The International Day of People with Disability aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. More than 411,500 people in Western Australia are living with a disability – representing around 15 per cent of the state’s population. Despite a tight labour...
As a small business owner it is important to make sure that if you are open for business on a public holiday or long weekend that you are prepared. Before starting your preparation find out if you are allowed to be open on a public holiday, as small retail shops, special retail stores, service stations and motor vehicle shops must be closed on Good...
Bushfires, cyclones and floods have already affected many WA businesses, and as our climate continues to change, these risks are becoming more frequent and less predictable. Make sure you have the proper plans in place to protect your business - including your employees, customers, premises and documents. It’s not easy to think about what would...
I am pleased to see the ATO has recognised the potential impact of the STP initiative on small and micro businesses; and are considering extending the transition period, as well as, including alternate reporting mechanisms. Single Touch Payroll (STP) – an online payroll initiative designed to streamline the way employers report tax and...
A new service from the Fair Work Commission offers free legal advice on employment matters such as unfair dismissal and workplace bullying cases. The Workplace Advice Service is available to small business owners in Western Australia who don’t have in-house legal, workplace relations or human resources staff. As part of the service, eligible...
The first three local government authorities have commenced SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals Program to improve the operating environment for local small businesses. The SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals Program has commenced, with Small Business Commissioner David Eaton meeting with representatives from the Cities of Melville...
After years working in the offshore oil and gas industry with long swings and time away from home, starting a family inspired Paul Belczowski's decision to become his own boss. Seeing a big gap in the car detailing industry, Paul saw an opportunity to open his own boutique studio specialising in high end automotives. Diamond Detailing was born from...
Is your goal to operate a business that has a purpose beyond profits? If you’re striving to create a positive change through your business activities, then you may be interested in the concept of a social enterprise. What is a social enterprise? A social enterprise is a business guided by a purpose. This could include solving a social problem...
The founder of Impact Digi, Tamara Bin Amat, advises other indigenous businesses to stay true to their roots and collaborate with other community-driven enterprises as a path to business success. Impact Digi is a Karratha based digital design business which employs a team of nine. Its client portfolio includes fellow indigenous and non-indigenous...
You’ve probably heard of phishing, where cyber criminals send texts, emails or social media posts which appear to be from individuals or organisations you think you can trust. Business email compromise takes phishing one step further. Using phishing techniques, cyber criminals can steal information such as log in and financial details by...
As we transition out of our week of lockdown here in WA, I’d like to take a moment to recognise and commend small businesses for the part they have played. Over the week our thoughts have been with many members of the community, including small businesses, who have been impacted by the devastating bushfire emergency in Perth’s east, as well as the...
The impact of an unexpected event, such as a fire, flood or major building damage, can have a devastating effect on a small business. When these situations occur, it can often be difficult to know what to do first. If your business has been disrupted by an unexpected event, here are some steps to follow to help you assess the situation, minimise...