Details for the Cardinia Business Breakfast announced!
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September 2026
This edition is packed with opportunities to help your business grow, connect and stay informed.
Join us for the Cardinia Business Breakfast this October, where leading economist, Ryan Felsman will share insights into the economic trends shaping our region's future, and also be among the first to see Council's new Invest Cardinia prospectus!
We're also inviting businesses, education providers and community organisations to register their interest in exhibiting at the 2027 Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase. It's a valuable opportunity to connect with local job seekers, promote your organisation and support workforce development across Cardinia Shire.
Inside this edition, you'll find upcoming workshops, training programs, grants and business support services, along with important updates on workplace laws, cybersecurity, taxation, sustainability and the latest government announcements affecting Victorian businesses.
Dive into this edition for all the details and make the most of these fantastic opportunities! If you have any enquiries, please contact us via email at business@cardinia.vic.gov.au.
Local news
Join us for our Cardinia Business Breakfast!
Join us for breakfast, network and hear from our keynote speaker Ryan Felsman, Senior Economist (Director), Business and Industry at Commonwealth Bank Australia.
Ryan will provide an economic forecast and practical insights into business conditions and the domestic and international events shaping our region’s economy, growth and investment opportunities.
Meet local businesses, industry and organisations, as we also include the launch of Council's Investment Attraction Prospectus, 'Invest Cardinia'.
Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Time: 6:45am to 9am
Venue: Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
Tickets: $50 per person or $450 for a table of ten people.
Places are limited. Book now to connect with local businesses and gain insights to support your business planning.
Exhibitor expressions of interest are now open
Secure your stall for the 2027 Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase. If you’re a local business, employer, education provider, employment service or community organisation, you're invited to submit an expression of interest.
Date: Wednesday 17 March 2027
Time: 10:30am-1pm (setup from 9:30am)
Venue: Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham
Cost: $30 for early-bird exhibitors (until 27/11/2026)
Pakenham Revitalisation: town centre upgrades continue
Stage 1 Main Street Gateway is nearing completion, with final concreting, landscaping, electrical works and lighting activation expected to be completed by mid-September 2026.
Stage 2 works are progressing in Drake Place, with upgrades to the eastern car park nearing completion. From 7 September, the eastern car park is expected to be reopened and works will commence on the road along Drake Place.
Find out more about upcoming traffic changes and available parking around the town centre, so you can continue to visit and support local businesses, while these important works are underway.
Calling for strong planning framework for battery storage projects
Council is formally objecting to a proposed Battery Energy Storage System in Bunyip North and is urging the Victorian Government to introduce a clear statewide framework for future battery storage developments.
We're advocating for a balanced approach that supports renewable energy while protecting agricultural land, green wedge values and local communities.
Business events and training
Local opportunities
Social Media and Content Marketing
Friday 16 October 2026 from 10am-1pm
This Business Victoria workshop is for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to master social media and create compelling content. More information coming soon.
Small Business Bus - Pakenham
Monday 23 November from 10am-4pm
The Small Business Bus provides advice and support for small businesses. Business advisors from Monarch Institute can help you with 1:1 tailored advice to help you start, build, or transform your small business. More information coming soon.
Online training opportunities
Business Victoria online
Learn new skills to start, build and grow your small business by attending a free Business Victoria webinar:
- Cyber Security - Wednesday 2 September from 1pm-3pm
- Social Media and Content Marketing - Wednesday 2 September from 5:30pm-8:30pm
- Taking Your Business Online - Friday 4 September from 10am-1pm
- Maximising Your Marketing - Tuesday 8 September from 6:30pm-8:30pm
- Maximising Your Marketing - Monday 14 September from 1pm-3pm
- Social Media and Content Marketing - Tuesday 15 September from 10am-1pm
- Starting Your Small Business - Tuesday 15 September from 6pm 9pm
- Advanced Strategies to Taking Your Business Online - Wednesday 16 September from 10am-1pm
State Revenue Office
Free education sessions about Victoria’s taxes, duties and grants. Your can find more events on their events webpage.
- Lodging unclaimed money - Tuesday 1 September from 11:30am-12:30pm
- Introductions to payroll tax - 8 September from 10am-11:30am
- Payroll tax - Fringe benefits - Thursday 10 September from 10:30am-11:30am
Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Victoria delivers a range of online courses, webinars and industry events specifically targeted towards the agriculture industry.
- Farm fire preparedness webinar - Wednesday 2 September from 7pm - 8:15pm
- Agri-food Export Essentials - This 4-part series covers export fundamentals and trade-specific modules to build confidence.
- Export Development Program - Agriculture Victoria partnered with Export Connect to deliver tailored export strategy webinars for small, niche and emerging agribusinesses.
Business events
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and WorkSafe Victoria (Online)
Friday 18 September from 10:30am-11:30am
Join the Victorian Chamber and WorkSafe Victoria for a practical webinar designed to help employers create safer workplaces, support their people and improve return-to-work outcomes.
Agriculture Victoria Managing the spring break (Warragul)
Wednesday 21 October from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Join a farm consultancy presentation and farmer-led discussion focused on preparing for the spring season.
More information on events can be found on the Cardinia Business website.
Grants and assistance programs
Shop Local Business Fund
The fund provides $5,000 grants to business associations and local councils to deliver initiatives that support Victorian small businesses and the contributions they make to communities.
