3 September 2026

In this edition of Business Link - Wellbeing Economy Business Fund opens soon, advertise in the Official Visitor Guide, new state funding for small businesses and farmers and lots of business support and training.

News

Prepare your pitch for the Wellbeing Economy Business Fund

Council invites local businesses, trader and farmer groups, business associations, First Nations enterprises, and aspiring entrepreneurs to apply for grants of up to $5,000 through the new Wellbeing Economy Business Fund.

Council established the Wellbeing Economy Business Fund to back practical, business-led ideas that strengthen local capability and build a thriving economy that's good for our people, places and environment. Projects need to deliver a real, direct benefit to local businesses and to our community.

We're looking for projects that create a multiplier effect and leave a lasting legacy. Strong applications are likely to:

• Bring businesses together to tackle a shared challenge
• Trial a new approach and share the lessons with others
• Create shared resources or equipment multiple businesses can use
• Improve accessibility for customers, staff or visitors
• Build lasting skills, partnerships or local supply networks
• Support First Nations-led enterprise and priority communities.

Full program and assessment guidelines will be published on Council's website in the coming weeks.

Applications will be open from 21 September to 9 October 2026.

To discuss your project idea, contact the Business Team on (03) 5471 1745 or business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Are you looking to attract more visitors to boost your business?

Advertising opportunities are now open for the 2027-2028 Castlemaine, Maldon and Surrounds Official Visitor Guide.

As the shire’s flagship tourism publication, the guide will be produced as an A5 booklet with 30,000 copies printed and distributed over a two-year period through Visitor Information Centres in Castlemaine, Maldon and across Victoria, local businesses, key visitor hot spots around the shire, as well as via direct mailouts across Australia.

Businesses can choose from a range of affordable advertising options, from a 1/5-page template ad ($415 inc. GST) to a full-page designed ad ($1,240 inc. GST), with advertising rates maintained at 2019 pricing.

This is a valuable opportunity to showcase your business to visitors planning their visit and experiencing our region.

A first for Mount Alexander shire: Training and Skills Fair connects talent

Around 200 people gathered yesterday at Castlemaine Town Hall for the inaugural Training and Skills Fair. This marked the first time Mount Alexander shire has hosted such a comprehensive range of education, training and employment organisations in one place.

The event successfully connected community members with career guidance, apprenticeships and trades qualifications. Attendees explored earn-and-learn pathways, alongside higher education and vocational opportunities in building, hospitality and community services.
A key feature of the day was a series of practical workshops. These sessions provided attendees with hands-on advice and skill-building exercises, ensuring local job seekers are confident and ready for the workforce.

With many employers actively seeking qualified staff, the Fair provided a timely platform to help bridge the regional workforce gap. Demand for direct business support was also strong, with the Small Business Bus fully booked and strong interest in local scholarships from Community Bank Maldon and District.

To discover more about local training and skills providers and to tap into local resources, contact our Business Team at business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

State support continues for drought-affected Victorian farmers 

The state government has today confirmed at least $67 million in further funding to continue the Victorian Farm Business Resilience Program and Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program through to 2029.

The Farm Business Resilience Program gives farmers practical skills to make informed decisions on their farms. Farmers can learn more about profitable decision-making, drought preparedness, farm management, and a range of other topics through a mix of short courses, workshops, webinars, field days and farm walks. 

The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program helps communities turn local drought plans into action. This will help communities, local government, industry and regional organisations deliver projects that strengthen drought and climate preparedness and build resilience for the future. 

Aboriginal business networks and support

Victorian businesses can connect with First Peoples business networks for support.

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce is the leading Victorian organisation dedicated to supporting First Peoples business owners in Victoria. Their focus is on changing First People's lives through a strength-based model of business ownership and participation in the Victorian economy.

Ngarrimili was established to nurture and support business and entrepreneurship opportunities amongst First Peoples communities across Victoria. They work with businesses, artists and creatives through tailored, culturally informed support.

Psychs on Bikes visit Castlemaine

Psychs on Bikes is a volunteer organisation of motorcycle-riding mental health professionals who support rural and remote communities across Australia by starting conversations about mental health awareness and providing free health checks.

Their engaging presentation, using their motorcycles as a talking point, is designed to offer strategies for overcoming challenges and for helping a friend or a relative experiencing tough times. Get a quick health check with a nurse or have a chat with a mental health practitioners about how you are travelling.

When: Tuesday 15 September 2026, 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Where: Castlemaine RSL, 36 Mostyn St
Cost: Free

Funding

New grants to help Victoria's small businesses grow

The state government has announced two new grant programs that will deliver funding for local business associations and trader groups. 

• Multicultural Business Skills Fund Grant Program 

How much: $5,000 to business associations, trader groups and industry organisations for projects that help diverse small business owners and their workers develop their business skills. 
For what: Funding can be used to deliver projects that provide training and mentoring.
Applications close: 28 September 2026.

• Shop Local Business Fund

How much: $5,000 to business associations to deliver initiatives that support Victorian small businesses, and the contributions they make to communities.
For what: Funding can be used to deliver projects including local business expos and awards, shop local campaigns, online promotions, workshops and mental health and wellbeing initiatives. 
Applications close: 30 September 2026.

Offset your R&D costs

The Research & Development (R&D) Tax Incentive program can help small businesses reduce the cost of developing new products, services, processes or technologies. Eligible companies with annual turnover under $20 million may receive a refundable tax offset on approved R&D activities, helping improve cash flow while supporting innovation and business growth. The program is available across all industries and requires businesses to register eligible activities and claim through their tax return.

Training

Spots still available for free training in Castlemaine to build safer, more confident businesses

Council and VicHealth have partnered to offer the Safer Business Initiative, a community-led pilot program working to prevent aggression and violence in customer-facing businesses.

Safer Business Initiative free training will provide local businesses with practical knowledge and solutions that can create safer workplaces, reduce alcohol-related harm and strengthen community confidence.
This training is facilitated by Victoria Beresford from Trust Culture. She is a former NSW Police Inspector and workplace aggression and violence specialist.

When: Monday 21 September 2026, 11.00am - 12.30pm
Where: Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine
Cost: Free

ATO small business masterclasses

Designed to complement the Australian Tax Office's free online courses, these one-hour sessions give you direct access to experienced ATO staff. Over the next couple of months the following topics will be covered:

• Claiming small business tax deductions
• eInvoicing
• Cash flow for small business success
• Claiming home-based business tax deductions
• Super guarantee employer obligations
• Starting a small business
• Record keeping
• Recording business income and expenses
• Goods and services tax (GST)
• Using your business money and assets
• Fringe benefits tax (FBT)
• Hiring and paying workers
• Tax time essentials: how to successfully report, pay & lodge correctly

When: Multiple dates through to the end of the year
Where: Online
Cost: Free

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Mount Alexander Shire Council
Email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au  Website: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges that the traditional custodians of this
land, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, proudly survive. We acknowledge their continued practice of custom and their close cultural, spiritual, physical, social, historical and economic relationship with the land and waters that make up
their country, which includes Mount Alexander Shire.