How to have a safe and happy work party

There will be parties for hosting, successes for toasting, and sharing in good cheer. If you’re celebrating the end of the year with your employees, it's important you consider work health and safety. Check out Business.gov.au for tips on how to celebrate safely.

Help customers shop smart this holiday season

The Australian Cyber Security Centre is encouraging Australians to be cyber-smart when shopping online this holiday season. Check out their 5 simple steps to help your customers minimise the cyber threats.

New grant for 'Tiny Towns'

The Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities in implementing tourism and community facility initiatives. It includes projects like splash parks, bike trails, playground enhancements, upgrades to community halls and libraries, public art installations, and more. The fund aims to strengthen community connections and attract visitors to Victoria's smallest towns.

Towards a National Jobs and Skills Roadmap

The Australian Government's inaugural Jobs and Skills Report 2023 provides an initial assessment of the national skills system and Australia’s current, emerging, and future skills needs.

Securing Customer Personal Data for Small to Medium Businesses

The Australian Cyber Security Centre has released a new publication, 'Securing Customer Personal Data for Small to Medium Businesses'. The publication provides guidance to help SMEs improve their data security, collection, and usage practices.

Key points on 'positive duty' in Sex Discrimination Act

From December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will have new powers to investigate and enforce ‘the positive duty’. This means that they can investigate small business owners that are not taking proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

Seniors and Veterans Cards go digital

Service Victoria has introduced digital Veteran and Seniors cards. The digital cards look the same as the physical cards making them recognisable in both forms. Customers can present the digital cards stored in the Service Vic app and businesses can simply scan the secure QR code

Reminder: don't pay for government grant information

Don’t get caught out by scams: the government will never ask you to pay for grant information. Business.gov.au tips can help you identify authentic government grant sources.

Free workshops to start, build and grow your business

This Christmas, give yourself a gift that will keep on giving – a workshop to help start, build, and grow your small business. While Business Victoria doesn't have workshops on sleigh riding or tree decorating, they do offer workshops and webinars across a wide range of topics for small businesses. These include business development, marketing, risk management, and more.

Visit the website to find a workshop near you or online.

Digital Solutions Program

As we approach the final month of the year, the Melbourne Innovation Centre is excited to announce the remaining in-person and online workshops. These sessions aim to provide Victorian small businesses with essential digital skills and tools, enabling them to thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Note: Enrollment in the Digital Solutions Program is required for businesses to join face-to-face and online workshops. Registration is free, and after logging into the portal, you can access the workshops.

Free business mentoring and support for the solar industry

Solar retailers and installers in the Solar Victoria program can register now for two FREE 45-minute one-on-one business mentoring sessions with Monarch Institute (RTO: 22530). Brian can help you work on your business, drawing from his areas of expertise, that include:
✅ Commercialisation and marketing
✅ Start-ups
✅ Business divestment
✅ Financial analysis and grants
✅ Business planning

It’s never too early to plan for a natural disaster.

Having a disaster recovery plan will allow you to adapt more quickly to change and minimise the risk of disruption to your business.
This Business Victoria toolkit can help your business build resilience, prepare for disasters, and make a plan for returning to normal operations as soon as possible.

Financial Assistance Hub

The Australian Banking Association urges small business owners to seek help instead of facing challenges alone. By reaching out to their banks early, they can receive faster assistance in navigating difficult economic conditions. The ABA has launched an updated Financial Assistance Hub, which offers a step-by-step guide to overcoming financial difficulties.