Business assistance and skills development

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 Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government agency that helps Australian companies to succeed in international business, attract productive foreign direct investment into Australia and promote Australia's education sector internationally.

Austrade is represented in more than 100 overseas locations in over 55 countries and through a network of offices in Australia. Austrade offers practical advice, market intelligence and ongoing support (including financial) to Australian businesses looking to develop international markets. Austrade also provides advice and guidance on overseas investment and joint venture opportunities, and helps put Australian businesses in contact with potential overseas investors.

Eligibility criteria

Austrade is a statutory agency under the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There may be eligibility requirements to participate in or access various Austrade programs.

For more information visit Austrade.

Austrade ICT is the Australian Government's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry network.

This site provides information to Australian technology companies looking to internationalise. Information is available on export ready programs, international market opportunities, assistance programs, as well as many other useful topics.

Eligibility criteria

Austrade is a statutory agency under the umbrella of the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are no eligibility criteria for accessing Austrade ICT.

For more information visit the Austrade ICT website.

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) works with entrepreneurs, businesses, research organisations and governments to identify opportunities to convert ideas or intellectual property into successful business outcomes.

Eligibility criteria

Nil

For more information about AIC and its assistance programs visit www.ausicom.com

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

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

The Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) is a national networking program aimed at promoting and developing export markets for innovative technology based products.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria apply to ATS membership which is targeted at Australian technologies with global marketing potential.

For more information about ATS, membership and benefits visit the ATS website.

The Australian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Limited provides a forum for industry participants to meet, to pursue topics of common interest, to promote local industry and to encourage investment in growing business enterprises. This site contains a range of useful tools for businesses as well as information ranging from attracting venture capital while starting a business through to exiting the business.

Eligibility criteria

This site provides access to a range of free resources as well as a number of fee-for-service initiatives.

Visit the AVCAL website at www.avcal.com.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

Commercialisation Australia is the Australian Government's primary source of assistance for commercialisation and is delivered by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Commercialisation Australia is a merit based, competitive assistance program that offers:

• Skills and Knowledge support to help build the skills, knowledge and connections required to commercialise new ideas. This includes up to $50,000 to pay for specialist advice and services.
• Experienced Executives: up to $200,000 over two years to engage experienced executives
• Proof of Concept grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to test the commercial viability of a product, process or service
• Early Stage Commercialisation repayable grants of $250,000 to $2 million to develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.

Eligibility criteria

The program is available to universities, other public sector research organisations, individuals and private enterprises.

For further information visit Commercialisation Australia.

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

ecoBiz Queensland is the Department of Environment and Resource Management's signature partnership program with Queensland business and industry. ecoBiz is a structured program that assists businesses to help make environmental and financial savings by implementing eco-efficient business practices.

Eligibility criteria

Any Queensland based company that is interested in improving their bottom line and reducing their environmental footprint may apply to join ecoBiz. ecoBiz participants must comply with all environmental legislation.

For more information go to ecoBiz Queensland.

Enterprise Connect is an Australian Government initiative in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research that provides support and services to eligible small-medium enterprises through its Manufacturing and Innovation Centres.

Services include business reviews, access to business advisors, tailored advisory services and grants to engage consultants to implement improvements identified in business reviews.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria include:

• possess an ACN and be solvent
• meet the relevant turnover or expenditure thresholds
• have filed a BAS for three consecutive years
• be a manufacturing and/or a manufacturing related service firm. Firms whose predominant business activity is software development or computer system design and related services are also eligible
• have not received similar assistance from other Government (Australian, State or Territory) programs within the past three years
• comply with its obligations under the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999. Note: The EOWWA currently applies to organisations with 100 or more employees.

For application information and full eligibility criteria go to Enterprise Connect. 

The Queensland Government's Export Master Classes provide in-depth information updates for exporters across a range of knowledge areas including best practice export strategies, intellectual property protection, negotiation skills, brand equity and financial strategies for export. Master classes are delivered by leading practitioners from commerce and industry and are designed to keep exporters at the cutting edge.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to register to attend these classes, you must be a Queensland registered business.

