Starting a business on JobSeeker in Queensland

Free business advice in Queensland

Mentoring for Growth (Business Queensland): free advice (the official page gives no number of hours).

“Register for a free Mentoring for Growth session to discuss your current business opportunities or challenges with experienced volunteer mentors.”

• Free 45-minute start-up session with one mentor, mostly online
• Needs an ABN, Queensland headquarters or significant operations, and a business that has started operating
• Mentors can’t give legal, financial or HR advice

Mentoring for Growth (Business Queensland)

Start-up money from Queensland

• Business Basics Grants Program · $7,500 (excluding GST) · closed.“The program offers $7,500 (excluding GST) in funding.” “Successful applicants announced Stage 2 closure: Grant recipients have been notified of their outcomes.”Existing businesses building core skills (advice, marketing, websites); it is not listed among active rounds on the grants schedule.

Help that works in every state

• JobSeeker Payment (or Youth Allowance at 16 to 21) while you plan and start: report wages every fortnight and business profit on a Profit and Loss Statement.
• Self-Employment Assistance: free workshops, business plan development and accredited small business training, which count towards your points.
• Small Business Coaching: 12 months of mentoring with no mutual obligations, and the Self-Employment Allowance for up to 39 weeks.
• Many Rivers: free business coaching and loans at 7% a year, fixed.
• The small business income tax offset: up to $1,000 a year off the tax on your business profit.

Your points target and job searches go through Workforce Australia; Pontia keeps your job-search record so your plan and your search run side by side.

Questions