👨💻 Business Breakfast | 👨💼 Cardinia Leadership Program | 👩🏫 Workshops | 💰 Government grants | 📢 Announcements | 💼 Employment updates | 💙 Business support
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Welcome to the April 2025 edition of the Cardinia Business Newsletter!
This month, we're excited to bring you a wealth of opportunities and insights designed to help your business thrive. From an upcoming Cardinia Business Breakfast on AI with renowned futurist Steve Sammartino to the highlights of our recent Jobs and Skills Showcase, there's something for everyone.
Dive into our comprehensive programs and workshops, including business coaching, leadership development, and digital marketing enhancements. Plus, discover the latest grants and funding opportunities, crucial government announcements, and essential updates on employment laws. Don't miss out on our expert tips for managing business debts, boosting sustainability, and resolving disputes. Read on to unlock the full potential of your business!
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
Business Breakfast
Embracing AI: Small Steps, Big Impact for Your Business
Join us for an insightful business breakfast where we’ll explore the transformative power of AI.
Discover how AI can positively impact your business through real-world examples and practical advice from futurist and author Steve Sammartino.
Learn how to take courageous, small steps in adopting new technologies that complement and enhance your existing business practices. Let’s unlock the potential of AI together!
- Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
- Time: 6.45am - 9.00am
- Location: Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
- Tickets: $45.00 ea or $410.00 for a table of 10
Sponsorship opportunities available
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event and include options for businesses to showcase your brand through event signage, promotional materials, and speaking slots.
Sponsors can also benefit from networking with key industry leaders and gaining visibility among potential clients and partners. This is a great chance to enhance your company's profile and build valuable connections.
To discuss the options available, please phone 1300 787 624 or email business@cardinia.vic.gov.au
And that’s a wrap on our 2025 Jobs and Skills Showcase!
The Jobs and Skills Showcase on 26 March at Cardinia Cultural Centre brought together over 400 participants, including 55 exhibitors from various industries.
Over 150 attendees joined workshops on CVs, cover letters, and interviews. We partnered with Workforce Australia, Chisholm Jobs and Skills Centre, Star News Group, and First National Real Estate for this event.
Cardinia Business Coaching Program
We're excited to invite Cardinia Shire businesses to join our Business Coaching Program. Our experienced coaches are ready to help your business thrive with their local knowledge and industry expertise. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to grow and succeed!
2025 Cardinia Community Leadership Program!
Applications are now open for the 2025 Cardinia Community Leadership Program! This fully funded, 6-month program by Cardinia Shire Council runs from May to October. Participants will enhance their community leadership skills to become more effective leaders in local groups, schools, organisations, or neighbourhoods.
Update on Pakenham Roads Upgrades
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.
Workshops
Business Plan Accelerator Workshop
Join us for the FREE Business Plan Accelerator Workshop on 28 and 29 April! This workshop is tailored for business owners looking to fast-track the development of their business plans and achieve their individual objectives. Don't miss this opportunity to boost your business!
Masterclasses to support small businesses
The Australian Taxation Office has an online learning platform designed by small businesses for small businesses: Essentials to strengthen your small business. This program provides free and professional courses to support small businesses improve their tax, super and business management knowledge.
Increase your online visibility with workshops and mentoring
The Digital Solutions Program offers mentoring, workshops, and courses to small businesses and start-ups to help improve their digital marketing. Learn about Google Ads, search engine optimisation and more with free workshops and webinars, 20 short courses and a paid one-on-one mentoring program.
Small business cyber security course
Cyber Wardens have put together a 5-step course program to help small businesses remain cyber-safe in 2025. This program has been designed to support business owners who are unfamiliar with cyber security and help them prevent, identify and respond to a cyber attack.
Human rights and equality courses
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission courses are delivered face-to-face or live online, and offer individuals or small teams an opportunity to deepen their understanding of human rights and equal opportunity issues.
More information on events can be found on the Cardinia Business website.
Business grants
Safeguarding livestock from pests and disease
Victorian Government grant
Organisations can use the 2025 Livestock Biosecurity Funds to adopt emerging technologies to respond to unsolved livestock biosecurity issues, encourage collaboration where possible, and provide measurable benefits to livestock and beekeeping industries.
Return to Work Innovations
Victorian Government grant
This program provides funding to trial new initiatives that improve return to work outcomes for Victorian workers.
Distillery Support
Victorian Government grant
This program provides rebates to Victorian distilleries to help them invest in equipment and infrastructure to improve safety in distilleries.
Stronger Communities Programme
Australian Government grant
The Stronger Communities Programme (Round 9) provides each Federal electorate with $150,000 to fund small capital projects. Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) identify potential projects and invite applications from their electorate.
Social Enterprise Capability Building Grants
Australian Government grant
This program provides funding to social enterprises to help them become more efficient and effective in delivering social benefits to vulnerable Australians.
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 announcements
What does the Budget mean for your business?
The 2025-26 Budget was announced on 25 March. Find out what's available and what it means for your business.
Mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct
The code mandates written agreements, lawful conduct, and supplier protection for supermarkets and wholesalers. From April 1, 2025, it applies to retailers and wholesalers earning over $5 billion annually, automatically protecting their suppliers.
Small business benchmark
The ATO has updated its small business benchmarks. These benchmarks aim to help small businesses get it right and meet their tax obligations
Protect your business and staff from cyber threats
The Australian Cyber Security Centre outlines the simple steps you can take right now to protect your small business
Employment news
Changes to casual employment
Eligible casual employees can now provide written notice to their employer to change to full-time or part-time employment under the employee choice pathway.
An employer can only refuse the notice for certain reasons. This came into effect on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
Download the new casual employment template to help you meet the new rules.
Looking to improve your business' recruitment process?
Workforce Australia is a national hub that provides free information and services to help businesses advertise job vacancies, hire staff, find a provider and access financial support.
Business support initiatives
Free advice on how to manage your debts
The Small Business Debt Helpline is a free service for small business owners to help manage their debts. You can call the helpline from 9 am to 5.30 pm AEST, Monday to Friday, to speak with a qualified financial counsellor.
6 tips to help businesses avoid financial difficulties
Financial Counselling Victoria shares 6 tips for businesses facing financial difficulties. You can take steps today if you are worried about the financial health of your business.
Ways to develop good financial procedures
Read about how good financial procedures can help minimise financial difficulties in the future. Through budgeting and record-keeping, you’ll be able to track how your business is performing.
Franchisors, franchisees and the FDR
Franchisors must list and update their franchise systems on the Franchise Disclosure Register (FDR). This helps prospective and current franchisees understand franchise arrangements. If you're considering becoming a franchisee, review the FDR for all relevant facts before committing.
Improve your sustainability and environmental efforts
There are many small actions you can take to reduce your environmental impact. Check out these 4 ways you can improve your sustainability and environmental efforts.
How to prevent and manage disputes
The Victorian Small Business Commission outlines 6 ways you can de-escalate a dispute.
Your first year in business
By addressing any challenges early, you increase your business’s chance of success in the first 12 months and beyond. Here are 5 common challenges you may face as a new business owner and tips to overcome them.
Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you!
Send an email to business@cardinia.vic.gov.au or visit the Cardinia Business website.