Click here for more information.

The Queensland Government's Getting Export Smart program is a practical, hands-on export training initiative designed to help Queensland based companies take up the export challenge in overseas markets. The workshop series, facilitated by experienced international export advisors from government and industry, provides skills in:

• preparing your business for export and choose the right partners
• effective marketing of your business in overseas markets
• pricing, freight, packaging and payment procedures
• e-business transactions and online internet marketing strategies.

The program will also link you to a dedicated client manager and agencies that can assist you to become a successful exporter.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to register for this valuable series of workshops, you must be a Queensland registered business.

Visit the Trade & Investment Queensland 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.

Mentoring panels, comprising individual successful exporters and specialist advisors, provide export-ready firms with tailored advice on market entry strategies and long-term export sustainability.

The Mentoring for Export (M4E) program is available through offices of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation across Queensland.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Mentoring for Export, your firm must have undertaken Mentoring for Growth and/or trade development programs.

Visit Mentoring for Growth for more information.

Mentoring for Growth (M4G) is a free panel mentoring process delivered by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation with the support of private sector business mentors.

The program assists enterprises that are in high/rapid growth mode by providing access to a panel of business mentors who can help to address commercial challenges.

Typically businesses that participate in M4G will:

• be experiencing strong growth and/or have clearly defined growth opportunities
• have an annual turnover of more than $500,000 and employ five or more staff (including owners, board members, managers and staff)
• have Queensland headquarters or significant Queensland operations
• be innovative companies with competitive opportunities in local and/or international markets

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Mentoring for Growth, your firm must be in a rapid growth phase or have the potential to be.

You can register at any stage of your company's business lifecycle, but you must be a Queensland business.

Visit Mentoring for Growth for more information.

Mentoring for Investment (M4I) assists businesses that have engaged in the M4G process to become investment ready in order to actively seek external capital. During M4I panel meetings, mentees present their investment attraction proposals to a panel of investment industry mentors for critique and suggestions before presenting to potential investors.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Mentoring for Investment, your firm must have undertaken Mentoring for Growth.

Visit Mentoring for Growth for more information.

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.

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 Sunshine Coast Business Accelerator is located within the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast and provides high-tech companies with an integrated package of office space, fast speed fibre access, meeting rooms, reception support, business services, executive coaching and strategic business planning and business development services.

For more information visit Business Accelerator

Eligibility criteria

For entry to the Business Accelerator the technology business will typically be:

• a growth oriented, for profit enterprise, typically with more than four and less than 20 full-time employees
• a business developing or commercialising innovative new technological products or services
• keen to be an active participant in Innovation Centre and university environment, including participation in networking activities
• beyond the start-up stage, typically will have been in business for at least two or three years and have a sustainable business model, good quality management team and established income streams
• keen to work with the University of the Sunshine Coast in the placement of work experience students and potentially in research activities.

For more details visit Innovation Centre.

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.

TradeStart is an Australian Government initiative that delivers Austrade services through public sector and industry organisations throughout Australia. TradeStart's advisors assist small and medium sized enterprises to develop export markets.

Austrade Services Include:

Client Services
If you're an Austrade client, you can take advantage of these enhanced personalised services:

• Selecting an export market 
• Developing a market strategy 
• Coaching
• Opportunity matching
• Industry-specific advice
• Trade missions / visiting the market

Business Club Australia
Provides business matching services and networking opportunities at major international events.

Export Awards
Showcases Australia's top exporters.

Export Grants
The Export Market Development Grants Scheme is a key assistance program for current and aspiring exports. 

Exporting Online
Helping Australian exporters to better understand and utilise the Internet to support and develop their export endeavours.

What you can do now to connect your business

• Join to receive free access to Austrade's export training modules
• Read the full guide to exporting
• Register on the Australian Suppliers Directory
• Register to attend events

For more information visit AusTrade's TradeStart.