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Welcome to your November edition of the Cardinia Business Newsletter!
Spring is in full swing, and so is the local business scene. This month’s newsletter is packed with exciting opportunities—from exhibitor registration for the 2026 Jobs and Skills Showcase to opportunities at our 2025 Carols by Candlelight.
We’ve also got updates on major infrastructure projects, free business coaching, upcoming training sessions, and a wide range of grants and support programs to help your business thrive.
Whether you're looking to grow, connect, or prepare for the busy summer season, there's something here for everyone. 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
Register now for the 2026 Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase!
Come and participate in the Cardinia Jobs and Skills Showcase on 18 March 2026 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre. Over half of the exhibitor spots are already taken. Interact with local job seekers, network with local businesses, present employment and training opportunities, and support career development in Cardinia Shire. Secure your spot now, as exhibitor fees will increase after 28 November 2025.
Invitation to participate - 2025 Cardinia Shire Carols by Candlelight
Expressions of interest are now open for local stallholders and vendors to join the 2025 Cardinia Shire Carols by Candlelight. Showcase your products or services at this community event. Join us for festive cheer, music, and community spirit. Enhance the event and gain exposure for your business, organisation, or group. Apply now!
Business Coaching Program
Local businesses are invited to join the Business Coaching Program provided by Council. This initiative offers tailored guidance and personalised assistance from skilled coaches in various industries. Participants can benefit from three free private consultation sessions, gaining impartial and confidential insights from experts.
Pakenham Revitalisation update
Cardinia Shire Council has officially broken ground on Stage 1 of the Pakenham Revitalisation Project, marking the beginning of a transformative journey to reimagine the town centre. The Stage 1 Main Street Gateway precinct works will include streetscape upgrades near the Pakenham train station line through to the Main Street roundabout and into Drake Place.
Have your say!
Join us in refining the draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy! Your feedback on vision, priorities, design guidelines, and local needs is vital. Let's shape a strategy that enhances Nar Nar Goon.
Consultation ends 12 December 2025.
Racecourse Road Upgrade
For updates, visit the 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.
Business events and training
Local opportunities
Small Business Bus is coming to Pakenham
The Small Business Bus will visit the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham on Monday, 24 November 2025. Offering free 45-minute one-on-one business advice sessions to help local businesses start, grow, or transform. Bookings are essential. Book here
Online training opportunities
Preparing for Victoria’s new workplace safety laws
Victoria's workplace safety laws will cover psychosocial hazards starting Monday, 1 December 2025, with leaders held personally accountable. Join Swinburne Edge's free webinar on November 25 with legal expert Andrew Douglas to assist managers in readiness.
Register here
Free session for new licensees
Attend a free online session on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, from 10am to 11am to learn about Victoria's liquor laws and your licensee responsibilities in the first year. Register now to save your spot.
Free online cyber security course
Designed for busy small business owners and employees, the courses are short, jargon-free and available in a range of formats to suit your learning style and your schedule. Register at Cyber Wardens
Social media and content marketing
Small business owners can attend a free webinar on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, to enhance their online presence through social media and content marketing. Topics include platform selection, content creation, Google Business Profile usage, and creating a customised marketing plan. Register via the Business Victoria website
Rural financial counselling service webinar
Learn how the Rural Financial Counselling service can help you, your business or your community build resilience through financial and wellbeing support. Register via email: lena@theagricollective.com.au
Introduction to lean and drought support business planning webinar
This online workshop is designed to help business owners and senior leaders in Victoria navigate the challenges of drought, economic shifts, and industry changes. Register to attend
Morning tea water webinars
Need help with water planning on your farm? Join us for an interactive webinar with practical tools and advice to help you develop a plan for your farm. Register to attend
Business Events
EnergyTech Challenge Showcase
Head to the Melbourne Town Hall for the free CivVic Labs showcase on Thursday, 20 November, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm to witness how technology is driving the shift towards renewable energy. Register to attend.
More information on events can be found on the Cardinia Business website.
Grants and financial support
Business Skills Mentoring program - The Business Skills Mentoring program will provide up to 1,000 eligible small business owners with 3 one-hour mentoring sessions to be used within 3 months.
Energy Innovation Fund – This program supports industrial electrification for businesses in the food and beverage processing and manufacturing sectors.
Digital Solutions Round 3 - This grant will help service providers deliver low-cost, high-quality advisory services to help small businesses adopt digital tools.
Digital Jobs Program – This program provides training to upskill leaders and workers in the construction and advanced manufacturing sectors with in-demand digital skills.
General Practitioners (GP) Grant Program – Funding is available to support doctors who specialise in general practice.
Wage subsidies – Hire eligible staff to get up to $10,000 in wage subsidies for ongoing roles, easing costs and boosting successful employment.
