AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT) TRADER SETUP BLUEPRINT

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT) — TRADER SETUP BLUEPRINT (Guide 2 — State Edition) 1. ACT — Trader Setup Blueprint Introduction This chapter compiles neutral, publicly available information relevant to traders operating at markets and events in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It summarises typical considerations around pricing, packing, POS, branding, hardware, logistics, and high-level compliance awareness, using ACT Government and national small-business resources. It does not provide legal advice, does not tell traders what they should charge, and does not specify which licences or permits they must obtain. It focuses on the kinds of questions stallholders commonly ask and the patterns described in public information. 2. Pricing & Cost Logic (ACT Context) National small-business resources (e.g. business.gov.au) outline general approaches to costing and pricing for small enterprises, including market stalls. These include cost-plus thinking, understanding start-up and running costs, and choosing an appropriate pricing strategy.Business.gov.au+4Business.gov.au+4Business.gov.au+4 Cost Awareness & Inputs Questions ACT traders typically ask themselves: What is my per-unit cost (materials/ingredients, packaging, labels, labour allocation)? What are my one-off costs (marquee, tables, signage, initial POS device) versus ongoing costs (stall fees, fuel, POS fees, consumables)? How much stock can I realistically sell in a typical Canberra market session? Common cost categories: Stall fees and any powered-site surcharges Stock cost, including spoilage/wastage for perishable items POS device and per-transaction fees Transport and parking Time spent on setup, trading, packdown, admin, and follow-up Stall Fees & Event Profile ACT markets and community events (e.g. Old Bus Depot Markets, community festivals) often publish stall fees and conditions on their websites or in stallholder terms. These may include: Standard stall fee Food stall or powered-site surcharge Community/non-profit rates Conditions on minimum public liability cover (e.g. Old Bus Depot Markets references $20 million public liability as a requirement).Old Bus Depot Market+1 Questions to ask: How does this specific fee affect my break-even point for the day? Does the event attract local families, tourists, or niche communities, and does that match my price points? Is it a one-off festival or a recurring market where I could amortise equipment costs over multiple dates? POS Fees & Margin National POS information usually sets out: Per-transaction fees (percentage and/or fixed fee) Possible monthly fees Hardware or terminal purchase/rental cost Questions traders consider: At my expected average sale value, how much does each POS fee reduce my margin? Is my pricing simple enough that customers quickly understand the total cost (aligned with display-price guidance)?Business.gov.au+1 Travel, Time & ACT Geography The ACT is geographically compact but traders may still factor in: Travel from suburbs/nearby NSW towns into central Canberra Parking costs or time-limited zones near some events Load-in/load-out windows specified by organisers Questions to ask: How early do I need to arrive to meet bump-in requirements? Is parking close enough for repeated trips with tubs and marquees? Entry-Level Pricing Approaches (Descriptive Only) business.gov.au outlines common pricing strategies such as cost-plus, value-based, premium, and penetration pricing.Business.gov.au+1 Across stallholder blogs and generic guides, you often see: Rounded price points Bundles (e.g. multiple items for a fixed amount) Clear “hero” price tiers These are described here as common public patterns, not as recommendations. 3. Packing Kit (Full Checklist) This checklist draws from national stallholder checklists, market blogs, and operator examples (including ACT market terms) and is adjusted for typical ACT climate (cold mornings, hot afternoons, indoor and outdoor events). Core Stall Infrastructure Marquee or gazebo (if outdoors and allowed) Marquee weights (often a condition for outdoor events) Folding tables Weather-resistant tablecloths Floor mat or tarp (for comfort and presentation) POS & Money Handling Card reader and/or smartphone tap-to-pay setup Mobile phone, fully charged Power banks (at least one, preferably two) Charging cables Cash float (small notes and coins) Lockable cash box or waist pouch Display & Merchandising Tiered shelving and risers Baskets, crates, and stands Product information cards (materials, ingredients, care, sizing) Clear, durable price tags Mirrors (for jewellery, accessories, apparel) Lighting Battery-powered LED clip-on or strip lights (useful for indoor halls or evening events) Extra batteries or power bank dedicated to lights Clamps or hooks for attaching lights to marquees or frames Branding Materials Main stall banner with business name Logo signage Business cards, postcards, or brochures QR codes for website and social profiles Weather & Comfort (ACT Conditions) Warm layers for cold mornings; lighter layers for afternoon Sunscreen and hat for outdoor events Water bottles and snacks Sidewalls or tarps for wind or light rain Extra marquee weights or tie-downs in windy conditions Tools & Repair Kit Gaffer and packing tape Zip ties and rope/cord Scissors and utility knife Spare hooks, clips, pegs Product-specific repair items (e.g. jewellery tools, needle and thread, glue) Hygiene & Safety Hand sanitiser Wipes or paper towel Waste and recycling bags Gloves (for food handling or particular products, where appropriate) Storage & Transport Stackable plastic tubs with lids Foldable trolley Bungee cords/straps Simple labelling system (e.g. “Display”, “Stock”, “POS & Tools”) 4. POS Options (Neutral Overview) A neutral overview of major POS categories used in Australia. Smartphone Tap-to-Pay Accepts contactless payments directly on a smartphone using an app. Considerations: Reliance on mobile coverage and phone battery Screen visibility under bright outdoor conditions Typically digital receipts Card Reader + App Compact card reader paired via Bluetooth with smartphone/tablet. Considerations: Transaction fee model Keeping both phone and reader charged Bluetooth stability at busy, RF-noisy events All-in-One Terminals Integrated screen and card reader in one device. Considerations: Upfront cost or ongoing subscription Potential offline modes (varies by provider) Suitability for high-volume trading days Connectivity Considerations in ACT Although the ACT is relatively well covered, traders still ask: Does the venue/event site have reliable mobile coverage indoors and outdoors? Is Wi-Fi provided by the organiser, and is it stable? Does my POS app have an offline or “store and forward” function that I understand how to use? 5. Branding, Signage & Layout Draws on national small-business creative resources applied in a neutral way. Layout Principles Hero products positioned at eye level Use depth and height (shelves, risers) rather than a flat table Clear entrance and browsing flow Keep packaging and personal items out of the main view where possible Signage Business name visible from several metres away Clear price signage for each product group Weather and wear-resistant materials (laminated or rigid boards) Simple fonts, contrasting colours, minimum cluttered text Lighting Light key areas of the display (e.g. centre table, feature products) Avoid shining lights directly into customer eyes For indoor venues (e.g. exhibition halls), ensure lighting is strong enough to see colours and detail accurately Colour & Consistency Repeated colour palette and logo across tablecloths, cards, tags and banners Consistent fonts and logo treatment in all materials Customer Flow & Engagement Avoid blocking the front with a continuous wall of product; consider L-shaped or U-shaped layouts Create a clear “pay here” area if space permits Maintain visibility as the trader so customers know who to approach 6. Hardware & Logistics Reflects patterns from operator conditions (e.g. community markets, Old Bus Depot Markets) and stallholder blogs. Hardware Solid marquee frame with adequate weights for outdoor sites Foldable racks for garments, textiles or hanging items Stable shelving units that can withstand repeated assembly and public use Weather-proof tubs designed for transport Vehicle Packing Pack items so marquee and tables are accessible immediately on arrival Keep a dedicated tools/POS tub near the vehicle door For multi-day or multi-event weekends, plan packing so that stock for day two is separated and clearly labelled Lighting & Power Two sets of battery or power banks (one primary, one backup) All lights tested fully charged before an event Confirm with organiser if mains power is available and, if so, any electrical safety conditions that apply 7. Common Mistakes to Avoid Based on recurring observations in stallholder articles and market terms, presented neutrally: Selecting events solely on attendance numbers without considering whether attendees match the product type and price level Unclear or missing price tags, leading to uncertainty for customers Overcrowded displays that hide key products Insufficient stock for busy seasonal or festival events Trading without card payment options where card use is prevalent Not gathering emails or social handles for ongoing contact Insufficient preparation for ACT’s variable weather (cold mornings, hot afternoons, wind, or rain) Late arrival and rushed setup Limited or unclear story about the product’s origin, quality, or uniqueness 8. Compliance Notes (High-Level Only) This section is not legal advice. It summarises themes from ACT Government resources about food businesses, market stalls, and events. Traders must always confirm details with Access Canberra, ACT Health, the specific event organiser, and any relevant local or territory authorities. Food Businesses & Market Stalls (If Selling Food) ACT Government information describes: If you sell food to the public, you may need to register your food business with the ACT Health Protection Service via Access Canberra before operating.ACT Government+3Access Canberra+3ACT Government+3 There are specific pages for “selling food at an event” and “food safety for market stalls” detailing operational requirements.ACT Government+3ACT Government+3ACT Government+3 The ACT provides step-by-step guidance on starting a food business, including understanding responsibilities and regulations.ACT Government+1 These resources outline topics such as: Registration pathways for food businesses Food safety expectations for market stalls and declared events Hand-washing, temperature control, and contamination prevention at market stallsACT Government+2ACT Government+2 Traders should review these official pages and, where relevant, complete any required registrations much earlier than event dates. Food Safety for Market Stalls (ACT-Specific) The ACT Government provides specific pages on: