The Federal Budget, announced on 9 May 2023, provides a range of support programs to help small business owners with cost pressures and contemporary challenges. Here is an overview of the main announcements that are likely to have an impact on small businesses. Tax related measures Instant asset write-off extended and increased The instant asset...
We regularly hear from small business owners who have been asked to pay for government information or services that are actually available free of charge, or become aware of cyber scams that duplicate existing government services. Government websites are some of the most trusted and used resources for small businesses, and scammers are ready to...
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...
The City of Busselton has taken a proactive approach to supporting and sustaining a vibrant local economy through a dedicated business development, events and marketing fund. Major events are known to generate significant economic activity, create jobs, drive visitation, stimulate infrastructure investment and boost local businesses. For this...
The SBDC’s own Facebook group, ‘I’m a small business owner in Western Australia’, was created in 2014 to provide an active online community in which local business owners could network, ask for advice and share knowledge. The group recently hit the 15,000 member mark, and has proved to be a highly appreciated asset for small business owners to...
The City of Canning has been Small Business Friendly since 2016 and offers local businesses the opportunity to participate in a range of programs to build capability and capacity. These include the Canning Business Mentoring Program, City of Canning Grants Centre and a range of business events. The Canning Business Mentoring Program is in its...
Did you know that bubble wrap was originally sold as a textured wallpaper? As history has shown us, it wasn’t a viable product for its intended customers. The success of online business ideas or other small business ideas will always depend on a range of factors. Some factors are out of your control, such as interest rates, tax brackets and the...
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...
If you’re expecting a surge in business in the 2024-25 financial year that will boost your taxable income, now is the time to plan ahead to make sure you meet your obligations and maximise your cashflow. Take a look at your expected taxable income for the current financial year (2023-24) - that’s the assessable income for your business minus any...
Free financial counselling services are available to help small business owners who need information about managing debt or are in financial distress. Financial challenges are often cited as the biggest cause of anxiety for small business owners. An Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources report Small Business...
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...
If you’re like many business owners at the end of a busy year, you might find yourself putting off certain tasks, actions or decisions until after the festive break. However, sometimes there’s no time like the (Christmas) present to wrap up properly and ‘sleigh’ the end of the year. We asked our business adviser, Marie, for her thoughts on what...
