Free business plan template
Plan your business on one page, or go into more detail. Download the free, editable PDF templates and fill them in section by section.
Last updated: October, 2026
Download the business plan template
Fill out the form for a downloadable business plan template. Your business plan doc is available as an editable pdf to use again and again.
How to fill in the editable templates
Use the one-page plan for a quick, focused start, or the multi-page plan for more detail. Both are editable PDFs with a prompt in each section, so you can write as you go and update your plan whenever things change.
- Choose one-page or multi-page in the form below and download your free PDF.
- Read the prompt in each section before you start.
- Replace the prompt text with your own, in short, plain sentences.
- Save your copy and update it as your business grows.
Want more depth?
Try the multi-page template, or read our guide on how to write a business plan.
Learn how to write a business plan
Business details and structure
Start with the basics: your business name, what you do and how the business is set up. Your structure affects your tax obligations and how much personal risk you carry, so state the one you've chosen.
- You'll usually need an Australian Business Number (ABN), an 11-digit number you get through the Australian Business Register. You may also need other registrations, depending on your business.
- A company also needs a 9-digit Australian Company Number (ACN) from ASIC, which it gets when it registers and before it applies for an ABN.
You can change your structure later. A registered tax agent can help you pick the right one for your situation.
Market and competitor analysis
Show who your customers are and why they'll choose you. Describe your target market and what it needs, then name your main competitors and explain how your business stands apart from each. Both templates have a section for this.
A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis is a quick way to compare yourself with competitors.
Goals and objectives
Set out where you want the business to be in 12 months and beyond. Make each goal measurable and give it a date, for example, "Reach $120,000 in sales by 30/06/2028".
Set dates in Milestones and check progress every few months. The multi-page template also has Progress reporting.
Products and services
Describe what you sell and how you'll price it. Explain the problem each product or service solves for your customers and why it's better value than the options they use now.
A clear value proposition sums up in a sentence or two why customers should buy from you.
Marketing and sales
Explain how customers will find you and how you'll turn their interest into sales. List the channels you plan to use, such as social media or email, and set a budget for each.
Link each channel to a goal so you can see which ones bring in paying customers.
Operations and team
Cover how the business runs day to day, including your premises, suppliers, equipment and opening hours. Add the skills you and your team bring, plus any roles you plan to hire for. Both templates have a Team section; add operations to your overview.
Note who is responsible for each task, so staff, lenders and investors can see how the work gets done.
Financial projections and GST
Estimate your income and costs in Australian dollars for at least your first year, and show when you expect to break even. Include goods and services tax (GST) in your planning, because under Australian Taxation Office (ATO) rules:
- registration is compulsory once your GST turnover reaches $75,000 or more, or $150,000 for non-profits
- GST turnover is your gross business income excluding GST, and it includes what you expect to earn this month and over the next 11 months
- you have 21 days to register once you reach the threshold
If your forecast passes $75,000, build GST into your pricing and cash flow from the start.
Risk management and legal considerations
According to business.gov.au, a business plan helps you identify possible risks and manage them. List the main risks to your business and what you'll do if each one happens, such as losing a major customer or a slow month that squeezes your cash flow.
- Record the registrations your business holds, such as your ABN and GST, and note the owner's legal responsibilities under your structure.
Your accountant or a registered tax agent can help you check which obligations apply to your business.
Using your plan for a bank loan or finance
When you apply for a bank loan or other finance, your plan shows a lender how much you need and how you'll repay it. Put your financial projections up front and keep the figures consistent across every section. Update your projections before each application so the figures match your latest results.
The free Grants and programs finder on business.gov.au lets you search for grants, funding and support from across government.
Search the business.gov.au grants finder
Put your business plan to work with Xero
Your plan sets the targets. Upgrade to Xero accounting software to track them: bank feeds bring in your transactions and reports show how you're going against each target.
Reports that show where you stand
Compare your actual income and costs with the targets in your plan.
Cash flow forecasts
Look ahead at money coming in and going out, so you can plan with confidence.
Bank feeds with help from JAX
Transactions flow in from your bank and JAX (in beta) reconciles them where there's high confidence.
Work with your advisor in real time
Share live figures with your accountant or bookkeeper, with unlimited general users at no extra cost.
Free business plan template vs Xero accounting software
| Free template | Xero Accounting Software | |
|---|---|---|
| Forecast your income and costs | ||
| Bring in transactions automatically with bank feeds | ||
| Send quotes and invoices with automated reminders | ||
| Track performance with real-time reports | ||
| Get quick answers about your finances from JAX | ||
| Work with your accountant on the same live data | ||
| Connect more than 1,000 apps |
FAQs on business plan templates
The best template is one you'll finish and keep up to date. A free one-page PDF gets your ideas down fast, and you can add detail when a lender or investor asks for it.
The best template is one you'll finish and keep up to date. A free one-page PDF gets your ideas down fast, and you can add detail when a lender or investor asks for it.
Keep each section to a few short sentences written in plain language, and use real numbers wherever you have them. For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our guide on how to write a business plan.
Keep each section to a few short sentences written in plain language, and use real numbers wherever you have them. For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our guide on how to write a business plan.
Each lender sets its own requirements, so ask yours what it expects to see. Having a plan ready means you can answer questions about your numbers and goals straight away.
Each lender sets its own requirements, so ask yours what it expects to see. Having a plan ready means you can answer questions about your numbers and goals straight away.
Yes. The template is an editable PDF, so you can tailor each section to your business and update it as things change.
Yes. The template is an editable PDF, so you can tailor each section to your business and update it as things change.
More help to plan and fund your business
Track your business plan with Xero
Keep your goals and your numbers together. See how your business tracks against your plan with Xero accounting software.
Disclaimer
Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.