You may have heard about recent changes to the Fair Work Act 2009. Here’s an overview of three changes that could impact you, your employees and your business operations. The Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has announced updates to the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. This was formerly...
Most businesses evolve over time. You may start off running a small home based business and then branch out to hiring staff, moving into business premises or offering new products and services. If you’re starting a business or planning changes to the way you operate, we recommend taking a moment to check if there are any additional licensing...
Every size of business – including micro businesses, sole traders and self‑employed small business owners - needs to comply with the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act. Here’s how you can help create a safe and inclusive workplace, protecting both your people and your business. What is positive duty? Everyone has the right to feel safe and...
Gaelle Morival’s foray into the business world began with her love for French pastries and a desire to bring a slice of France to Perth. In October 2023, she purchased an existing café, French Resistance, which had already been operating for five years. Gaelle saw this as an opportunity to combine her passion for delicious French pastries with a...
Making sense of industry changes and trends can be overwhelming when you’re focused on the daily demands of running your business. The SBDC can help simplify this process by providing free access to IBISWorld, offering reports with the latest data and developments. Competitor activity, global market shifts and evolving consumer trends are always...
Need the help of a contractor or service provider to help your business? Whether you work from home or run your business from an office or other premises, at some stage you’re likely to need the services of a contractor to help in areas you either don’t have experience in, or don’t have time to take care of. You might need a new web design, an SEO...
'See you in court' might be an easy way to resolve disputes in your favourite legal series – but the reality of legal proceedings is much more complicated, expensive and potentially stressful for small business owners. Whether you’re handling a dispute with another business, your landlord, or an individual or organisation, it’s always worth...
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...
A feature of my role as the Small Business Commissioner is that I am often asked about emerging issues in the small business landscape, particularly as each new year commences. While I sometimes wish for a clearer crystal ball, the benefit of having a network of peers across business and all levels of government, as well as having access to our in...
In 2015, Claudia Franke started her IT consulting business in her spare time while still working in an office-based role. After two years of building her business, she resigned from her IT day job to focus on providing IT consulting, support and training services for small businesses. The move to create her own business, Fraulein Tech, allowed...
Applying for a grant or tendering opportunities can involve formalising, adopting or reporting on practices you might not have considered before, such as sustainability practices, inclusion and diversity, and modern slavery risks. More than ever, government bodies and corporations are taking a formal approach to addressing climate change through...