Primary production depreciating assets – Depreciate assets used in primary production and the special rules for working out the decline in value.
Small Business Skills and Training Boost – This initiative provides small businesses with a bonus tax deduction to help them train new staff and upskill existing staff.
Cheaper Home Batteries Program – The Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides households and small businesses with a discount on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale solar battery.
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Worker Retention Payment – This program provides worker retention payments to ECEC service providers to help increase their workers' wages.
Farm Drought Support Grants – These grants help primary production businesses with on-farm infrastructure improvements and essential activities during drought.
DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream – This program provides funding towards the purchase and/or installation of eligible fixed and portable DC EV chargers to automotive dealerships and EV repairers on their sites.
Victorian Trees on Farms Program – The Victorian Trees on Farms Program provides grants to rural landowners seeking to integrate trees into their land.
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
Victoria unveils new Wine Strategy to drive regional growth
The Victorian Government has launched a five-year Wine Strategy to grow the $9.5 billion wine sector by boosting regional jobs, innovation, sustainability, and global trade opportunities across the state’s 21 wine regions.
New strategy to back jobs and visitor economy
The Victorian Government has launched Visit Victoria 2030, a five-year strategy to grow tourism, create jobs, and boost Victoria’s visitor economy to $53.4B by 2030.
Tailored support to reduce mental injury in workplaces
The Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program, offers a complimentary and confidential service aimed at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in mitigating mental health risks and enhancing overall workplace wellness.
The BushBank Program
The BushBank Program restores native habitats in Victoria through large-scale revegetation on public and private land, creating economic opportunities for Traditional Owners in restoration and carbon markets.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners
Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free and confidential mental health coaching program designed to support small business owners and sole traders.
Changes to Responsible Service of Alcohol certificates for under 18s
Individuals under 18 can finish RSA training but cannot supply alcohol until they are 18. RSA certificates now have an 'Under 18' watermark and specify the date when they can legally provide alcohol, aligning with their 18th birthday.
Employment news
Create a more inclusive workplace with JobAccess
Did you know one in five Australians has a disability, but only half of those of working age have a job? That’s a large pool of talent businesses could be missing out on. JobAccess is the Australian Government’s free service that helps employers hire and support people with disability.
Chisholm is offering Ready, Set, Serve
Chisholm TAFE's Hospitality Essentials is a 3-day program designed for school leavers. It’s a practical way for young people to complete key compliance requirements and gain basic skills that support entry into casual hospitality roles.
Supporting cyber careers to protect Victorians
Victoria’s Cyber Internship Program returns in 2026, offering paid, hands-on training to free TAFE graduates to build skills and careers in cyber security and protect against growing threats.
Watch a video about the program
Mental Health Scholarship Program
Applications for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship program are now open for 2025-26. Financial support available for mental health nurses, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drug practitioners, and lived experience workers to advance their careers.
Thinking about hiring this holiday season
Getting ready for the holiday rush? There are a number of ways to hire staff for just the holiday season. Think about who you’ll need and for how long, then pick the hiring option that fits your festive plan.
Business operations and support initiatives
Is your business ready for summer?
The summer season is different for each business. It may be your busiest period or time to take a break, reflect on the year and set new goals. Either way, here are some hot tips to get your business ready for the summer.
Prepare your business for an emergency
Prepare for emergencies by securing insurance, using alarms, reviewing evacuation plans, and seeking support during disasters. Check insurance terms, maintain fire safety in high-risk areas, assign roles in evacuations, and stay informed about assistance for business owners during crises.
Read more on Business assistance for disasters and emergencies
Check your Liquor Licence renewal fee
Use Liquor Control Victoria's new fee estimator to find out how much it will cost to renew your liquor licence. If your renewal fee seems too high, you can make changes to your licence to help lower it. More information can be found at Liquor licence renewal fees and Reduce or waive liquor licence renewal fees
Act now to make your business resilient
A large part of regional Victoria has been identified as having an increased risk of fires in drought-affected areas during spring and summer 2025-2026. Now is the time to plan and prepare. Building resilience into your business operation can make all the difference if disaster strikes. Read about how to Act now to make your business resilient
Food safety for horticulture producers
Food safety and compliance standards for berries, leafy green vegetables, and melons have recently been introduced by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand into the national Food Standards Code. Previously, horticulture businesses were not under the regulation of food safety authorities for their growing operations; however, since February 2025, Agriculture Victoria regulates these businesses. View the Horticulture Standards Fact Sheet for more information.
Support Men’s Health in the Workplace
Prostate cancer affects one in five Aussie men, and diagnoses in younger men are on the rise. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Life Force Program offers free workplace presentations and resources to help businesses initiate the conversation and support their teams. Find out more or book your free online or in-person presentation.
Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you!
Send an email to business@cardinia.vic.gov.au or visit the Cardinia Business website.
