What licences and approvals do I need to open a cafe or restaurant in Australia?

You’ll need to register your business, apply for an ABN, register for GST when turnover exceeds $75,000, and secure relevant local council approvals for food business operations (food-safety plan, health inspections, building compliance). If you serve alcohol, you also need a liquor licence. Insurance (public liability, workers comp, equipment) is essential.

How do I set up accounting, cash-flow and tax processes for a cafe or restaurant?}

Open separate business banking, use a POS system tied to cloud accounting software, track daily sales, cost of goods sold (COGS) for food and beverages, monitor inventory turnover, and reconcile daily to identify discrepancies early. Register for GST and lodge BAS quarterly, claim deductions for equipment, fit-out, utilities, staffing, uniforms, marketing, and renovations, and ensure payroll, superannuation and worker compliance to avoid penalties.

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How to Run a Café or Restaurant Business in Australia. Accounting, Compliance & Trinity’s Expert Support

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Trinity Accounting Practice — Accounting Firm in Beverly Hills
159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
☎️ 02 9543 6804
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Book an appointment: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna

Starting a Café or Restaurant — First Steps

Choose a Business Structure
• Sole Trader – simple, but higher personal risk
• Partnership – good for family-run or joint ventures
• Company – best for protection, branding, and growth
• Trust – used for tax planning and asset protection

📌 Trinity will advise and set up the best structure to suit your goals.

Get the Right Registrations
• ABN and TFN
• GST registration (if turnover > $75,000)
• Food business registration with your council
• Liquor licence (if serving alcohol)
• Music licences (OneMusic, APRA AMCOS, PPCA)

Understanding Hospitality Regulations

You must comply with:
• Food safety rules (storage, training, hygiene)
• Hospitality Industry (General) Award
• Council and health department inspections
• Super and payroll tax laws
• COVID-safe requirements, if applicable

What Expenses Can You Claim?

Staff Costs
• Wages and superannuation
• Payroll tax (state dependent)
• Uniforms and training

Stock & Ingredients
• Food and beverage stock
• Coffee, tea, alcohol, milk, condiments
• Packaging and takeaway supplies

Equipment & Furniture
• Coffee machines, fridges, freezers
• Kitchen fit-outs and utensils
• POS systems and tablet devices
• Tables, chairs, and signage

📌 Some assets may be depreciated or fully written off depending on cost thresholds.

Cleaning & Waste
• Commercial cleaning services
• Pest control
• Rubbish disposal and grease trap services

Marketing & Branding
• Menu design and signage
• Website and social media ads
• Food delivery platforms (UberEats, Menulog)

Software & Tech
• POS (Square, Kounta, Lightspeed)
• Rostering (Deputy, Tanda)
• Xero or MYOB
• Booking and delivery integrations

Rent, Utilities & Insurance
• Commercial rent
• Water, gas, electricity
• Equipment and liability insurance

📌 Trinity helps you track, record, and claim all legitimate business expenses.

Payroll and Award Compliance in Hospitality

You must:
• Follow the Hospitality Award for wages and conditions
• Apply penalty rates on weekends and public holidays
• Report wages via Single Touch Payroll (STP)
• Pay super on time (quarterly)
• Stay updated with Fair Work changes

💡 We help you build a payroll system using Xero and Deputy that is award-compliant and easy to manage.

Managing Cash Flow in Hospitality

• Use POS tools to monitor daily sales
• Review food cost and waste weekly
• Keep wages within 30–35% of revenue
• Watch supplier pricing and renegotiate often
• Use Xero or MYOB for real-time visibility and monthly budgeting

BAS, GST, and Tax for Cafés & Restaurants

Business Activity Statements (BAS)
• Lodge quarterly (monthly if high turnover)
• Report GST on food, drink, and services
• Claim GST on expenses like stock, rent, and utilities

Income Tax
• Sole traders declare income on personal return
• Companies pay 25% small business tax
• Trusts distribute profits to beneficiaries

Other Tax Considerations
• Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on staff meals or perks
• Instant asset write-offs and depreciation schedules

📌 We manage BAS lodgements, tax returns, and ATO correspondence — with full transparency.

Tips for Growing a Café or Restaurant

• Monitor COGS regularly and minimise wastage
• Streamline your menu with high-margin items
• Offer loyalty programs and email discounts
• Keep reviews high with service training
• Consider additional locations or franchising
• Review all contracts annually (suppliers, lease, delivery apps)

Real Café & Restaurant Clients We’ve Helped

We’ve helped hospitality clients to:
✅ Set up their company or trust
✅ Digitise their accounts and receipts
✅ Maximise deductions and reduce tax bills
✅ Negotiate ATO payment plans
✅ Access government grants during lockdowns
✅ Grow from one site to multiple venues

How Trinity Accounting Practice Supports Cafés & Restaurants

Bookkeeping & Reporting
• Xero or MYOB integration
• POS syncing and reconciliations
• Monthly profit/loss, cash flow, and KPI reporting

Payroll Setup & Management
• Accurate pay runs based on the Hospitality Award
• Superannuation and STP reporting
• Staff onboarding, leave tracking, and wage compliance

BAS & Tax Returns
• Quarterly BAS preparation and lodging
• Company or trust annual tax returns
• Depreciation and asset write-off calculations

Budgeting & Strategic Advice
• Menu and pricing strategy
• Budget forecasting and cash flow planning
• Expansion and lease reviews

Why Café and Restaurant Owners Trust Trinity

✅ We offer flexible after-hours and weekend support
✅ We work with food and beverage businesses Australia-wide
✅ We use cloud systems that sync with hospitality software
✅ We simplify GST, BAS, payroll, and award compliance
✅ We’ve supported clients since 2003 with practical advice

Let’s Grow Your Café or Restaurant Business

You're managing your team, stock, service, and operations — let us manage your books, BAS, and tax obligations so you can scale successfully.

👉 Trinity Accounting Practice
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
☎️ 02 9543 6804
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Book an appointment: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna