Use the interactive diagnostic tool to: assess your current financial situation find out where there may be opportunities for growth in your business.

Use the interactive diagnostic tool to: assess your current digital strengths identify opportunities to add digital capabilities to your business.

Resources

We constantly monitor available resources, including information and support services, that may assist you with operating a small business in Queensland.

Operating a small business

Starting a business

https://www.dewr.gov.au/self-employment-assistance

Self-Employment Assistance

12 months of personalised mentoring and support to help you start and run your small business.

https://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-and-startups

Advancing QLD Start-up Onramp program

Structured training and mentoring programs to equip first-time start-up founders with essential skills.

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/planning/launchpad

Business Launchpad | Business Queensland

Check what licences permits and other regulatory requirements apply to you.

https://www.accc.gov.au/update/franchising-is-it-for-you

Franchising: Is it for you?

Resources about the risks and challenges of franchises.

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/support/women

Support for women in business

Tailored support including programs, grants, events, mentoring and education.

Running a business

https://smallbusiness.taxsuperandyou.gov.au/

Essentials to strengthen your small business

21 online courses and tutorials covering general business processes with broad coverage of major industries and business basics.

https://ecobiz.businesschamberqld.com.au/how-it-works/

ecoBiz | Business Chamber Queensland

Free assessment with an ecoBiz coach for advice on how to cut costs and increase efficiencies across energy, water and waste.

https://backtowork.initiatives.qld.gov.au/sbsc-micro-credentials/

Small Business Short Courses

Short micro-credential courses to support and retain their employees.

https://www.qtic.com.au/workforce-development/Micro-Credentialing/

Micro-credentialing

Skilling solutions providing direct benefits to tourism and hospitality businesses.

https://business.gov.au/finance/accounting/end-of-financial-year

End of financial year checklist

A list of essential tasks to prepare for the end of the financial year and plan ahead.

Grow your business and yourself

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/growing-business/business-mentoring/mentoring-growth

Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program

Free mentoring providing insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business.

https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/industry-growth-program

Industry Growth Program | Australian Government (business.gov.au)

Free advisory service with opportunity of matched funding for SME’s to commercialise and grow their business.

https://business.gov.au/expertise-and-advice/

Digital Solutions Program

Low-cost access to one-to-one advice, world-class workshops, and online webinars. Regional Business HQ is the supplier contracted by the Australian Government to deliver this program in Queensland.

https://business.tafeqld.edu.au/workshops/view/build-better-business-workshop

Build a Better Business

Build a Better Business provides workshops and mentoring; a team of expert business mentors guide you through critical periods of business development.

https://advance.qld.gov.au/entrepreneurs-and-startups/backing-female-founders-program

Backing Female Founders Program

Supporting Queensland’s female founders to grow and scale their Queensland innovation businesses.

https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/regional-arts-services-network-outcomes/background-and-goals/creative-business-champions

Creative Business Champions

Although now closed, their site allows access to the free webinar series by the Regional Arts Services Network, with topics including Marketing and Grant Writing.

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/governance-and-strategy/business-in-brisbane/growing-brisbanes-economy/multicultural-business/the-lord-mayors-multicultural-business-scholarship-and-mentoring-scheme

Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program and Mentoring Scheme

Business training and mentoring opportunities for Brisbane CALD residents.

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/recognition/rpl

Recognition of existing skills and experience

Help with credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-checkpoint-older-workers-program

Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers

Includes career assessment, one-on-one career guidance and advice and support in relation to a current role, a new role, or help to transition to a new career. Now accessible for people 40+.

https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/workforce-planning-connect/

Workforce Planning Connect | Free toolkit |Jobs Queensland

Support for employers to access the skills and workforce needed.

Support services

General

Digital security and energy business check-ups

https://ecobiz.cciq.com.au/

EcoBiz Energy Coaches | CCIQ

Free program for small to medium businesses to increase energy efficiency.

https://www.energy.gov.au/business

Energy Advisory Services and Information for Businesses

Advice to manage your business energy costs, energy efficiency technologies and opportunities.

https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/

Energy Made Easy

Free energy plan comparison service.

Employment

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/planning-workforce/industry-workforce-advisors

Industry Workforce Advisors

Help find solutions to employment challenges and connect with incentives and funding opportunities.

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/employment/workforce-connect-fund

Workforce Connect Fund – small business HR support and advice

$5,000 to provide immediate human resources (HR) support and advice to help address workforce challenges and diversify workforces.

https://business.gov.au/people/employees/hiring-employees

Hiring employees checklist | business.gov.au

Checklist for small business owners when hiring an employee.

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/taking-on-staff/overseas

Hiring staff from overseas | Business Queensland

If you can’t find Australian staff, you could consider hiring staff from overseas.

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/

Injury Prevent and Management program (Workplace Health and Safety Queensland)

Free small business advice about work health and safety issues for businesses with less than 20 people. Ph: 1300 362 128

https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

Workplace obligations | Fair Work Ombudsman

If you have an urgent enquiry about your workplace obligations or entitlements. Ph: 13 13 94

General disputes

https://www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace/settling-disputes-out-of-court/abbreviated-mediation

Queensland Government Dispute Resolution Centres

Provide free abbreviated mediations for some business disputes.

Wellbeing services

https://aheadforbusiness.org.au/

Ahead for Business

Supporting small business to be mentally healthy.

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/help-lines

Health help lines, counselling and support groups

Links to access help lines, counselling, and support groups.

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/support/wellbeing

Look after your greatest asset – You!

Tailored, one-on-one, financial counselling, wellness coaching and access to other support services.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/newaccess-for-small-business-owners

NewAccess for small business owners

Free and confidential mental health coaching program for small business owners.
Ph: 1300 945 301

Funded until December 2022

Financial

Financial assistance

https://www.ausbanking.org.au/assistance/

Financial Assistance Hub | Australian Banking Association (ausbanking.org.au)

Help understanding available options if you’re struggling financially.

Available now

https://sbdh.org.au/

Small Business Debt Helpline

Free, independent, and confidential service for small business owners and sole traders in financial difficulty. Ph: 1800 413 828.

Funded until the end of 2022

Financial counselling

https://www.rfcssq.org.au/

Rural Southern Qld Financial Counsellors

Free one-on-one help with rural business financial issues.

https://www.rfcsnq.com.au/small-business/free-financial-counselling-for-small-business

Small Business Northern Qld Financial Counsellors

Free one-on-one help with small business financial issues.

https://www.sbfcssq.org.au/

Small Business Southern Qld Financial Counsellors

Free one-on-one help with small business financial issues.

https://www.financialrights.org.au/getting-help/mob-strong-debt-help/

Mob Strong Debt Help

Free legal advice about money matters for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples.

Grant and support finder tools

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community-and-safety/grants-awards-and-sponsorships/summary-of-grant-programs

Brisbane City Council Grants program

Find grants available to Brisbane small businesses.

Various throughout the year

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/covid-assistance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) business assistance finder | Business Queensland

COVID-19 related support available for small businesses.

Ongoing tool

https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs

Grants and programs finder | AusIndustry

Supporting business growth to innovate, invest and commercialise.

Ongoing tool

https://www.grants.services.qld.gov.au/

Queensland Government Grants Finder |services.qld.gov.au

Ongoing tool

Grants

https://www.qic.com.au/bqbif

Backing Queensland Business Investment Fund (BIF)

Created to support established small and medium businesses innovate, realise their potential, and promote job creation in Queensland.

Available now

https://backtowork.initiatives.qld.gov.au/for-employers/

Back to Work – For Employers | Queensland Government

Payments of up to $15,000 available for eligible employers hiring eligible people.

Subject to the availability of funds

https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/investment/investment-programs-and-support/backing-business-in-the-bush-fund/

Backing Business in the Bush Fund | Queensland Treasury

An investment program to support Queensland small to medium enterprises (SMEs) undertake projects in regional Queensland.

