Are you starting out with a great small business idea or looking to grow or solve a specific business challenge unique to the Wheatbelt?

Turn to SBDC Regional when you need advice to help you start or grow your small business. IPS Management Consultants is the provider of SBDC Regional services in the Wheatbelt including Northam, Dowerin or Cunderdin, Kellerberrin, Wagin or Jurien Bay; Merredin, Corrigin, Dalwallinu, Gingin and surrounds. Whatever stage of business you’re in, their experienced business advisers can provide you with free and practical advice and support to start well, survive and thrive.

SBDC Regional services are funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Small Business Development Corporation.

Business advice in the Wheatbelt

Our experienced small business advisers live and work in the region so we understand the unique challenges and opportunities local small business owners face.

If you are a small business owner or run a social enterprise or commercial not-for-profit, SBDC Regional advisers offer expert guidance on small business topics including:

• Assessing new business ideas
• Steps to starting a business
• Business licences and permits
• Business planning
• Market research
• Financial management
• Marketing

They can also refer local businesses to specialist services available via the SBDC.

About IPS Management Consultants

IPS Management Consultants is a fast-growing business headquartered in Bunbury, delivering mainstream and Indigenous services across Australia. They are experienced professionals who lead with empathy and compassion, to help navigate you through the highs and lows of your business journey.

Turn to SBDC Regional in the Wheatbelt

Call IPS Management Consultants - 1300 275 477

Email IPS Management Consultants

Visit the IPS Management Consultants website

Running a small business in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields can bring many opportunities but also challenges, as you juggle all the things you need to tackle every day.

Turn to SBDC Regional when you need advice to help you start well, survive and thrive in business. The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce & Industry is the provider of SBDC Regional services in the Goldfields and Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Whether you are in Kalgoorlie or Coolgardie, Leonora or Menzies, you can get our help to start, grow and manage your business. 

SBDC Regional services are funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Small Business Development Corporation.

Business advice

Our experienced small business advisers live and work in the Goldfields region so they understand the unique challenges and opportunities local small business owners face. 

If you are a small business owner or run a social enterprise or commercial not-for-profit, SBDC Regional advisers offer expert guidance on small business topics including:

• Assessing new business ideas
• Steps to starting a business
• Business licences and permits
• Business planning
• Market research
• Financial management
• Marketing 

They can also refer local businesses to specialist services available via the SBDC.

About Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc (KBCCI) was established in 1903. The KBCCI prides itself on representing the business community with a strong and well-informed voice and services the business community by playing a leading role in the promotion and development of the region.

Turn to SBDC Regional in the Goldfields

Call Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry - 9021 2466

Email Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Visit the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry website

If you are operating a small business in the Pilbara, you know it isn’t a small job. It can help to have access to trusted advice when you face problems or want to make the most of opportunities.

Turn to SBDC Regional when you need free and confidential business advice in your area. IPS Management Consultants is a provider of SBDC Regional services in the Pilbara. From Karratha to Port Hedland, Newman to Onslow, you can use their fully subsidised business advisory service when you are facing new opportunities and challenges or looking to get a new business idea off the ground.

SBDC Regional services are funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Small Business Development Corporation.

Business advice in the Pilbara

Our experienced small business advisers in the Pilbara understand the unique challenges and opportunities local small business owners face.

If you are a small business owner or run a social enterprise or commercial not-for-profit, SBDC Regional advisers offer expert guidance on small business topics including:

• Assessing new business ideas
• Steps to starting a business
• Business licences and permits
• Business planning
• Market research
• Financial management
• Marketing

They can also refer local businesses to specialist services available via the SBDC.

About IPS Management Consultants

IPS Management Consultants is a fast-growing business headquartered in Bunbury, delivering mainstream and Indigenous services across Australia. They are experienced professionals who lead with empathy and compassion, to help navigate you through the highs and lows of your business journey.

Turn to SBDC Regional in the Pilbara

Call IPS Management Consultants - 1300 275 477

Email IPS Management Consultants

Visit the IPS Management Consultants website

Do you own a small business in the Great Southern region? If you do, you know that there is no end to jobs on your list as a small business owner. Sometimes, you need somewhere you can turn for good advice.

Turn to SBDC Regional when you need advice to help you run or grow your small business. Albany Business Centre is the provider of SBDC Regional services in the Great Southern including Albany, Denmark, Katanning, Kojonup and surrounds. Whatever stage of business you’re in, their experienced business advisers can provide you with free and practical advice and support to start well, survive and thrive.

SBDC Regional services are funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Small Business Development Corporation.

Business advice in the Great Southern

Our experienced small business advisers live and work locally so they understand the unique challenges and opportunities local small business owners face.

