Australia Government Support for Small Business
Includes a UN-Award-Winning E-government Initiative
Much of Australian government support for small business is rendered through business.gov.au website, an initiative started in 1998 by the Australian government as a 'one-stop-shop for business information and advice, providing a range of practical information from starting up to growing a business.' It also provides a range of business tools, such as ABN Lookup and Transaction Manager, which cuts red tape and speeds up transactions.'
The business.gov.au website has been awarded the 2006 United Nations Public Service Award in the category of Application of information and communication technology (ICT) in Government: e-government.
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What Does the Government Business Website Provide?
How-to Guides
Practical information and advice under three sections:
- Thinking of Starting a Business: This section helps those planning to start their own business. They are led through a series of articles and checklists to prepare them for jumping into a business venture, including self-examination to see whether they are really ready for a business journey. The section also tells the would-be entrepreneurs what advice and support they can expect and from where.
- Starting a Business: Once you have decided to set up a business of your own, you need to attend to a lot of things like getting needed licenses and permits, developing a marketing plan, organising required finances and registering your business for tax and other purposes. This section helps you with these essentials.
- Exiting a Business: Much as you might wish to keep running your business for ever, there might come a time when you have to get out. How best to do this is the topic discussed in this section. Just closing down your business is not the only option; you can develop a succession plan to keep the business going or sell it, for example.
Online Services
Businesspersons can work online with the government easily:
- Business Consultation: Businesspersons and others like associations can work with the government to help develop policies and regulations that help reduce red tape using the Business Consultation website.
- ABN Lookup: Most businesses have to get an Australian Business Number - ABN - and ABN look up provides access to publicly available information about businesses. You can search a business by its ABN, ACN or name.
- Apply for ABN: You can apply online for an ABN, or other things like TFN (tax file number), GST (goods and services tax) and PAYG (pay as you go tax withholding).
- Government Forms: There are forms and forms at all levels of government, federal, state and local council. You can find, manage and complete the forms online. You can even find forms by your occupation.
- News Updates: You can receive business news and updates by email if you register here. These can relate to federal, state or territory, and you can also specify the topic of your interest.
Resources
You can easily access different resources provided by Australian government for businesspersons, such as downloads, checklists, directories, events calendar and so on.
Business Enterprise Centres
Business Enterprise Centres - BEC - are community based organisations in city and country areas throughout Australia. They provide consultancy services, referrals to competent professionals, business and training workshops and other practical help.
You can find a BEC near you by visiting BEC Website.
Other Government Business Agencies
There are other government agencies that can provide help to your particular business. The following is not an exhaustive list. You might learn about others if you ask around, such as your job assistance centre.
- Business Licence Information Service: A free service that provides details of all licences you may require to carry on your business in Australia.
- Indigenous Business Australia: IBA seeks to create "opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities to build assets and wealth".
- AusIndustry: This is an agency that delivers products, services and information to support innovation, industry, science and research.
Return to Section Main Page The Economic Scenario for Small Business in Australia
Capitalizing On Being Woman Owned provides practical information and guidance on:
- Knowing the advantages of being woman owned.
- Identifying, qualifying and marketing to all types of government, educational and business entities.
- Understanding the reasons and benefits of "certification"
- Finding real resources and using them effectively.
- Using research and analysis tools, including web site addresses.
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