ModernEdu
CoursesCareer GuidesTestimonials
Sign in
Business & Entrepreneurship · Certificate

Start Your Business the Right Way
In Australia

You have a great idea, but the next steps can feel confusing. This course gives you a clear plan, covering everything from registering your ABN and managing finances to finding customers and building a brand.

See what you’ll learn
Free first lesson
Or enrol on the spot
Rated 5 by our students
From $25
Per Week
ICOES + CPD
Endorsed Certificate
14-Day
Money-Back Guarantee
100%
Online, Self-Paced
24/7
AI Tutor
Career outcomes

Upskill. Side Hustle. New Career.

Whatever you are here for, this certificate leads straight to real roles:

Small Business Owner
Operations Coordinator
Office Manager
Business Administration Officer
Team Leader
Project Coordinator
Curriculum

What You’ll Learn.

5 modules · 50 lessons · Study at your own pace

01Welcome & IntroductionFree
02Is Small Business Right for You? Self-Assessment and Mindset
03Business Structures: Sole Trader, Partnership, Company, and Trust
04Registering Your Business: ABN, Business Name, and Licences
05Writing a Business Plan That Actually Works
06Choosing Your Market: Research, Validation, and Niche Selection
07Funding Your Business: Savings, Loans, Grants, and Investors
08Setting Up Your Workspace: Home Office, Retail, or Online
09Insurance for Small Business: What You Need and What You Don't
10Legal Basics: Contracts, Terms of Trade, and Consumer Law
11Your First 90 Days: Launch Priorities and Quick Wins
Included with your course

Your 24/7 AI Tutor.

It knows where you are

Your tutor sees the lesson you are on and what you have covered, so every answer fits your progress.

Explains Until You Get It

Confused by a concept? Ask for a simpler take, a real-world example, or a quick quiz to test yourself.

There at 11pm

Study when it suits you. Your tutor is available around the clock, every day of your enrolment.

Inside this course · Your tutor
I'm just starting out by myself. Should I register as a sole trader or a company? I don't really get the difference for tax.
That's a very common question. A sole trader structure is the simplest way to start. Your business and personal legal identity are the same, and you pay tax at individual income rates. A company is a separate legal entity, which offers more protection but has more complex tax rules. This is a key decision. Would you like me to explain the liability and tax differences in more detail?
ModernEdu
This certifies that
Charlotte Reeve
has successfully completed the
Certificate in Small Business Management
Issued by Modern Education Australia
Certificate No. ME-2026-04871
Verify at modernedu.com.au/verify
Your certificate

Proof of What You Know.

Endorsed

Endorsed by ICOES, the International Council for Online Educational Standards, and CPD-eligible.

Verifiable online

Every certificate carries a unique number an employer or client can verify on our site in seconds.

Made to share

A printed hard copy is included with upfront enrolment, and a digital version for LinkedIn and your CV.

Student reviews

What People Are Saying.

5 average rating

Set up a plant styling business, and maintain it too

The content was clear and practical — including the set-up of a plant styling business, and ongoing maintenance too.

Emily P. · Verified student

The financial part of the business

Learning about the financial part of the business.

Kristine S. · Verified student

The first weeks are the foundation, not a warm-up

The first weeks in the home are not a warm-up phase, they are the foundation. The guidance we give owners during this window can prevent months of remedial work later, making early intervention one of the most powerful tools we have as trainers.

Gaylene D. · Verified student
What you get

Everything Included.

In this course

50 lessons across 5 modules, read, listen, or watch every one
Your 24/7 AI tutor, built into every lesson
Assessments and your ICOES-endorsed, CPD-eligible certificate
12 months access, with extensions available on request

As a Modern Edu student

Student discount on any additional course
Printed hard-copy edition of your course
More student extras on the way
How it works

Four Steps to Your Certificate.

01

Try It Free

Start lesson 1 right now, free. See the course and meet your tutor before paying anything.

02

Enrol Easily

Pick the option that suits you. Every option is covered by the 14-day guarantee.

03

Make Real Progress

Read, listen, or watch each lesson. Go at your own pace with your tutor beside you.

04

Get Your Certificate

Pass your assessments and receive your endorsed, verifiable certificate.

Enrolment

Easy Ways to Get Started.

Try the first lesson free. When you are ready, split it into four with Afterpay or Klarna, save $140 upfront, or take the simple weekly plan.

