Small Business Advisory Centres
Each State and Territory has Small Business Advisory Centres. These centres provide 'Starting Your Own Business' workshops for a small fee. The workshops are generally of 3 hours duration and provide the necessary introductory information to enable the client to decide whether they wish to proceed with their small business proposal.
Contact details for these services either through Commonwealth or State Government resourced agencies are available in the Government listings in the White Pages.
Small Business Advisory Centres also provide a range of other services for people starting in business. This includes:
- information about licence requirements;
- Government and local business assistance programs;
- local businesses providing services to business;
- referrals and introductions to experts in particular fields;
- details of business education courses;
- seminars on current business issues;
- employment assistance programs; and
- books and computer software packages for business management.
Specific information fact sheets are also available about:
- Planning to start a business;
- Starting your own business;
- Business Names;
- Partnerships;
- Proprietary companies;
- Insurance;
- How an accountant can help you manage your business;
- Using your home as business premises; and
- Choosing a business structure.
Self-Employment Assistance
Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. The program allows you to choose the level of support that meets your needs and the needs of your small business. Further information is available at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations - Support for self-employment page.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides information on:
- Business Taxes;
- Record keeping;
- Claiming Deductions; and
- Employer obligations.
The ATO also provide a range of free services including fortnightly run seminars, personal visits and quarterly newsletters to assist people already in or commencing a new business.
For more information, please refer to the ATO's Starting your business website.
Small Business Management
TAFE colleges also run courses of 10 – 18 weeks duration in all aspects of Small Business Management.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) operate a small business advisory service, including a helpline.
The following link is to the ACCC small business website.