Data Story
Bow, a Thai restaurant owner in Hobart, Tasmania.
Background:
Bow has prepared everything to launch her Thai restaurant in Hobart — she has tested her dishes, found a space, and built her team.
But when it comes to government requirements, she feels completely lost. She barely understands the differences between federal, state, and local obligations, let alone the sequence in which they must be completed.
From registering for an ABN and GST to securing food premises approval, council permits, and ongoing compliance, the path forward is unclear.
Because she doesn’t know what she doesn’t know, Bow fears missing critical steps that could delay her opening, expose her to penalties, and erode the confidence she has worked so hard to build.
Goals:
Open her restaurant on time without surprises like missing permits or approvals
Confident that all requirements are ticked across all levels of government.
Frustrations:
“Every time I think I’m done, there’s another form or permit I never heard of.”
“I just want to cook and run my restaurant, not spend hours chasing paperwork.”
“I’m worried I’ll get fined or shut down without even realising I missed something.”
