Women in small business will have access to free TAFE courses and professional advice thanks to $15 million over the next four years in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Matt Kean said more than 95 per cent of businesses in NSW were small businesses, however only a third of these businesses are run by women.
“Many people dream of owning their own business, however we know that cultural and structural barriers like access to professional networks and capital can hold women back from taking the leap,” Mr Kean said.
“The NSW Budget is focused on giving women more opportunities for their future. That’s why we’re investing $15 million to help women translate their business ideas into reality.”
The 2022-23 NSW Budget will invest in the following programs over four years:

• $3.5 million to provide fee-free TAFE NSW Women in Business courses
• $2.0 million in grants to industry associations and chambers of commerce to run professional networking programs for women in small business
• $5.0 million to expand the Business Connect program to provide dedicated services to women-led small business
• $4.5 million for the Service NSW for Business program to provide targeted support for women-led small businesses.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this investment is another fantastic example of the NSW Government supporting women-led small businesses.
“From Ballina to Braidwood and everywhere in between, this package empowers women to start and grow their businesses, because we know when women succeed, NSW succeeds,” Mrs Taylor said.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the fee-free TAFE courses will give women in small business access to a wide range of online learning topics and webinars, which can be studied anywhere, any time.
“The Women in Business TAFE program will provide women in every corner of NSW with access to fee-free online training on how to start or build a business,” Mr Henskens said. 
“More than 15,000 women have already benefited from the program, and this investment will help support a pipeline of female-led start-ups to boost their budget and grow the economy.”

​Read more HERE.

Small Business Northern Flood Grant
The one-off payment of $10,000 will support eligible businesses to meet operating costs to help them during the immediate recovery period. These costs may include, but are not limited to:

• salaries and wages 
• utilities and rent 
• government fees and charges (including local government rates) 
• financial, legal or other services 
• marketing and communications 
• perishable goods,  
• other business costs.

Check you're in an eligible LGA
The grant payment is for small businesses or not-for-profit organisations that are located in these highly impacted Northern Rivers Local Government Areas (LGAs):
 

• Ballina 
• Byron 
• Clarence Valley 
• Kyogle  
• Lismore  
• Richmond Valley  
• Tweed Shire.

You may be eligible for this grant if your small businesses or not-for-profit has an aggregated annual turnover of $75,000 to $10 million, and can demonstrate a decline in turnover of 40% or more, due to the recent floods. View eligibility.
 
Know your options
There are different business flood recovery grants available with specific eligibility criteria. Please consider your options carefully, as receiving one grant may make you ineligible for another one.
To assist you with understanding what is available to your business, visit our grants comparison page.
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Medium-sized Business Grants
Medium-sized businesses in the highly impacted Northern Rivers LGAs that suffered direct damage from the floods may be eligible for a grant of up to $200,000.
Applications close on 31st July 2022.
Apply HERE

If you're unsure about which financial support best suits your situation, call 13 77 88 and ask to speak to a Service NSW Business Concierge. 
 
How to apply
So that we can process your application as quickly as possible, make sure you have all the documents you need before you start your application. 

The ‘apply now’ button below will give you the information you need to apply and supporting documentation required.
Apply now
What happens next?
Once you’ve applied, we’ll assess your application and contact you if further supporting documentation is needed. If your application isn't successful, you will be notified via email. 
  
If your application is approved, payment will be transferred to your specified bank account within 5 business days.
 
Service NSW can help you with storm and flood disaster recovery
Get free personalised support for your business from a Service NSW Business Concierge by calling 13 77 88. 
Request a call back

Please also remember, your friendly NORTEC Business Connect Advisors are available to assist you. Call 0490 297 703 to make an appointment.

Many of our customers are familiar with our webinars that assist all areas of running a small business. To see upcoming webinars click the button below.
See All Webinars Here

The NSW Dine and Discover vouchers end soon on June 30, 2022 so get out there and put them to good use before then.
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