closing) each year, success requires more than great food. This comprehensive checklist covers everything from legal requirements to the digital presence that fills tables.

Sobering Statistic

60% of restaurants fail within the first year. 80% close within five years. Most failures come from poor planning and marketing, not bad food. This checklist helps you avoid common pitfalls.

Phase 1: Legal & Business Setup

Business Registration

✓ Choose business structure - Sole trader, partnership, company, or trust
✓ Register ABN - Australian Business Number (free at abr.gov.au)
✓ Register for GST - Required if turnover exceeds $75,000/year
✓ Register business name - Through ASIC ($39/year)
✓ Open business bank account - Keep personal and business finances separate

Licenses & Permits

✓ Food business registration - Register with your local council
✓ Food safety supervisor certificate - At least one person per shift
✓ Liquor license - Apply through state liquor authority (3-6 months processing)
✓ Outdoor dining permit - If using footpath or outdoor areas
✓ Music/entertainment license - APRA AMCOS for background music
✓ Development approval - If changing property use or making alterations

Phase 2: Location & Premises

Choosing Your Location

✓ Foot traffic analysis - Count pedestrians at different times/days
✓ Competition mapping - What's nearby? Is there a gap?
✓ Parking availability - Critical in suburban locations
✓ Delivery zone consideration - Uber Eats/DoorDash coverage areas
✓ Lease negotiation - Get a commercial lawyer, negotiate rent-free fit-out period

Kitchen & Fit-out

✓ Commercial kitchen layout - Work flow, stations, safety
✓ Exhaust and ventilation - Compliant extraction system
✓ Grease trap installation - Council requirement for food premises
✓ Fire safety - Extinguishers, suppression systems, exit signs
✓ Accessibility compliance - Disability access requirements

Phase 3: Equipment & Systems

✓ Kitchen equipment - Ovens, cooktops, fryers, refrigeration
✓ POS system - Square, Lightspeed, or Toast
✓ Online ordering integration - Direct ordering reduces platform fees
✓ Table reservation system - OpenTable, ResDiary, or similar
✓ Accounting software - Xero or MYOB with POS integration
✓ Staff rostering - Deputy, Tanda, or similar

Phase 4: Staffing

✓ Head chef - Experience, references, menu development
✓ Kitchen staff - Cooks, prep, dishwashers
✓ Front of house - Manager, waitstaff, bartenders
✓ RSA certification - Required for anyone serving alcohol
✓ Employment contracts - Restaurant Industry Award rates
✓ WorkCover registration - Workers compensation insurance
✓ Superannuation setup - 11.5% super guarantee

Phase 5: Insurance

✓ Public liability - Minimum $10-20 million coverage
✓ Product liability - For food-related illness claims
✓ Workers compensation - Mandatory if employing staff
✓ Contents insurance - Equipment, stock, fit-out
✓ Business interruption - Covers lost income during closures

Phase 6: Marketing & Online Presence

The Make-or-Break Phase

Your restaurant can have the best food in town, but if no one knows about it, tables stay empty. 87% of diners research restaurants online before visiting.

Essential Digital Setup

✓ Professional website - Menu, hours, location, booking (see our hosting solutions)
✓ Google Business Profile - Photos, menu, hours, reviews - THE most important listing
✓ Instagram presence - Food photography is essential for restaurants
✓ Facebook page - Events, specials, community engagement
✓ Review management - Monitor and respond to all reviews (see our review management)
✓ Messenger automation - Answer booking queries 24/7 (see our messenger automation)

Delivery Platforms

✓ Uber Eats - Largest market share in Australia
✓ DoorDash - Growing competitor
✓ Menulog - Coles Group owned
✓ Direct ordering - Your own online ordering reduces platform fees (30%+)

Phase 7: Pre-Opening

✓ Health inspection - Final council inspection before opening
✓ Soft opening - Friends and family test run
✓ Staff training complete - Menu knowledge, service standards
✓ Supplier accounts established - Fresh produce, dry goods, beverages
✓ Opening marketing campaign - Social media teaser, local press, influencer invites
✓ Grand opening event - Create buzz, collect emails, encourage reviews

Fill Your Tables Faster

We help restaurants across Australia get found on Google, manage reviews, and automate bookings. Your food deserves to be discovered.

Get a Free Visibility Audit

Estimated Startup Costs

Category	Cost Range (AUD)
Lease deposit & legal	$30,000 - $100,000
Fit-out (50 seat)	$150,000 - $500,000
Kitchen equipment	$50,000 - $150,000
Furniture & fixtures	$20,000 - $80,000
Licenses & permits	$5,000 - $20,000
Initial stock	$10,000 - $30,000
Marketing launch	$10,000 - $30,000
Working capital (3 months)	$50,000 - $150,000
Total Estimated	$325,000 - $1,060,000