March offers various opportunities for local businesses in Cardinia Shire, including grants, workshops, and programs to support growth and development.
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March offers various opportunities for local businesses in Cardinia Shire, including grants, workshops, and programs to support growth and development.
Key highlights include the Cardinia Business Group Support Grants, the Cardinia Lean Business Series 2026, community feedback requests on the Education and Health Services Gap Analysis, and applications opening for the 2026 Cardinia Community Leadership Program.
Read about upcoming events like the Cardinia Jobs & Skills Showcase, free Business Coaching Program sessions, and online workshops covering essential topics such as marketing and grants. Explore funding opportunities from sources like the Cardinia Community Foundation grants, Victorian Digital Jobs Program participation, and Federal Industry Growth Program involvement.
Receive updates on apprentice employer incentive changes, workplace safety regulations changes, employment initiatives, business health assessments along with industry-specific resources to aid your business planning throughout 2026.
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
Cardinia Business Group Support Grants are now open!
Incorporated business and trader groups across Cardinia Shire can apply for funding to support local business growth, collaboration, events, training, and more.
If your group has an idea that strengthens our local business community, now’s the time to apply!
Applications close Friday, 3 April, at 5pm.
Are you ready to transform your business for the future?
The Cardinia Lean Business Series 2026 gives you practical tools and strategies to streamline operations, reduce waste, and build resilience in a rapidly changing economy.
Review the Draft Agribusiness Audit Report
The Draft Agribusiness Audit Report for Cardinia Shire offers a detailed look at the region's food and agriculture sector, based on input from 330 stakeholders. It outlines challenges like soil protection and opportunities such as workforce development. The council is hosting in-person events to gather feedback on the report and accept applications for a new advisory committee until mid-2026.
Education and Health Services Gap Analysis
Cardinia Shire is growing rapidly, and we want to make sure our community can access the education, health and social services it needs. To plan for the future, Council is completing an Education and Health Services Gap Analysis to understand where services are not keeping up and where improvements are most needed.
2026 Cardinia Community Leadership Program
The 2026 Cardinia Community Leadership Program is now open for applications, offering Cardinia Shire residents a fully funded opportunity to build leadership skills, deepen their understanding of local issues, and connect with other emerging leaders.
Racecourse Road Upgrade
For updates, visit Pakenham Road Upgrade page or contact Major Road Projects Victoria or subscribe at roadprojects.vic.gov.au/subscribe or text PKHM to 0499 073 073 for updates.
Staff Spotlight - Andrea Wintrip
Andrea joined Cardinia Shire Council in 2025 as Team Leader of Social and Economic Development and remains happily settled in the role. She has a strong focus on business growth and support, staff development, community engagement, and collaboration.
She has both public and private sector experience from the finance, arts and tertiary education industries, and her focus is to support the growth and success of Cardinia Shire’s economy, businesses, and people.
Andrea loves music and travel (next trip will be in Japan) and is happy to say that as an adult, ‘overseas’ definitely means further than Phillip Island!
Business events and training
Local opportunities
Cardinia Jobs & Skills Showcase 2026
Step into a world of opportunity at this exciting event where inspiration meets information to help you take the next step in your career journey.
Held on Wednesday 18 March from 9.15am – 12.00pm at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, the event will feature a range of exhibitors and information sessions to assist job seekers with information on current vacancies and career pathways.
The event is free to attend but bookings are required at https://www.trybooking.com/DHVXN
Business Coaching Program
Local businesses are invited to join Cardinia Shire Council’s Business Coaching Program, where they can receive tailored expert guidance and personalised support from matched coaches. Participants can benefit from three free one-on-one advice sessions, offering independent and confidential insights from industry experts.
2026 Lean Business Workshop – Smarter AI Use
Friday, 1 May, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Explore the Art of Revealing Challenges with AI Instead of Hiding Them. Participate in this workshop to learn how Lean principles can be incorporated into AI and automation workflows. Enhance decision-making through technology adoption, simplifying digital operations along the way.
