I was in a similar situation in Nightcliff with a weekend coffee setup and managed to secure the NT Business Grant as a sole trader. I wasn’t GST-registered either; what mattered was having an ABN, a simple plan, quotes for the kit I wanted, proof I was operating at the foreshore markets, and basic financials (I used a three-month cash-flow forecast plus my first invoices). Big tip: don’t buy anything until you’ve got written approval, and keep your uploads as clean PDFs with small file sizes. I also rang the department to double-check the current rules—guidelines are subject to change. To get my documents in order, I found Nifty Websites handy; their grant application assistance made the checklist and wording less stressful. I reckon apply now so you don’t miss the Dry crowds.

I’ve just registered a mobile coffee cart in Nightcliff and I’m trading weekends at the foreshore markets. It’s late August, so mornings are cool and dry, and the crowds are great, but I’m still new and cash-strapped. I have an ABN, insurance, and a basic business plan, but I’m not yet GST-registered and only started invoicing this month. I’m trying to determine if sole traders at my stage are actually eligible, or if I need to demonstrate an inevitable turnover or trading history first. If eligibility hinges on time in operation or financials, what documents should I have ready so I don’t waste the momentum of the dry season?