Message from Susan Templeman MP
Small business owners work hard and are passionate about their product, their service and the community the work in.
I spent 25 years in my own small business and grew up in my Dad’s shop, so I understand the pressures and sacrifices as well as the contribution that small business makes.
There’s not always time to look for help from the federal government, but this is a current guide to the places to find everything from free cybersecurity training to specialist debt support.
Plus links to key ongoing small business resources and some of the legislative changes that you might need to be aware of.
My team and I are always here to help, so reach out if you have questions.
Yours sincerely,
Susan Templeman MP
Federal Member for Macquarie
Ongoing Programs and Agencies
Digital Solutions Program
The Albanese Labor Government’s Digital Solutions Program gives small businesses access to the skills and confidence they need to embrace digital opportunities.
The federal government funds this program, run in NSW by Realise Business, with the workshops and webinars available at no cost. One-on-one advisory services are also subsidised by the Government so that small businesses can receive tailored expert advice for less than $50.
Visit the Digital Solutions website here.
Business.gov.au
business.gov.au is a government website for the Australian business community. It includes links to information, grants, services and support from across government to help your business succeed.
Online and digital tools
Included in the business.gov.au site is a free resource with advice on assessing your business’s digital maturity, developing a digital strategy, website, email, and social media presence, as well as how to keep your business cyber safe and improve efficiency through AI. This site provides spreadsheets and planners to implement these features into your business.
You can access these tools here.
Self Employment Assistance
The IntoJobs program, originally designed as a free government funded program to help people transform their idea into a business, has recently expanded to provide practical support for microbusinesses that may be struggling.
IntoJobs offer small business training, mentoring, and coaching, workshops, and business plan templates and can also help eligible people access an allowance for up to 39 weeks and rental assistance for up to 26 weeks.
See what support is available at IntoJobs.com.au.
I sat down with Deb, who is a business navigator for the IntoJobs program, to talk about the free services available for small business owners, you can watch our conversation here.
Mental health support for businesses
Beyond Blue has developed the NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) program, which is a free, confidential, self guided mental health coaching program. You are paired with a mental health coach that will work with you to manage stress over 6 sessions.
Find out more about the support available here.
Information on domestic violence leave
The Federal Government has created the Small Business, Big Impact Podcast to help small businesses administer the 10 Days Paid Domestic Violence Leave that we introduced in 2023 sensitively and lawfully.
Hosted by Gretel Killeen, the podcast also provides information to employers on trauma informed responses, and the process of transitioning back to work.
The podcast is available on your preferred streaming device or find it here.
Tax Office Small Business Courses
There are a range of free tax courses offered through the Tax Office website as well as advice on stages of your business from set up to exiting.
There’s also a free Cash Flow Kit and tools for business management.
Visit the Tax Office Website to access these tools.
Indigenous Business Support
Indigenous Business Australia is a Federally developed agency that offers support and advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. This advice is targeted towards, but not limited to, owning a home, starting a business, investment and asset management, and financial difficulties. The IBA also offers workshops to develop business and home ownership skills.
Check out the Indigenous Business Support website here.
Cyber Wardens
The Cyber Wardens program is a simple education tool designed to build a cyber-smart small business workforce. Educating your team about cyber threats will help to protect your small business.
Find the Cyber Wardens program here.
Cyber Resilience Service
The Small Business Cyber Resilience Service provides free, tailored, person- to-person support for small businesses, including sole traders, to improve their cyber security and recover from a cyber incident.
Funded by the federal government, it helps small businesses to:
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- build cyber resilience
- recover after a cyber incident.
The service works one on one with you to develop a tailored plan to improve your small business's cyber security can provide case management support, including mental health support, following an incident.
Find out more at Business.gov.au
Other initiatives and resources
Payment Times Reporting Scheme
The Federal Government has developed the Payment Times Reporting Scheme to improve payment times from big companies to small businesses. The site offers a free register to find information on a reporting entity’s payment practices to small business, including average payment terms and payment times.
You can sign up to this register, or report non compliance on their website.
Commonwealth Procurement Laws
The Department of Finance has developed a series of factsheets around Commonwealth Procurement Laws that govern how entities buy goods and services.
Read about the procurement laws on the Department of Finance website.
Energy Bill Relief
From July 1, every eligible small businesses will receive $325 off their energy bill in quarterly instalments, which will automatically be applied through your energy retailer.
Head to the website to check your eligibility.
Instant Asset Write Off
As part of the 2024–25 Budget, the government announced it will continue to improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs for small businesses by extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off by a further 12 months until 30 June 2025.
This measure is not yet law. The Treasury Laws Amendment containing the extension for the 2024–25 income year is currently before Parliament.
Income Tax Offset
The small business income tax offset (also known as the unincorporated small business tax discount) can reduce the tax you pay by up to $1,000 each year. The offset is worked out on the proportion of tax payable on your business income.
To be eligible, you must be carrying on a small business as a sole trader, or have a share of net small business income from a partnership or trust.
The small business must have an aggregated turnover of less than $5 million for the 2016–17 income year onwards.
Small Business Ombudsman
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman provides assistance in resolving disputes and acts as a body to collect the experiences of small business owners and employees, making submissions that provide policy insight for the Federal Government.
It has a range of tools available online.
Simpler Tax Admin
The Albanese Government has passed new laws to make it simpler for small businesses to interact with the ATO. Currently, most businesses need to make a declaration each time their tax agent lodges their single touch payroll data on their behalf. The Treasury Laws Amendment Bill will abolish this requirement.
Businesses will be able to make a standing declaration to their agent that covers multiple lodgements, for up to 12 months, on the employer’s behalf - saving time and cutting unnecessary red tape.
We have also extended the time small and medium businesses have to self-amend their tax assessments from two to four years. This expanded window will give businesses the flexibility to fix errors quickly, helping them stay compliant with their tax obligations.