Applications close 14 January 2024.

https://www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/manufacturing/manufacturing-assistance-programs/made-in-queensland

Made in Queensland Grants | Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water

Matched funding to help small and medium sized manufacturers increase international competitiveness, productivity and innovation.

Applications close 11 December 2023.

https://iba.gov.au/business/finance/start-finance-package/

Indigenous Business Australia: Start-Up Finance Package

Grants up to 30% of a new business loan to purchase assets for your business.

Available now

https://supportact.org.au/get-help/crisis-relief-grants/

Music Industry Crisis Relief Grants

Crisis Relief Grants available for eligible people.

No deadline to apply

https://backtowork.initiatives.qld.gov.au/for-employers/

Youth Boost payment – For Employers | Queensland Government

Payments of up to $20,000 available for employers who hire eligible unemployed jobseekers aged between 15-24 years.

Subject to the availability of funds

Loans

https://thriverefugeeenterprise.org.au/

Business Loans for Refugees in Australia | Thrive (not for profit)

Business financing up to $50k for refugee and asylum-seeker (in the past 10 years).

Available now

https://www.exportfinance.gov.au/how-we-can-help/our-solutions/small-business-export-loan/

Small Business Export Loan (exportfinance.gov.au)

Loan for businesses that generate at least 20% of its revenues from export sales for a wider range of financing needs.

Available now

Rebates

Currently there are no rebates available.

Business health checks

Starting a business health check

Use the interactive diagnostic tool to:

assess the strengths and weaknesses of your new business start-up approach
identify opportunities to improve your business start-up plans and processes.

Change readiness health check

Is your business strong enough to deal with disruptions and emergencies? Take the business health check to identify changes you can make to get your business ready for change and help your business survive and thrive.

Finance health check

Use the interactive diagnostic tool to:

assess your current financial situation
find out where there may be opportunities for growth in your business.

Digital health check

Use the interactive diagnostic tool to:

assess your current digital strengths
identify opportunities to add digital capabilities to your business.

Marketing health check

Use the interactive diagnostic tool to:

assess the strengths and weaknesses of your current marketing approach.
identify opportunities to improve your marketing capability and effectiveness.

Tourism business health check

Take this health check to understand and improve the resilience of your business so you are ready for anything – from loss of key staff to a pandemic or natural disaster.

Trade mark checker

This TM Checker from IP Australia makes it easier for small businesses to check if a trade mark is available.

Legal and tax

Legal and tax services

https://www.artslaw.com.au/

Arts Law Centre of Australia

Free or low cost specialised legal advice, education and resources to Australian artists and arts organisations. Ph: 02 9356 2566

https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-business-school/departments/accounting-finance-economics/griffith-tax-clinic

Griffith Tax Clinic

Providing free tax assistance to help you navigate Australia’s complex tax system.

https://www.jcu.edu.au/college-of-business-law-and-governance/tax-clinic

James Cook University (JCU) Australia Tax Clinic

Tax assistance for established small businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

https://www.communitylegalqld.org.au

Community Legal Centres Queensland

Connect individuals with local community legal centres.

https://www.qls.com.au/Find-a-Solicitor/Search

Queensland Law Society

Search for a solicitor close to you, by category and location.

IP and Trade marks

Protect the value of your intellectual property (IP). The IP Australia website has information about patents, trade marks and getting your IP strategy right.

Upskill on trade marks.

Before you apply for a trade mark, it’s important to understand what it protects and how it works. This free online course can help you master the basics.

Get the Latest News and Information

On this page

Resources

Operating a small business

Starting a business

Running a business

Grow your business and yourself

Support services

General

Digital security and energy business check-ups

Employment

General disputes

Wellbeing services

Financial

Financial assistance

Financial counselling

Grant and support finder tools

Grants

Loans

Rebates

Business health checks

Starting a business health check

Change readiness health check

Finance health check

Digital health check

Marketing health check

Tourism business health check

Trade mark checker

Legal and tax

Legal and tax services

IP and Trade marks