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Discover business opportunities, services and resources for business owners. Call our Business Hotline for more information.

An office worker sitting at their desk while typing and taking a call on a headset.

Business Hotline 133 BNE

Council has a dedicated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week hotline to support businesses in Brisbane. 

Call 133 BNE (133 263) to access information on a range of topics including: 

  • food licensing, including food safety permits 
  • home businesses 
  • planning and development applications and advice 
  • business opportunities 
  • working with Council, including tenders and procurement 
  • permits for advertising, filming, events and other commercial activities.
Call the Business Hotline

Regulatory support to run a business

Council is committed to supporting Brisbane businesses. 

We provide a range of resources, services and opportunities for businesses at any level of growth.

Home-based business  

You may need planning approval to run a home-based business.

Pop-up shops

If you run a small business, a pop-up shop can help to showcase your product and find new customers.

Find out how to get started and what else to consider.

Food business 

Starting a food business? Make sure you have all the necessary licences and permits.

These licences and permits help to ensure the way food is handled and served is safe. 

Laws and permits 

Some businesses or commercial activities need specific permissions or approvals to operate, including: 

Discover more regulated activities and how to apply for permits.

Support programs

Council runs programs, workshops and forums to help local businesses develop, grow and thrive. 

We also host and support events, awards and initiatives that honour the contribution businesses make to the city's economy.

Business events

We offer a range of business events and workshops for local Brisbane businesses. Register for local business training and workshops. Find networking events to make new contacts.

See our upcoming events.

Business networks

Brisbane's business networks aim to provide connection and community for business owners in Brisbane. 

Discover local business networks and the benefits they can bring your business. 

Funding support

Council sponsorship can help community and business groups bring their proposals to life and create opportunities for our residents and visitors.

Examine the eligibility criteria and apply for sponsorship to get your idea off the ground.   

International opportunities

Our international business programs aim to improve international opportunities for Brisbane-based businesses.

Find out how your business can benefit, from trade missions to connecting with talented international tertiary students.

Maker Entrepreneurship program

Our Maker Entrepreneurship Program offers free business skills training to makers in Brisbane.

It supports independent, artisan and bespoke creators. This includes artists, designers, jewellers and woodworkers.

Learn more about the program’s eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Nighttime economy

From music venues to theatres, recreation to retail, our nighttime economy supports thousands of jobs and generates millions of dollars in revenue each year.

Council supports the growth of Brisbane’s nighttime economy by delivering initiatives and promoting all that the city and suburbs have to offer after dark.

Small businesses programs

We are committed to supporting small businesses to make business easier and maintain high service standards. 

Find out about our programs designed for small businesses in Brisbane, including self-assessable signage requirements. 

Vibrant and active precincts

Brisbane's business precincts are alive with shopping and dining opportunities.

As our city looks toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Council wants to promote these precincts and enhance their value for residents and visitors.

If you’re a business owner, you can access tools and resources to help attract customers to your local business precinct.

Youth entrepreneurship

Council is committed to boosting entrepreneurship within our economy and is investigating ways to retain future talent.

We'll be meeting with young people from across Brisbane to learn what support they need to start and run their own businesses.

We've met with representatives of organisations dedicated to youth entrepreneurship.

In May 2025, we also met with business-minded high school students to:

  • learn more about their business experiences
  • understand the type of support they need to pursue their future entrepreneurial endeavours
  • provide an opportunity to learn from other young entrepreneurs and build connections.

For more information, email Council. 

Brisbane Economic Development Agency

Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Council and is the city’s official economic development board.

BEDA’s role is to grow Brisbane’s economy, drive demand for our city, and create growth and trade opportunities for local businesses.

Find useful services

Showcase your business

Exhibit your work in the Local Business Showcase at our Suburban Business Hub. 

Learn more
Market stall holder at a Council event selling resin jewellery and bowls.

Recycling services

Simplify your business recycling with our tailored bin service. Estimate your fees, apply online and get recycling support.

Learn more
Woman recycling her laptop at a Council resource recovery centre.

Tree lighting

Check if you’re eligible and apply for a street tree lighting permit. Download guides on light installation and maintenance. 

Apply for a permit
Street tree bud lighting on East Street, Fortitude Valley.

Flooding support

Prepare your business for potential flooding and minimise damage. Plan ahead to reduce the impact of floods.

Find out more
Flooding in Fish Lane, Brisbane. Streets flooded with water reaching up to the ground floor of buildings

Pay a bill, fine or infringement

Settle your rates and renew your advertising signs licence. Pay a fine or set up recurring payments.

