Business assistance sources

Call Business Direct on 132 772 or Country Business Direct on 1300 134 979

Nationwide sources of business assistance

A number of government and privately funded organisations provide business services and advice to help you start or grow your business.

Click on the map of Australia for information about sources in your state.

ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | VIC | SA | TAS | WA

What these organisations offer

Access to government programs that may be of assistance to your business
Advice from experts (some business advisers offer their services free of charge)
Low cost services such as a training course on Business Planning and other relevant topics that help you improve your business skills
Opportunities to promote your business at networking functions
The chance to exchange ideas with other business people

Commonwealth government services

ACCC Small Business Program
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) helps businesses to be aware of their responsibilities under the Trade Practices Act to minimise the risk of being taken to court by competitors, suppliers or customers for breaching the Act.

Australian Government Initiatives and Contacts for Small Business
This compendium lists summaries of, and contact details for, federal government assistance mechanisms that may be able to help your business grow and prosper.

Business Entry Point (BEP)
The Business Entry Point web site contains information and transactions relating to a broad range of business life-cycle activities. The site provides information drawn from other federal, state, territory and local government web sites and includes a tool that helps businesses to find and manage government transactions. The Business Entry Point is a free service.

Indigenous Business Australia
IBA was established to assist and enhance Indigenous self-management and economic self-sufficiency. IBA invests directly in business opportunities, usually through joint venture arrangements with expert industry partners.

INDUSTRY TECHLINK
INDUSTRY TECHLINK is a national free advisory service set up to help small and medium size enterprise owners and managers make decisions about new and innovative technologies for their businesses. INDUSTRY TECHLINK allows small and medium size enterprise owners to talk to a technology consultant who can help them to identify their technology needs and improve their profits.

INDUSTRY LINK has a national freecall number which operates 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Ph: 1800 111 485.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
NEIS assists eligible unemployed people to establish commercially viable new businesses through a comprehensive package of assistance. Assistance includes training in small business management, business skills and business plan development; NEIS Allowance for up to 52 weeks following training, equivalent to the basic adult rate of Newstart Allowance; and business advice and mentor support during the first year of business operation.

Small Business Answers Program
Small Business Answers is a competitive grants program providing financial grants to organisations to deliver advisory services to small business owners, particularly in regional areas. AusIndustry provides industry assistance to business.

Small Business Enterprise Culture Program (SBECP)
The Small Business Enterprise Culture Program aims to develop and enhance the business skills of small business owner-managers and demonstrate the contribution that such skills can make to business viability and growth.

Small Business Incubator Program (SBIP)
The Small Business Incubator Program provides funding to not-for-profit organisations to help meet the infrastructure and set-up costs of new small business incubators. Smaller amounts are also provided for feasability studies and to existing incubators for enhancements. Small business incubators assist start-up and developing new businesses by providing shared premises and business services, as well as intensive business advice and support.

Tenant businesses are provided with an initial place of operation and a supportive environment in which to grow their business, before graduating into the wider business community. AusIndustry provides industry assistance to business.

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