Food safety for market stalls Food safety for food stalls at declared events These cover matters such as stall layout, hand-washing facilities, temperature control, and other operational expectations.National Library of Australia+3ACT Government+3ACT Government+3 Traders generally: Identify which category their activity falls into (e.g. temporary stall, home-based food business selling at markets)ACT Government+1 Follow the ACT Government process for registration or notification, if required Event Planning & Approvals (For Organisers and Larger Activations) Access Canberra publishes materials on: Getting help to plan an event or film on ACT Government land, including permits, approvals and advice.Access Canberra+1 While this primarily targets organisers rather than individual stallholders, traders may wish to understand: How large events are coordinated Which approvals organisers are expected to secure Insurance Awareness Event-specific documentation for ACT markets and festivals often states: Stallholders must hold their own public liability insurance, and may need to supply a certificate of currency as a condition of participation.Old Bus Depot Market+2Communities at Work+2 This is usually a condition set by the organiser, not by generic ACT Government guidance for all businesses, so traders must: Check event stallholder terms and conditions carefully Seek professional insurance advice if needed (outside the scope of this guide) General Reminder In line with business.gov.au and ACT Government phrasing, the key high-level approach is: “Check with Access Canberra, ACT Health, the event organiser, and any relevant local authorities to understand what applies to your stall.”Business.gov.au+3ACT Government+3ACT Government+3 9. Official Links for This State (Government Sources Only) ACT Government — Food Safety & Food Businesses Food safety for businesses (ACT Government) https://www.act.gov.au/business/food-safety-for-businesses ACT Government Food safety for market stalls (ACT Government) https://www.act.gov.au/business/food-safety-for-businesses/food-safety-for-market-stalls ACT Government Food safety for food stalls at declared events (ACT Government) https://www.act.gov.au/business/food-safety-for-businesses/food-safety-for-market-stalls/food-safety-for-food-stalls-at-declared-events ACT Government Start a food business (ACT Government) https://www.act.gov.au/business/start-a-food-a-business ACT Government Register a food business (Access Canberra) https://www.act.gov.au/business/health-licenses-and-inspections/food-businesses-and-events-registration/register-a-food-business ACT Government+1 Selling food at an event (ACT Government) https://www.act.gov.au/business/health-licenses-and-inspections/food-businesses-and-events-registration/selling-food-at-an-event ACT Government Selling food from a home-based business (ACT Government) https://www.act.gov.au/business/health-licenses-and-inspections/food-businesses-and-events-registration/selling-food-from-a-home-based-business ACT Government ACT Government — Events & Approvals Get help to plan an event or film in the ACT (Access Canberra) https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/business-and-work/hospitality-liquor-and-gaming/get-help-to-plan-an-event-or-film-in-the-act Access Canberra National / Federal Government (General Market Stall & Food Safety Context) Set up a market stall (business.gov.au) https://business.gov.au/planning/business-structures-and-types/set-up-a-market-stall Business.gov.au Choose a pricing strategy (business.gov.au) https://business.gov.au/products-and-services/choose-a-pricing-strategy Business.gov.au Calculate the start-up costs of your business (business.gov.au) https://business.gov.au/planning/new-businesses/calculate-the-start-up-costs-of-your-business Business.gov.au+1 Tools and templates finder (business.gov.au) https://business.gov.au/tools-and-templates Business.gov.au Temporary food premises (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/temporary-food-premises Food Standards Australia New Zealand+1 (All of the above are official government or statutory authority websites.) Reference Library — Full List of Verified Links (ACT Edition Only) Government — ACT (Food & Events) https://www.act.gov.au/business/food-safety-for-businesses https://www.act.gov.au/business/food-safety-for-businesses/food-safety-for-market-stalls https://www.act.gov.au/business/food-safety-for-businesses/food-safety-for-market-stalls/food-safety-for-food-stalls-at-declared-events https://www.act.gov.au/business/start-a-food-a-business https://www.act.gov.au/business/health-licenses-and-inspections/food-businesses-and-events-registration/register-a-food-business https://www.act.gov.au/business/health-licenses-and-inspections/food-businesses-and-events-registration/selling-food-at-an-event https://www.act.gov.au/business/health-licenses-and-inspections/food-businesses-and-events-registration/selling-food-from-a-home-based-business https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/business-and-work/hospitality-liquor-and-gaming/get-help-to-plan-an-event-or-film-in-the-act Government — National / Federal https://business.gov.au/planning/business-structures-and-types/set-up-a-market-stall https://business.gov.au/products-and-services/choose-a-pricing-strategy https://business.gov.au/planning/new-businesses/calculate-the-start-up-costs-of-your-business https://business.gov.au/tools-and-templates https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/temporary-food-premises