A bad credit rating isn’t helpful in your personal finances – but did you know it can impact your business finances too? While your business may experience fluctuations in cash flow for a range of reasons, it’s worth ensuring you can pay your bills and debts on time to protect your credit rating. Here’s what you need to know about your credit...
Find out more about the key changes taking effect from 1 July 2024 that are likely to have an impact on small business owners in Western Australia. New minimum wages The minimum wage for both the national and state industrial relations systems will increase from the first pay on or after 1 July 2024. National minimum wage increase If your business...
If you’re a business owner, it’s important to understand your obligations to provide a safe and healthy workplace. This includes keeping up with changes to health and safety legislation. The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has introduced new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws for Western Australia. Here are seven things...
Accessing the free advisory services available from state and federal governments can help small business owners avoid the costly mistakes others have made when it comes to wages and underpayments. Celebrity chefs and national convenience store franchises have done much in the past few months to throw the issue of staff wages and underpayments into...
The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has been working with State Government agencies and local governments to raise awareness of small business’ role in providing amenity and vitality to the community; and the importance of ensuring practices that minimise the impact of construction on their operations. We have developed guidelines...
Sadly, small businesses aren’t immune to the impacts of fraud. A common issue affecting many small businesses is fraudulent credit card chargebacks. Find out more about the chargeback process, how it can impact on small businesses and tactics you can use to protect your business. What is a chargeback? When a customer disputes a transaction through...
If your business has been affected by a skills or labour shortage, here are some ways you can take action to keep your business thriving. An ongoing challenge many businesses are facing is the shortage of skilled or available workers across many industries. Some workers may have changed careers or industries, others may have moved away or perhaps...
As tax time draws nearer, you might be wondering what you can claim or ‘write off’ as a tax deduction this year. It’s important to know exactly what you can – and can’t – claim to avoid running into issues later. Our business adviser, Brian Childs, shares some of his top tips for small business owners around claiming tax deductions. Beware of...
There are several key changes coming into effect from 1 July 2025 that are likely to impact small business owners in Western Australia. Here is a recap of what you need to know. New minimum wages The minimum wage for both the national and state industrial relations systems will increase from the first pay on or after 1 July 2025. National minimum...
Because intellectual property (IP) is not a physical asset, it can easily be overlooked. Safeguarding your business’s IP is an important step in developing and maintaining a successful business. Your business may have a wealth of IP, from the name on your door, to an innovative new process – consider the things that differentiate you from your...
The International Day of People with Disability (3 December 2023) is a United Nations observance celebrated throughout the world each year. The day aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. One in five Western Australians, or more than 411,500 people...
Learn more about the support services available to help you get through any tough times you’re facing as a business owner.