Online training opportunities
Winning Government Grants and Tenders
Wednesday 11 Mar 2026, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Generating Cash Flow
Thursday 12 March, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Maximising your marketing
Monday 16 March, 10.00am - 12.00pm
Social Media and Content Marketing
Thursday 19 March, 10.00am - 1.00pm
Advanced Strategies to Taking Your Business Online
Thursday 26 March, 1.00-4.00pm
Starting Your Small Business
Monday 30 March, 6.00-9.00pm
Social Media and Content Marketing
Wednesday 1 April, 6.00-9.00pm
Cyber Security
Thursday 9 April, 1.00-3.00pm
Taking your business online
Tuesday 14 April, 6.00 - 9.00pm
More business webinars can be found on the Business Victoria website
Business Events
Study Melbourne Careers Fair
The Study Melbourne Careers Fair can help your business access skilled international students and graduates, widening your talent pool, filling skill gaps, boosting workplace diversity and increasing your visibility among job‑ready candidates. Free for employers, the fair runs from 10 am to 2 pm, Tuesday 24 March 2026.
More information on events can be found on the Cardinia Business website.
Grants and financial support
Cardinia Community Foundation
The Community Grants program aims to support applications that are beneficial to the community of the Cardinia Shire region. Grants of up to $10,000 are available.
Find out more about the program
Digital Jobs program
Take advantage of the Victorian Government's Digital Jobs program to upskill your team. Round 2 of the program is now open and providing fully-subsidised digital skills training for leaders and workers in the advanced manufacturing and construction sectors.
To find out more, please visit the Digital Jobs website.
Industry Growth Program
The program is for small and medium enterprises who have an innovative commercialisation and/or growth project that will help build manufacturing capability.
Looking for business grants and programs? Discover government grants, funding, and support for Australian businesses with the business.gov.au grants and programs finder. Answer questions to find eligible programs.
Government programs and announcements
Securing the future of agricultural trade
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are seeking feedback from agricultural export industries on proposed changes to fees and charges for their export regulatory activities outlined in draft export Cost Recovery Implementation Statements.
International Women's Day 2026
Celebrate International Women's Day with Business.gov.au! Explore grants, programs, and support for Australian women in business. Create an equal opportunity workplace today!
Employment news
Is your business facing skills shortages?
The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot assists businesses in filling job gaps by hiring skilled refugees through Talent Beyond Boundaries. The pilot, with 500 places, runs until June 30, 2026.
Support for employers of apprentices
As of 1 January 2026, eligible employers of Australian apprentices can access up to $5,000 paid in 2 instalments during the first year of the apprenticeship.
Changes to default super funds in awards
Default superannuation funds listed in some awards have changed as part of the Fair Work Commission’s Review of superannuation clauses in modern awards.
Got ideas on helping students get work experience?
Engage Victoria is seeking feedback on their School to Work program. Your feedback can help improve placements for students and local businesses.
Work safety: Know the latest
Keep on top of the latest federal work health and safety information with Safe Work Australia. The latest news includes a consultation on the review of the Asbestos Framework and a new code of practice for elevating work platforms.
Key tax and super dates for employers to remember in 2026
Stay on top of your business obligations this year with the Australian Taxation Office’s list of key dates and what to do.
Business operations and support initiatives
2026 Outlook: The year ahead for small businesses
Following the recent choice to raise the official cash rate, you may be curious about its implications for your business in 2026. Devika Shivadekar, an economist at RSM Australia, provides insights into the current state of the economy and its potential impact on you.
Small business health check to start the year
A small business health check means reviewing your finances, checking your marketing, and tracking your business performance. These steps help you understand how your business is going, spot problems early and plan for the year ahead.
The Knowledge Hub
The Knowledge Hub, housed on the AUSVEG website, is the largest online repository of technical information for the Australian vegetable, potato and onion sector. It contains more than 3,100 resources from more than 1,600 research projects (and growing).
Insights for Australian Vegetable Growers
Vegetable, onion, and fresh potato levy payers: learn more about your industry levies
The Hort Innovation website contains comprehensive details about the vegetable R&D levy, fresh potato R&D levy, and onion R&D and marketing levies to keep growers informed about their investments. Dedicated pages for each fund offer valuable information to growers.
Go to the Hort Innovation website
Making the most of 2026’s biggest sales
Thinking about running a sale? This 2026 sales guide helps you line up with the most talked-about shopping days throughout the year. Bookmark it now so you’re always ahead of the game.
Mentoring to grow your business
Take your business further in 2026 with the Business Skills Mentoring Program. Get expert guidance in 3 one‑hour sessions designed to help small business owners set goals, tackle challenges and grow. Apply by 5 pm Friday 27 March 2026.
Applying for a business loan
Are you thinking of applying for a business loan? It involves a lot more than just filling out a form. See Business.gov.au information on business loans for an overview of the different types of loans, tips on applying and more.
Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you!
Send an email to business@cardinia.vic.gov.au or visit the Cardinia Business website.