Make a payment
Man using a laptop at an outdoors table with a piece of paper in his left hand and mobile phone on table.

Venues for hire

Book an indoor or outdoor Council venue for your next corporate function, conference or product launch. 

Find a venue
Women looking at art exhibited at Richard Randall Art Studio, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.

Graffiti management

Get advice and information on dealing with graffiti. Contact the Taskforce Against Graffiti (TAG) on 07 3403 8888.

Call TAG
Man wearing yellow vest and protective mask cleaning graffiti from a wall.

Further support and resources

Join the Business in Brisbane Facebook group

Brisbane businesses can join our Business in Brisbane Facebook group to connect with like-minded people and keep up to date about opportunities and information for business.

Business in Brisbane newsletter

Stay up to date with Council's business resources and services with our Business in Brisbane newsletter.

Business in Brisbane has everything you need to know about running a business in Brisbane, including Council support, grants, opportunities and events. 

Read the latest edition of the Business in Brisbane e-newsletter and sign up to receive it monthly.

Subscribe to the newsletter

The print edition of Business in Brisbane is available quarterly from Council business hubs, libraries and ward offices.

The local economy

Council regularly gathers information about Brisbane’s economy, including important statistics and research. 

Check out key economic facts on population, resident labour force, projected jobs growth and more.

Community profiles

Community profiles provide the latest demographic, social and economic data about your chosen area.

Using community profiles can help you tailor strategies for your business and build better connections in your local community.

Discover how to create a community profile and how it can help you make informed decisions.

Online resources for business

The following government websites, government funded initiatives and other online resources provide useful information for Brisbane businesses.

  • Business Readiness Health Check
    This easy-to-use tool from the Queensland Government helps assess your new business idea, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You’ll get a personalized report with key insights and practical resources to support your business launch.
  • Business Launchpad
    This Queensland Government digital tool helps you understand the licences, permits, and regulations your business needs at the Local, State, and Federal levels.
  • Business Planning Resources
    The Queensland Government’s business planning resources make it easy to get your business on track. Learn how to create a business plan, write operational documents, and set goals with helpful videos, templates, and a webinar recording.
  • Data to understand your market and location
    Use Brisbane’s Community Profiles to access detailed statistics about local residents, workers, and businesses. These profiles are automatically generated with the latest demographic, social, and economic data.
  • Australian Tax Office
    Find information on tax issues, basics for small businesses, superannuation, record-keeping, and your business obligations.

  • IDCARE for Small Business
    Strengthen your cyber resilience with IDCARE, a not-for-profit offering free expert support to small businesses. Whether you're facing an incident, suspect phishing, or want to check your cyber health, IDCARE can help assess your needs or assist in recovery.
  • Cyber Wardens
    The free Cyber Wardens online course takes just 45 minutes and offers practical cyber safety solutions to protect your business. It’s an initiative by COSBOA, supported by the Australian Government, Telstra, CommBank, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
  • Scamwatch
    Scamwatch, run by the ACCC, provides information for small businesses and consumers on how to recognize, avoid, and report scams.

  • Develop a Business Continuity Plan
    The Queensland Government’s business continuity planning template helps you create a risk management, incident response, and recovery plan.
  • Business Insurance
    The Queensland Government offers information on insurance options to help manage risk and protect your business from loss.
  • Business Security Assessment Guide
    The Queensland Police Service’s Business Security Assessment Guide helps you review your business security and identify risks. Complete the template yourself or request an on-site assessment.
  • Plan for a network outage
    The Australian Government offers tips to help prepare your business for unexpected outages due to emergencies or network faults.

  • Sustainable Business Hub
    The Brisbane Sustainability Agency offers resources and exclusive deals to help reduce costs and environmental impact.
  • Reducing business waste
    Council's business recycling program offers cost-effective waste management solutions, saving time and money while reducing landfill waste. Local businesses with fewer than 100 employees get free access to the ASPIRE waste exchange platform.

Business initiatives and proposals

Great ideas shouldn’t wait for a tender. We're open to collaborating on proposals that make Brisbane even better. 

Submit a proposal to Council if you have an innovative and original idea that:

  • solves a problem
  • addresses an opportunity for Brisbane 
  • enhances our services. 

Our Better Brisbane initiative accepts market-led proposals that:

  • represent value for money
  • contribute to the Brisbane Vision 2031.

Learn more about Better Brisbane proposals to find out how to submit.