Business information

AusIndustry is the Australian Government's principal business program within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. AusIndustry provides a range of incentives for Australian businesses to invest, innovate and be internationally competitive. AusIndustry products cover a range of industry sectors and business needs delivered in the form of innovation grants, tax and duty concessions, small business development, industry support and venture capital. This link does not mean that AusIndustry endorses this site or its content.

Eligibility criteria

AusIndustry is an Australian Government agency. There may be some eligibility requirements to participate in or access various AusIndustry programs.

For more information visit AusIndustry

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is Australia's official statistical organisation. This site provides a range of ICT information and statistics for business planning and research purposes.

Eligibility criteria

Some specialty services may attract a fee.

To access the ABS online visit www.abs.gov.au

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority. The Commission promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community within a legal framework of protection laws.

Find out what your rights are as a person in business under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit www.accc.gov.au

.au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA) is the self-regulatory body endorsed by the Australian Government to administer the .au domain space.

Eligibility criteria

Australian domain names end in .au e.g. .com.au, .net.au and are licensed on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants.

For more information regarding domain name registration visit www.auda.org.au

ASX operates Australia's primary national stock exchange for equities, derivatives and fixed interest securities. It also provides comprehensive market data and information to a range of users.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Visit the ASX at www.asx.com.au

ASIC is Australia's corporate, markets and financial services regulator, set up as an independent Commonwealth Government body to ensure that Australia's financial markets are fair and transparent.

ASIC is set up under and administers the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act (ASIC Act), and carries out most of its work under the Corporations Act.

Eligibility criteria

For more information regarding ASIC's role and assistance offered visit www.asic.gov.au.

The Australian Taxation Office is the Government's principal revenue collection agency, whose role it is to manage and shape tax, excise and superannuation systems that fund services for Australians.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

The Business Portal is the internet gateway to the ATO's online services for business.

For more information visit www.ato.gov.au

A Queensland Government website providing a vast array of relevant information ranging from how to develop an idea into a commercial proposition right through to selling or closing your business.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit www.business.qld.gov.au

Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) are community-based not-for-profit business assistance organisations that are incorporated and supported by a local board of management. They are designed to facilitate the creation, retention and development of sustainable business enterprises and foster local economic development.

BECs provide a variety of services, from business start-up advice and assistance to mentoring, seminars, business plan assistance and skills training.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit www.becaustralia.org.au

Provides business with government and commercial information to assist with business planning and viability assessment.

A variety of business development resources may be purchased from the On-Line Business Bookshop.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Visit the On-Line Business Bookshop for more information.

ComLaw is the legal information retrieval system maintained by the Australian Attorney-General's Department aiming to bring low or no-cost access to the law for the community.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit www.comlaw.gov.au.

The CRC Program provides funding to build critical mass in research ventures between end-users and researchers which tackle clearly-articulated, major challenges for the end-users. CRCs pursue solutions to these challenges that are innovative, of high impact and capable of being effectively deployed by the end-users.

The CRC Program provides a mechanism for ICT companies to engage with the ICT researchers to cooperatively tackle new and previously unsolved technology challenges. There are currently six CRCs with an ICT focus:

• Capital Markets CRC
• CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management
• CRC for Spatial Information
• Smart Services CRC
• eWater CRC
• CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies

Eligibility criteria

For more information and eligibility criteria, visit the Cooperative Research Centres Program website.

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation has developed a number of online directories to promote Queensland industry sectors including: aviation and defence, biotechnology, marine, fibre composites, food manufacturers, environmental technologies and services and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Eligibility criteria

Click here to access the online directories

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and its state-wide network of Regional Centres can provide information about:

• starting up a new business
• maximising export and investment opportunities
• operating and growing a business
• advancing major projects
• making a business more innovative, productive or resilient.

Should you wish to learn more about these services please visit our website or telephone our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.

Eligibility criteria

Available to all Queensland businesses.

Click here for more information.

Provides information on Australia's foreign and trade policy as well as important travel advisories.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Go to www.dfat.gov.au

The Queensland Government Business Information Service (GOBiS) connects business with government services and programs designed to help you get the best from your enterprise. Information is available on government subsidies and grants, export opportunities, industry product matching/sourcing facilities, trade assistance and development, as well as training, seminars and workshops.

Eligibility criteria

Some information and services are accessible only by Queensland enterprises.

Click here for more information.

Ideas 2 Market is a small business program delivered by the Australian Institute for Commercialisation to provide innovators and SMEs with information and skills that can assist them take their ideas or products to market.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Visit the Ideas 2 Market website for more information.

ICT & SS Unit is responsible for delivering the Queensland Government's ICT industry development strategy ICT for tomorrow's Queensland. The ICT & SS Unit:

• supports the development of key strengths within the Queensland ICT industry
• facilitates local and international business opportunities for ICT companies
• showcases the transformational capacity of ICT to non-ICT sectors to promote uptake of ICT solutions
• manages the Queensland Government's significant investments in ICT R&D
• works to connect the ICT industry with the research community
• profiles the State's ICT sector to inform Government policy and create targeted ICT industry development initiatives.

Eligibility criteria

The ICT & SS Unit works with Queensland ICT companies to assist their growth and development.

Visit the ICT & SS Unit at ict.industry.qld.gov.au.

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) has developed an integrated suite of specialised services to assist businesses across a full range of activities including access to research and development, latest business practices, financiers and investors. The Innovation Toolbox brings together innovation support services provided by the Queensland Government and its partner organisations.

Eligibility criteria

For more information, visit the Innovation Toolbox website.

IP Australia administers patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder's rights.

Eligibility criteria

There are requirements for receiving patent protection or registering a trademark or design.

Broadly speaking, these revolve around the 'novel' or 'innovative' characteristics of whatever you are trying to protect.

Visit the IP Australia website for more information.

The Inventor's Guide from the Australian Institute for Commercialisation provides access to an online assessment to determine your position in the commercialisation process and guidance on completing the process. Templates and a project management workspace are also provided.

Eligibility criteria

Access to the service is free (subsidised by the Queensland Government) for Queensland residents. A charge applies for residents of other States.

For further information visit the Inventor's guide on the AIC website.

While the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) main responsibility is monetary policy, information provided by the RBA also includes statistics - for example on interest rates, exchange rates and money and credit growth - and a range of research discussion papers on topics such as currency hedging in foreign markets.

For more information visit www.rba.gov.au.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular information service.

Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit www.smartraveller.gov.au

SmartLicence is a one-stop-shop for all business licensing and information requirements. It provides free information packages containing Commonwealth, State and Local Government licences required to operate a business in Queensland.

Visit SmartLicence online for more information

Eligibility criteria

Nil 

For more information visit SmartLicence.