Applications for the Shop Local Business Fund will open on Thursday 3 September 2026.
Multicultural Business Skills Fund Grant Program
The Fund provides $5,000 grants to business associations for projects that help diverse small business owners and their workers develop their business skills.
Applications for the Multicultural Business Skills Fund are now open.
Switch to green energy to save money.
Want to cut energy bills and make your business more sustainable? The Victorian Energy Upgrades program offers discounts and rebates on energy-efficient appliances and equipment.
Amex Shop Small Grants program
American Express is partnering with Mainstreet Australia to support small businesses to grow, innovate and support their local communities through the Amex Shop Small Grants program, offering up to 100 grants nationwide.
Want to improve your digital skills?
The Digital Solutions program offers small businesses and sole traders up to 5 hours of one-on-one advice for a small fee. You can also access workshops, webinar presentations and self-directed tutorials on AI, digital marketing, cybersecurity, business software and selling online.
Looking for business grants and programs? Cardinia Shire Council Grant Finder is a free tool that consolidates grants from the Australian Government, Victorian Government, and Cardinia Shire Council. Register to get email alerts for new grants, save favourites, and access application tips.
Government announcements
H5 bird flu: current situation
Agriculture Victoria is continuing surveillance and reporting of H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in wild birds across the state. While H5 bird flu has been detected in wildlife, it has not been detected in poultry and has not become established anywhere in Australia. From 20 August 2026, Victoria has aligned with the national reporting framework and now reports bird flu “events” rather than individual detections
Changes to surcharging rules
From 1 October 2026, the Visa, Mastercard and eftpos card networks can introduce ‘no surcharge’ rules for businesses that accept payments made with prepaid, debit and credit cards from each network. When they introduce 'no surcharge' rules, this means businesses cannot charge customers a surcharge for these payment types.
New ATO tax essentials for tradies
The ATO has launched Building and construction tradies – tax essentials (TaxTools4Tradies). Find clear guidance on your obligations, tips to help avoid common mistakes, links to useful tools and training, and support options if you're struggling to meet your obligations.
Help improve environmental guidance for small businesses
EPA Victoria wants to make environmental rules easier for small businesses to understand. Take a quick survey to help shape new digital learning resources that will make it easier to understand and meet environmental responsibilities.
Workplace updates
Why equal pay matters
Fair pay isn’t just good practice; it’s good for business. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has free resources to help small businesses understand equal pay, reduce bias and build fairer workplaces.
Changes to parental leave pay
From 1 July 2026, families can get 130 days of Parental Leave Pay. This is an increase from 120 days.
Learn more about payment during parental leave or use the Fair Work Ombudsman's parental leave best practice guide to help develop practical, flexible and tailored parental leave policies and support employees accessing the leave.
Don’t overlook missed breaks
If an employee misses a meal break, taking it at another time isn’t always the only outcome. Some awards and enterprise agreements provide extra payment (e.g. penalty rates) when employees miss out on their meal break. Check break entitlements under common awards on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Small business employers can receive free, written, tailored advice on breaks and other workplace entitlements from the Fair Work Ombudsman Employer Advisory Service.
Are your employees paid correctly?
This year’s increase to the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages is now in effect, so you’ll need to ensure you’re paying employees correctly.
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator and pay guides to check you’re meeting your obligations.
Preventing workplace sexual harassment
Everyone in a workplace has responsibilities to prevent sexual harassment.
Do you know that the Fair Work Ombudsman updated website content can help employers and businesses identify the steps they can take to protect their workers and their business? This includes how to respond appropriately to a report or complaint and where to seek the appropriate support services.
Business operations
How would the proposed WFH legislation affect your business?
The Victorian Chamber is seeking feedback from Victorian businesses on the proposed work-from-home legislation. Your input will help shape their advocacy and ensure employers’ views are represented in discussions with government and policymakers. Complete the survey
Mental health support for business owners
Find urgent and long-term mental health support for business owners and advisers. Access free and confidential mental health support for business owners.
Free cybersecurity support for small businesses
Running a small business can keep you busy, but cybersecurity is worth paying attention to. If something goes wrong, IDCARE offers free support for eligible small businesses, including cyber advice, health checks and recovery help. Get help!
Is your website secure? Cyber actors targeting CMS
The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) is warning businesses about an exploitation campaign targeting website content management systems (CMS). A compromised website can lead to defacement, data theft, malicious redirects, and brand misuse. Take action now to protect your website.
Tips to help you spot a scam
Scammers are targeting small businesses through emails, texts, calls, social media and fake websites. Learn the warning signs to protect your money and information, including suspicious links, urgent payment requests and fake messages from trusted organisations. Find out what to do if you think you've been targeted.
AHRC Small Business Hub
All businesses must comply with the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act. The Australian Human Right Commission’s (AHRC) small business hub gives small business owners and managers easy access to the information and support they may need.
Using AI for help with workplace laws
If you use artificial intelligence (AI) to help you understand your workplace obligations, you should know its limitations. Learn more about using AI for help with workplace questions
Thinking of starting a child care business?
Running a service involves more than delivering care. It also includes legal and administrative responsibilities under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Family Assistance Law. Before offering care, understand the approval requirements.
Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you!
Send an email to business@cardinia.vic.gov.au or visit the Cardinia Business website.
