Business support and information

Find out about support services for your business below. All of the sites update their information regularly, so we encourage you keep checking in.

• Business Eastern Shore – creating a connected and supported business community 
• Business Tasmania – Tasmanian Government Business Assistance
• Tasmanian Business Advice Service – Free and independent business advice tailed to your needs 
• Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania – Grants and Programs and other financial assistance to support Tasmanian businesses and communities reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and prepare for and adapt to climate change.
• Digital Ready – helping Tasmanian businesses take the next step online 
• WorkSafe Tasmania – for rules that apply to operating your business safely.
• Tasmania Fire Service – for information on business fire alarms and evacuation plans
• Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) – peak business body supporting businesses in Tasmania
• Business Licence and Information Services – use this tool to find out which licences you need to start, run and grow your business 
• BEST (Business and Employment Southeast Tasmania) – employment hub delivering free employment, training and small business advice 
• AusIndustry – Commonwealth Government support to help businesses
• Skilled Migration Program – Information for businesses on employing overseas workers. To contact the Hobart-based Business, Industry and Regional Outreach officer for further information email Tiffany Brooks on BIRO.VIC.TAS@homeaffairs.gov.au.
• Small Business Peak – Business Industrial Relation (IR) support.
• Many Rivers – free business coaching for disadvantaged or indigenous businesses.

• Small Business Debt Helpline – a free resource for small business owners
• Small business practical guide for Tasmanians
• Business Plan Tool to help you evaluate and set goals
• New Online Home for Free Business Advice Services in Tasmania
• Mentoring Support for First Nations Tourism Businesses
• Employer of Choice Assist – a free service providing tailored assistance to small businesses in Tasmania to help them build a positive workplace culture.
• Zero Waste Events Toolkit 
• Defend Your Data information
• Australia’s free trade mark checker tool
• Austrade Go Global Toolkit
• Plastic Free Places in Tasmania
• Digital Solutions Tasmania
• Starting an agritourism business | Business Tasmania
• Getting started with AI solutions for Businesses – watch video

Enabling Business Grant Program opening in October

The Enabling Business Grant Program, which is the second round of the Small Business Growth Strategy Grant Program, will be opening on Tuesday 22 October 2024.

The program is aiming to support Tasmanian businesses to grow, adapt and innovate, with grants between $2,500 and $10,000 for capital purchases. Apply here.

Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Program – Open until 6 January 2025

Funding is available to Tasmanian-based advanced manufacturing enterprises to purchase capital equipment, linked to an off island market driven expansion opportunity with resulting increased employment. Maximum grant available is $100,000.

Click here for more information.

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) – opening in November 2024

The EMDG program provides grants to Australian small and medium enterprises and their representative bodies to:

• market and promote their goods and services globally
• undertake export training

Round 4 will be the next round to open for applications. Different opening dates for representative bodies and each tier, and details of this grants opportunities can be found here.

Business Growth Loan Scheme  – Open until 5pm Friday 20 December 2024 or until funds are allocated

The Business Growth Loan Scheme is now open for applications. More here.

The $60 million scheme by the State Government provides loans of between $100,000 and $3 million to assist Tasmanian businesses to develop, expand or undertake new projects that promote growth in the Tasmanian economy.

Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program – Open until 2pm, 30 May 2025 or until funds are allocated

The Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program supports Tasmanian small businesses to be flexible, innovative and efficient. It provides eligible small businesses with access to specialist financial services or business support to assist in their growth, transition, business recovery from unexpected events or application of management strategies.

Click here for more information including program guidelines and how to apply.

Accelerating Trade Grant Program – Open until 30 June 2025 or until funding limit is reached

The Program helps Tasmanian businesses to collaborate, expand their presence and introduce Tasmanian products and services to the world. Click here for more information and how to apply.

Regional Tourism Development Loan Scheme – Open until 2pm, 30 June 2026 or until funds are allocated

The $50 million Regional Tourism Development Loan Scheme is now open for applications.

The scheme is available to promote investment in tourism products and experiences that stimulate regional tourism and dispersal in Tasmania. Click here for more information including eligibility and how to apply.

MicroBusiness Loans – by NILS (no interest loan scheme) Tasmania 

This scheme provides small, interest-free loans of up to $3,000 to people on low incomes who want to start their own business or grow an existing one. The loan can cover startup costs, insurance/registration costs, and/or equipment purchases. The find out more head to the NILS Tasmania website.

Cyber Wardens Program – helping to protect small businesses from online threats

An initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia and supported by the Australian Government, the Cyber Wardens program is a simple education tool designed to build a cyber-smart small business workshop and to help prevent and protect your business against online threats.

For more information and to enroll visit cyberwardens.com.au

Learning on Demand – Business Courses for the Building Industry

The Housing Industry Association has developed a suite of custom designed courses to support those in the building industry with business basics. Each course includes interactive learning components and topics include marketing, operating a business, business resilience and much more.

You can find more information about these courses at Learning on Demand or contact the team at pd@hia.com.au

TasTAFE Free SKILL UP Courses Now Available for Applications

TasTAFE has launched three new accredited SKILL UP courses that are fully subsidised by the Tasmanian Government. These free courses are ideal for people working in administrative and leadership roles who are looking to increase their career skills. Each skill set is delivered online with a blend of self-paced study and virtual workshops. Visit the Tafe Website.

Australian Taxation Office: Small Business Webinars

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are offering a series of free webinars that provide advice on a range of small business topics. The webinars are live, interactive online seminars presented by experienced tax officers, with the option of asking questions to help apply the information directly to your situation.

Popular webinars include:

• Employer: expense payment fringe benefits
• Starting a small business
• Claiming small business tax deductions
• Introduction to business records
• Goods and services tax (GST) introduction
• Running a home-based business

Visit the ATO website to see the full list of webinars available and to reserve your spot.

Digital Ready Fundamentals Course

Build your ability to manage the digital aspects of your business with the free Digital Ready Fundamentals course from Digital Ready. To find out more go to the Digital Fundamentals web page and click on a unit that interests you.

City of Clarence Business Excellence and Service Awards 

Administered by Business Eastern Shore, these awards have recognised excellence in business on the eastern shore for over 20 years.

The Business Excellence Awards seek to reward excellence in overall business planning, management and operations. Short-listed entrants will receive a site visit from the judging panel.

Business Excellence Awards are awarded for the following categories:

• Enterprise and Innovation Award
• Environmental Sustainability Award
• Community Contribution Award
• New Business Award
• Inclusivity and Diversity Award

The Business Eastern Shore Award is awarded to the most outstanding recipient in the Excellence Awards categories.

The Customer Service Awards seek to identify and reward excellence in customer service across a range of industries. Nominees are assessed by a visit by a mystery shopper.

Customer Service Awards are awarded for the following categories:

• Retail
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Professional Services
• Other Business
• Vanessa Goodwin Memorial Mentoring Award

The Pride of Workmanship Award gives recognition to a high performing employee, apprentice or trainee, nominated by either a manager, owner or customer.

The Eastern Shore Sun Marketing Award includes free advertising for the successful recipient.

Nominations close Monday 16 October. Businesses can self‑nominate. Award winners will be announced at a Presentation Ceremony in November.

For further information about the awards and how to nominate visit the Business Awards Website.