If you are a small business owner or run a social enterprise or commercial not-for-profit, SBDC Regional advisers offer expert guidance on small business topics including:

• Assessing new business ideas
• Steps to starting a business
• Business licences and permits
• Business planning
• Market research
• Financial management
• Marketing

They can also refer local businesses to specialist services available via the SBDC.

About Albany Business Centre

Albany Business Centre has been a steadfast supporter of small businesses across the Great Southern since 1987. Owning a business can be a wild ride, but whether you're starting a business or have been in business for a while, the Albany Business Centre can help with business advice and guidance to support you every step of the way.

Turn to SBDC Regional in the Great Southern

Call Albany Business Centre - 9841 8477

Email Albany Business Centre

Visit the Albany Business Centre website

If you are operating a small business in the Mid West and Gascoyne, you know it isn’t a small job. Sometimes, you need somewhere you can turn for good advice.

Luckily, you can turn to IPS Management Consultants when you need help to run or grow your small business. IPS Management Consultants is the provider of SBDC Regional services in the Mid West and Gascoyne. Whether you are based in Geraldton, Kalbarri, Northampton, Meekatharra or other places throughout the Mid West and Gascoyne, SBDC Regional will support you with trusted and free business advice.

SBDC Regional services are funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Small Business Development Corporation.

Business advice in the Mid West and Gascoyne

Our experienced small business advisers live and work in the region so we understand the unique challenges and opportunities local small business owners face.

If you are a small business owner or run a social enterprise or commercial not-for-profit, SBDC Regional advisers offer expert guidance on small business topics including:

• Assessing new business ideas
• Steps to starting a business
• Business licences and permits
• Business planning
• Market research
• Financial management
• Marketing

They can also refer local businesses to specialist services available via the SBDC.

About IPS Management Consultants

IPS Management Consultants is a fast-growing business headquartered in Bunbury, delivering mainstream and Indigenous services across Australia. They are experienced professionals who lead with empathy and compassion, to help navigate you through the highs and lows of your business journey.

Turn to SBDC Regional in the Mid West and Gascoyne

Call IPS Management Consultants - 1300 275 477

Email IPS Management Consultants

Visit the IPS Management Consultants website

Please note: In-person advisory sessions are available by appointment only.

Business advisory service

• Free of charge and easy to access over the phone, online and in-person (please note in-person sessions are by appointment only)
• Connects you with experienced advisers that have run, or are currently running, their own business
• Confidential
• Provides practical solutions

You can use our business advisory service for help starting, growing or exiting your business.

Areas we can help

The areas of advice we can help you with include, but are not limited to:

• starting a business
• helping you assess new business ideas
• business structures
• writing your business plan
• market research
• business licences and permits
• leasing commercial premises
• business disruption
• financial management and tax
• marketing 
• managing business disputes

Connect with us

Free business advice is available to small businesses (including start ups) in Western Australia by contacting one of our business advisers. We provide a range of options to make accessing information easy.

When booking an appointment, you can select to meet with an adviser online (via Microsoft Teams) or over the phone.

Call us on 133 140

Book an online or phone appointment

Chat to us online

Support in regional Western Australia

If you're a small business owner in regional Western Australia, you can access support in your area via SBDC Regional, your statewide network of local business advisers. 

Our SBDC Regional advisers understand how things work in your area, and are experienced in business. They can help you with free advice and guidance on a range of topics to help your business start well, survive and thrive in business.

Find your SBDC Regional provider

Please note: In-person services are available by appointment only.

How to handle a small business dispute

If you have tried to resolve a dispute yourself and the issue continues, you might like to turn to our business advisory service.

When you speak with one of our business advisers:

• They will ask you about your dispute and provide some steps which could help you to resolve the issue quickly.
• The information and suggestions they provide will be based on the details you share, without contacting the other party involved in your dispute.

Contact one of our business advisers

There is no cost for our business advisory service.

If you can’t resolve the dispute by following the information provided by our business advisers, you might be asked if you would like help to negotiate with the other party involved. This is known as our dispute resolution service.

Dispute resolution service

• Affordable and easy to access
• Confidential service, practical solutions
• Designed to help WA small businesses
• Aims to finalise disputes quickly

By using our dispute resolution service, you could have the opportunity to work with the other party involved to explore solutions to the issue. This service aims to help you reach a practical agreement, so you can get back to running your business sooner.

Please note, fees may apply for elements of our dispute resolution service, such as mediation.

More information

If you would like learn more about resolving a dispute, read our dispute resolution tips or contact us to discuss our dispute resolution service.

Subcontractors and small businesses in general are particularly vulnerable to risks connected with late or non-payment, insolvencies and unfair behaviour.

