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

AusTender provides centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans, multi-use lists and contracts awarded. Businesses can register their area of business interest in an AusTender profile and receive free automatic notification via email of the latest opportunities as they are published.

The site also provides links to Australian Government procurement policy documents and guidelines to assist in understanding the procurement environment.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit AusTender.

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

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.

Business.gov.au is a Federal Government service providing essential information on planning, starting and growing your business. This portal also provides a 'Grants & Assistance Finder' that includes Australian, State and Territory grants and assistance.

For more information visit www.business.gov.au

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information visit www.business.gov.au

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

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the vital foundation for sustainable and healthy remote economies.

The $10 million Desert Knowledge Australia Outback Business Networks project gives small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) across desert Australia the opportunity to:

• Save time accessing information and contacts
• Connect with people across industry, regions and Outback Australia
• Reduce cost through shared marketing, training and purchasing
• Increase revenue through collaboration

Eligibility criteria

Applicable to businesses in North West and Central West Queensland.

For more information visit Outback Business Network Project.

Digital Business is an Australian Government website provided by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Its purpose is to provide information, resources and ideas to maximise the benefits of participating in the local, national and global digital economy, particularly for small to medium businesses and community organisations.

For information on how to establish or enhance an online presence, visit the website.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

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.

The Queensland Government (through the Department of Public Works), has established the Government Information Technology Contracting Framework (GITC V5) as the cornerstone of Government procurement for ICT products and services.

The GITC is administered by GITC Services which works closely with both government agencies and the ICT industry to simplify the purchasing process.

The GITC terms and conditions are designed to remove uncertainties and inconsistencies in contractual procurement arrangements. 

Eligibility criteria

For information on the accreditation procedure and further details visit www.qgm.qld.gov.au/gitc .

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.

The Queensland Government Chief Information Office (QGCIO) facilitates ICT industry presentations to Queensland Government agencies. The QGCIO has developed a simple application process for ICT suppliers wishing to promote their products, services or emerging technologies, or outline ICT best practice to Queensland Government agencies.

Eligibility criteria

To be able to present to Government, ICT suppliers must be accredited under Government Information Technology Contracting (GITC) V5.

Visit the QGCIO at Presenting to Queensland Government Agencies.

The Queensland-Wide Innovation Network (Q-WIN) integrates and enhances existing innovation and commercialisation services, providing resources and facilitation linkages for the network across Queensland.

Q-WIN also supports businesses through:

• Innovation coaches - providing intensive coaching to help eligible businesses and industry to innovate
• Regional innovation support funding - assisting regional clients to access services in Southeast Queensland
• The Innovation Toolbox - providing an on-line roadmap and directory to help businesses navigate their way through innovation programs and services.
  
  

Eligibility criteria

For more information visit the Q-WIN 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 provides a practical guide to help businesses navigate selling to Government agencies.

This guide provides insight and guidance on how the government market works, the rules that apply when the Government buys from the private sector, where to find business opportunities and how to win government business.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Find out more about Selling to the Australian Government - A Guide for Business.

Austrade's Small Business Support Line provides an initial single point of contact to access information and referral services that assist small businesses including business start up information, banking, finance, accounting and marketing, advertising, small business counselling and information technology.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

Read the full list of services

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.

Austrade, the Australian Government's trade and development agency, provides an on-line step-by-step guide for companies considering exporting.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information about export assistance go to Export Assistance.

Delivered by the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, TechClinics aim to assist the development of innovation and technology in SMEs through targeted collaborative R&D projects with the research sector.

TechClinics promote the adoption of innovation and technology to solve problems for firms, and build new industry value chains and networks.

For more information visit TechClinics

Eligibility criteria

There are no eligibility requirements.

For more information visit www.ausicom.com.

The TechFast program is delivered by the AIC and supported by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).

The program assists small-to-medium enterprises across all industry sectors to remain competitive by identifying and linking businesses with the right people and organisations to solve product or service issues, identify technical capability and identify new growth opportunities.

Eligibility criteria

There are no eligibility requirements to access the AIC website which contains information about the various AIC programs. For more information about AIC and its assistance programs visit www.ausicom.com.

The new Queensland Government Towards Q2 through ICT Strategy is the Queensland Government's five year strategy for government ICT. The priorities and targets identified within the Strategy address the government's recognition that ICT is a key enabler for achieving many of the outcomes targeted in Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland, in responding to the Right to Information report and in enhancing service delivery and engagement of the population into the future.

Find out more about Towards Q2 through ICT.

Eligibility criteria

There are no eligibility requirements to access this site.

For more information visit the Towards Q2 through ICT website