The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has recently become the first certified ECO Destination in Western Australia, and has partnered with the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce and Industry to launch a Local-Is-More program to encourage the community to buy locally. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River joined the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly...
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...
Government agencies play an important role in our economy when procuring products and services.
Pay rates and employer obligations can vary depending on which industrial relations system applies to your business. Find out about four free tools that can help you pay staff correctly.
The way you’re feeling can often be aligned with how well your business is doing. The thought of whether you can pay the bills or wages, or whether your business can actually continue, are burdens that can weigh heavily on any business owner. There are a number of ways you can manage any stress and anxiety you are feeling. Unfortunately due to...
Julia ‘Jools’ Nesbitt is the Co-Director of Masonex Building, a family shop fitting business she runs with her husband Mick. The registered building business, offering retail shop fit-outs, de-fits and store maintenance, was busy and in demand before COVID affected their environment. “Before COVID came around, we always had plenty of work,” said...
It makes a lot of sense to reduce your waste, phase out single-use plastics and choose the most sustainable options for your business - but it’s not always easy. The ban on single use-plastics in Western Australia has given rise to a lot of new product options. When you’re looking for alternatives to single-use plastics, or simply looking for any...
The port City of Fremantle has bounced back from the disruption of COVID-19 with a number of initiatives to support local and small businesses. The City of Fremantle signed up to the Small Business Friendly initiative in 2019 and since then, has maintained a strong focus on supporting its small business community. The City demonstrates its...
In the 2025-26 financial year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will prioritise enforcing compliance relating to credit card surcharges and merchant fees. Paying by card is convenient for customers, but it can cost your business in the form of merchant fees charged by your payment processor (such as a bank). If your...
On 1 July 2024, Business Local became SBDC Regional. While the name has changed, we’re still here providing you with free business advice and support in your area. Find your SBDC Regional provider . When Melissa Raffan’s career took an unexpected trajectory and she became a small business owner, she was driven by her personal passion for...
It can be a lonely road when you work from home. Here are our tips on how to beat the isolation for the benefit of your wellbeing and your business.
Every business should be fully aware of the current Sex Discrimination Act 1984, but from 12 December 2023 it will move from being just a complaint-based system to one where businesses will have a pro-active obligation or ‘Positive Duty’ as well. What has changed? The changes will not replace the current legal components under the Act but...