Legislation came into effect in April 2020 giving additional authority to our Small Business Commissioner to investigate complaints of non-payment and poor industry practice. He can also investigate matters identified through data analysis and insights from other government agencies.

Findings from investigations may be provided to ministers, local government, State Government and specified Commonwealth Government authorities. This could result in sanctions being imposed. The work of the Small Business Commissioner is supported by our Investigations and Inquiry Unit.

Practical help

If you’re a subcontractor in the construction industry who is experiencing problems, we can provide practical advice and guidance. We are proactive in our approach and actively encourage subcontractors with any concerns relating to the industry to contact us for a confidential discussion.

We encourage you to contact us with concerns about late payments, coercive behaviour and breaches of contract terms with another business (of any size) or WA and local government organisation.

Our advisors have helped thousands of small businesses since 1984 and have a great deal of experience in handling sensitive matters and, if appropriate, may refer you to our Investigations and Inquiry Unit.

For serious issues requiring further investigation, our Commissioner has the authority to compel parties to provide information or documents (with financial penalties for non-compliance) and to protect a complainant’s identity and their confidentiality (unless required by law).

Issues we can help with

Behaviours we investigate generally relate to systemic issues (see below) and may be referred to an agency that has legislative responsibility.

The following are examples of some of the issues we can deal with. If you’re unsure whether we can assist please contact us. If we’re unable to help, we’ll refer you to someone who can.

We can help with

• Delays in receiving payment (while we may help with delays in receiving payments, we cannot collect outstanding debts on your behalf and/or ensure that you get paid)
• Delays in the release of retentions
• Managing the impact of a creditor becoming insolvent and protecting your assets
• Being treated in a way that would be considered harsh, unconscionable, oppressive, misleading or deceptive
• Dealing with a registered building service provider* you believe is acting fraudulently
• Contract terms that would be considered ‘unfair’
• Dealing with a registered building service provider* you believe acted in a collusive way during a tender process
• Issues arising as a result of a registered building service provider* experiencing financial difficulties
• Issues relating to contracts associated with State Government or commercial works 

Issues we may refer to other government agencies

• A registered building service provider engaging in sham contracting (when an employer disguises employment as independent contracting)
• Illegal phoenixing activities
• The sudden departure of directors from a registered building service provider 
• Freedom of Association issues
• Health and safety issues
• Issues relating to unregistered written agreements and other agreements 
• Issues relating to employing non-Australian citizens or residents
• Workplace arrangement issues
• Above entitlement payments and related matters
• Industrial action
• Dispute settlement procedures in industrial instruments
• Workplace reform
• Workplace relations management plans

*A registered building service provider could be a head contractor or other contracting body.

Free information and downloads

Before contacting us, take a look at our range of free resources which may help.

• Tips on providing credit to customers, including the importance of including terms and conditions, and what to do if you become an unsecured creditor.
• Resolving business disputes, including a free letter of demand template to help you recover debts and avoid legal fees.
• Information on contracts and agreements which explains the general terms and structure of an agreement, plus unfair contract terms to look out for.
• How to protect business assets using the Personal Property and Securities Register (PPSR).
• Our free business advisory service providing guidance on a wide range of topics to support your business.
• Our dispute resolution service to help you get paid what you’re owed.

Other organisations providing support

• Building and Energy (formerly known as the Building Commission) provides services for the regulation and licensing of the building industry, as well as the rapid adjudication process for disputes:
  • under the Construction Contracts Act 2004 (contracts entered into prior to 1 August 2022).
  • under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2021 (contracts entered into from 1 August 2022 onwards).
• The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has a range of tips and guidance specifically for people working in the construction industry.
• The Fair Work Ombudsman is responsible for provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations; to promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws and to inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act.
• If you, or someone you know, is struggling with anxiety, stress or depression, you can receive advice and support from:
  • MATES in Construction - 1300 642 111
  • Lifeline - 13 11 14 
  • Rural & Remote Mental Health

Contact us

For help please don’t hesitate to contact us.

So that we can help as much as possible, we'll need some information from you. If possible, make sure you have the following details to hand or can answer some basic questions about your issue.

• A copy of your contract or purchase order
• A copy of any outstanding invoices or progress claims
• Any correspondence or supporting evidence, these are usually documents such as:
  • letters of demand
  • emails or letters
  • notice of dispute
  • photographs
• Any relevant court or adjudication decisions
• Details of any other steps you are taking, such as referring the matter to court
• Consider whether you wish details about your identity to remain confidential; this may limit what can be done to assist you
• The value of the amount outstanding, and details of what action you have taken so far to be paid

If you want to contact us without initially identifying yourself:

T: 1300 110 232

E: complete the contact form