Rural Aid Australia
Rural Aid aims to provide critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, well-being and fodder assistance. The program offers free, confidential counselling to Rural Aid registered farmers and their family. Rural Aid's counsellors are trained to help their communities with a range of services, from early intervention and health promotion, right through to treatment using evidence-based interventions. Find out more at Home - Rural Aid - Supporting Rural Communities
Small Business Income Tax Offset
The Small Business Income Tax Offset (also known as the Unincorporated Small Business Tax Discount) can reduce the tax you pay by up to $1,000 each year. The offset is worked out on the proportion of tax payable on your business income. To be eligible, you must be carrying on a small business as a sole trader, or have a share of net small business income from a partnership or trust. Learn more at Small business income tax offset | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
Small Business Technology Investment Boost
This program aims to support digital adoption by small businesses by providing a bonus tax deduction for eligible expenditure incurred on expenses and depreciating assets that support digital operations. It forms part of the $1.5 billion tax relief announced in the 2022-23 Federal budget to support small businesses to go digital and upskill their employees.
Check if you can claim a 20% bonus deduction on technology expenditure to help digitise your small business by visiting Small business technology investment boost | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
Grant Guru
Are you looking for ways to boost your community or business? Do you need funding to support your innovative ideas and projects? Then, you should join Grant Guru!
Grant Guru is a program that helps communities and businesses get the funding they need to make their dreams a reality. Whether you are a small business owner, a non-profit organisation or a community group, Grant Guru can help you find the right grants and funding opportunities for your needs.
By registering for Grant Guru, you will gain access to a wealth of resources and tools, including:
- A comprehensive database of grants and funding opportunities, updated daily
- Personalised grant recommendations based on your needs and goals
- Expert advice on grant applications and proposals
- Access to webinars and workshops on grant writing and funding strategies
- But that's not all! By joining Grant Guru, you will also be part of a vibrant community of like-minded individuals and organisations who are passionate about making a positive impact on their communities.
We invite you to join us and take advantage of this unique opportunity to build your community or business. It's easy to register for Grant Guru – simply visit our website and sign up today, https://lismore.grantguru.com.au/.
Together, we can create a better future for ourselves and our communities. Join Grant Guru and let's make it happen!
If you have a Service NSW Business Profile, you can now log in to access the NSW Grants and Funding Finder – a one-stop shop for business owners to locate all the support you’re eligible for. Forty different grants, savings, rebates and budget relief initiatives from various government websites can be found in one easy-to-search hub.
Lismore City Council staff are also available to discuss projects and provide letters of support for grant applications where applicable. To arrange a time, email: business@lismore.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6625 0500.
Business Connect
Business Connect supports NSW businesses as they navigate the challenges in starting up, running, adapting and growing their business. Get independent business advice, practical insights and business skills training on a range of topics for your small business.
A warm Northern Rivers welcome to newly appointed Business Connect Advisor Christine Berry, who has taken over from Gary Wheatstone. Christine brings a wealth of small business knowledge and experience, having worked in the sector for 20 years, including running her own businesses. She’s the author of Conscious Business Principles and believes all leaders can create a culture where their staff thrive and love to come to work. Christine centres her advisory around a results-focused mindset, and has many practical results-driven tools to help you develop and drive your business goals.
Book a free business advisory session with Christine. Go to https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/business-connect/advisors/k90ha2zshm, email her at ChristineBe@nortec.org.au or phone Christine direct on 0437 822 499.
Eligible NSW businesses can access up to 36 hours of fully subsidised support. For businesses impacted by COVID-19, Business Connect services, including advisory sessions, are free – see eligible fees for more detail.
Visit Service NSW Business Connect to find out how Business Connect can support you. You can also access information on events, webinars, workshops and on demand webinars, as well as find resources on practical tips and insights.
Here’s some of February’s free online webinars
Keeping up with the latest trends to drive success
It’s important to keep up with trends and changes to give your business the best chance of success. Business.gov.au has outlined some trending topics for 2024 to help you plan for the upcoming year, including AI, sustainability and cyber security. Learn more here: Business trends for 2024 | business.gov.au
The Service NSW Business Bureau
Service NSW for Business has become the Service NSW Business Bureau.
The Service NSW Business Bureau provides free, ongoing and personalised support for every stage of your business.
The Business Bureau helps businesses access government services, information and advice to support them to grow in the NSW economy.
Businesses can:
- talk to a Business Concierge over the phone, in person or online
- get advice from an independent advisor and access a range of events, webinars and online resources through Business Connect
- engage with a multicultural advisor for in-language support or get culturally appropriate advice from the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative (ABAI)
- create a Business Profile to make it easier to manage government transactions and business licences
- download the free Service NSW Business Bureau app to access support on the go.
For more information call 137 788 or visit service.nsw.gov.au/business.
No smoking means no vaping
Did you know that everywhere smoking is banned, vaping is too?
The ban includes areas such as shopping centres, cinemas, public transport stops and platforms, outdoor dining areas, sports grounds, playgrounds and many other spaces.
Make sure your workers and customers know the rules by displaying 'No Smoking means No Vaping' posters free from NSW Health. Order free posters today!
Download a copy here(PDF, 83KB)
Rural Small Business Financial Counselling
The Rural Business Support Program is an independent financial counselling service available to small businesses in regional centres who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, financial hardship. If your small business is going through a difficult period, reach out to your local counsellor on 1800 344 090 or connect at www.rfcsnr.org.au
My Future Workforce
Find local staff on My Future Workforce. With a unique job matching approach on the Northern Rivers My Future Workforce platform, employers will only receive applications from the best suited candidates, reducing the time needed to find the right person for the job. To find out more about linking local employers with suitable job seekers and service providers visit www.northernrivers.myfutureworkforce.com.au
Launch into Work Program
Launch into Work trials pre-employment projects that support job seekers to increase their skills, experience and confidence. Projects are co-designed with employers, jobactive providers, registered training organisations and other stakeholders to ensure both employer and job seeker needs are met. If you are interested in co-designing a pre-employment project that includes training, mentoring and work experience, and can commit to employing job seekers who successfully complete the project, please register your interest by contacting the Employer and Workforce Strategies Team at workforce@dese.gov.au or visit www.dese.gov.au/launch-work for additional information.
Workforce Australia
Workforce Australia is the employment service delivered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Workforce Australia includes a new online service and a network of providers to deliver personalised support. Workforce Australia helps Australians find and keep a job, change jobs or create their own jobs. To find out more visit www.dese.gov.au/workforce-australia
Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services
The Digital Business Solutions program supports the Australian Government’s commitment to enhance the capabilities of local small businesses. It delivers low cost, high quality digital advisory services to Australian small businesses in metropolitan and regional areas. To find out more visit www.enterpriseplus.org.au or contact our local Northern Rivers Region Digital Business Advisor, Liza Lyttle on 0429 686 629 or email liza.lyttle@enterpriseplus.org.au.
Strengthening Business
Strengthening Business connects you with experts to help your business become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. You will be paired with an independent facilitator to recommend ways to strengthen your business systems, operations and strategies and identify opportunities to improve your business, with a roadmap to get you back on track.
To find out more visit www.business.gov.au/EP or contact one of Lismore’s Strengthening Business Facilitators: Stuart McPhee – Stuart.McPhee@ep.industry.gov.au M: 0414 788 278.
Mindset & Mental Health
New Access for Small Business with Beyond Blue is a free and confidential mental health coaching program. It’s for sole traders and small business owners. And the best bit - You don’t need a doctor’s referral to access it. Find out more here.
Rural Aid also offers free counselling to farmers and their families.