Hey Yael

All the best in starting up your business!

I started my private practice about 18 months ago...best thing I ever did!!!

I can't answer most of your questions...but I did find the Small Business Development Corporation (google it to get the website), to be a great starting point....it's WA based but I'm sure there would be an equivalent in Victoria...

Regarding GST, you need to be making $50000+ to have to register...in my profession (because it's a therapy - Speech Pathology), there is no GST charged for therapy services...I only registered as I spent alot of money on setup of the business and wanted to be able to get some of the GST back...it's a pain doing the business activity statements, but I'm slowly getting my head around them!

I definitely found having an accountant to be a huge asset...it cost me about $500 to get my tax done this year...but it was worth every cent...they know all the rules regarding depreciations, tax deductions, etc...which are so so important!!!

Wishing you all the best!