Start Here · No Card Needed
Free first lesson
Start lesson 1 right now and meet your AI tutor. See exactly how the course works before you decide anything.
No card. No commitment. Your progress carries over when you enrol.
When you are ready to enrol
Recommended · Split Into Four
$139.75 ×4
Afterpay or Klarna covers the $559 upfront price for you. You get every upfront bonus and the $140 saving, then repay in four fortnightly amounts. Nothing more after that.
A second course free, your choice
Printed edition of your course included
Save $140 compared with the weekly plan
Continue With Afterpay or Klarna
Four interest-free payments of $139.75 for approved applicants. Late fees may apply.
Upfront · Save $140
$559
One payment by card if you would rather settle it in one go. Same bonuses: second course free and the printed edition.
CardAfterpayKlarna
Enrol Upfront for $559
Afterpay and Klarna split $559 into 4 payments of $139.75.
Weekly Payment Plan
$25 /week
28 weekly payments · $700 total
Upfront bonuses not included.
Start the Weekly Plan
Visa · Mastercard · Amex · Afterpay · Klarna accepted.    14-day guarantee
Not sure yet?
Before you enrol

Is It Right for You?

This course is for you if

You have a business idea and want a clear plan to launch it in Australia.
You're running a side-hustle and want to turn it into a full-time, properly registered business.
You need practical skills in marketing, finance, and operations for a small business.
You are a new business owner feeling overwhelmed and need a structured guide.

It is probably not for you if

You need a formal, nationally recognised qualification like a Diploma. You should look at a TAFE or other RTO.
You are planning to build a large startup and seek venture capital funding.
You need specific, individualised legal or financial advice for your situation.
You are looking for a passive investment and do not want to run a business day-to-day.

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Try the full course for two weeks. If it is not for you, we refund you in full. No questions asked, no conditions.

More from students

“I love that it has different ways to learn! I'll keep learning about each flower's conditioning needs — I feel I've learnt so much already.”

Tammie O. · Verified student

“Very informative, and I like the focus on clients. It's better to give advice in small segments — just as we do with our dogs. Small steps.”

John H. · Verified student

“Real world responses — wow. The laws, and what it means to run a facility, is an eye opener. Even the less-common-pets section was eye opening — rabbits are illegal to keep as pets here in Queensland!”

Lee P. · Verified student
Good to know

Common Questions.

Who is this course designed for?+
This course is built for anyone thinking about starting or growing a small business in Australia. Whether you are still weighing up whether self-employment suits you, already trading as a sole trader, or managing a small team, the content is practical and grounded in how Australian businesses work. No prior business experience is needed.
What topics does the course cover?+
The course covers the full life of a small business, from registering your ABN and writing a business plan, through to marketing, cash flow, hiring, employment law, and exit strategies. There are 50 lessons across 5 modules, including dedicated lessons on GST and BAS obligations, pricing strategies, and building systems so your business can run without you.
How long does the course take to complete?+
The course is designed around 116 hours of study. If you want to move faster, the fast-track option covers the core content in around 10 hours. Most students find it useful to work through lessons at their own pace and revisit areas that apply to where their business is right now.
Do I need any prior knowledge to start?+
No prior knowledge is needed. The first lesson walks you through a self-assessment to help you figure out whether small business is the right path for you. From there, the course builds progressively, so you can start from scratch or skip ahead to the topics most relevant to you.
How is this different from watching free videos online?+
Free videos can be useful, but they rarely connect the dots between topics. This course gives you a structured path from business planning through to growth and risk management, with each lesson building on the last. The AI tutor is also built into every lesson, so you can ask questions, test your understanding, and get explanations that are relevant to your situation.
What certificate will I receive?+
You will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Modern Education Australia. This is not a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The course is ICOES-accredited by the International Council for Online Educational Standards, and the certificate is verifiable through the ICOES website. It is a professional development credential suited to adding to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Start With a Free Lesson.

Start with the free first lesson, or enrol on the spot from $25 a week.

ModernEdu
Online certificate courses with an AI tutor built in. Study from anywhere in Australia.
Courses
All coursesBusiness & EntrepreneurshipPopular courses
Company
About usTestimonialsContact
Support
FAQRefund policyVerify a certificate
© 2026 Modern Education AustraliaPrivacy · Terms · Refunds
Certificate in Small Business Management
First lesson free · $25/week · 14-day guarantee