If you’re one of the many small business owners across WA facing rising costs, uncertain economic conditions and the impact of inflation, you’re not alone. While you can’t control these factors, you can take action to help put your business in the strongest position possible. We asked one of our experienced business advisers, Brian Childs, for some...
Small businesses in construction may feel pressured to quickly sign on the dotted line to secure work. But being unfamiliar with certain terms and clauses in contracts can lead to you working on unprofitable jobs or worse — paying out your client when things go wrong. Celia Jordaan, procurement consultant from Ichiban Commercial Consulting joined...
From 1 July 2026, you'll need to tell customers if the seafood in dishes you serve is Australian, imported or a mix both. New Country of Origin labelling rules for seafood will apply to hospitality businesses selling food that contains seafood and is served for immediate consumption (including dine in, take away or delivery). These requirements...
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is warning small business owners to be wary of unlawful tax schemes offering to significantly reduce or avoid a tax bill. The ATO has seen a rise in tax avoidance schemes being promoted online, particularly via social media. These schemes can entice honest people into arrangements that can have a significant impact...
From 26 August 2025, the Australian Government’s right to disconnect laws will apply to small business employers. Australia’s workplace landscape has undergone significant changes recently, with the Federal Government passing a series of amendments to the Fair Work Act – also known as the 'Closing Loopholes' laws. The right to disconnect laws were...
As you dive into the new year in small business, it’s important to take stock of your achievements during the past 12 months and to set your business goals for 2025. We have put together a few tips to help ensure smooth sailing in the year ahead. Get on top of your finances Take some time to put your finances in order by reviewing your financial...
If you have never ventured into the world of business ownership before, you may be wondering how different it will be from being employed by someone else. We put together some details on how owning your own business can be a different experience from being someone else’s employee. Flexibility No matter how adaptable your employer is, it’s hard to...
With more than 9,000 business, many classed as small and micro in nature, the City of Cockburn joined the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Local Governments program in 2018. Having also participated in the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals Program in 2021, the City continues to demonstrate its commitment to its small business community with...
We all want to avoid non-essential costs when starting a business. The good news is, there are some amazing free resources available to get you started on your business journey. Here are some of the best. 1 - Free Starting a Business workshop If you are new to business, our free Starting a Business workshop is the best place to start. You’ll cover...
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...
Could a change in payment times across the board be the silver lining to the pandemic cloud?
Great news! You don’t need to provide an on-site video arcade, unlimited holidays or free pet-sitting to be an employer of choice. With these simple ideas, you could create the kind of workplace and culture your team will love. You might spend a lot of time and effort attracting customers to your business – but how much have you invested in...
