Business Support Contacts and Services
Contact List
DOWNLOAD SUPPORT GUIDE HERE
Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) have compiled a list of Business Support Contacts that focus on the Mid North Coast Region and maybe able to assist you with advice about currently available grants, services and programs.
To download the list of Business Support Contacts – click HERE
RDAMNC – Support Available
RDAMNC can provide some assistance with funding applications and information about programs.
Support includes access to data to support applications and provided adequate time is made available RDAMNC can provide feedback on applications as well as a letter of support for relevant applications.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact RDAMNC to discuss their applications at least one month before the application is due to be submitted.
More Information about how RDAMNC can help – HERE
Business Support and Services
Need some help navigating the crowded and sometimes confusing business assistance landscape? Check out our comprehensive list of small business support services here.
Business connect – advice, support and mentoring to small business owners to establish and grow. Business owners can access personalised business support subsidised by the NSW Government.
Business.gov.au – The Australian Government’s principal business resource.
Small Business NSW – hints and tips to get your business going, manage your business and build upon your success.
Training Services NSW Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative – Training Services NSW (TSNSW) is proud to deliver a suite of Aboriginal Initiatives that aim to improve training, education, employment and business outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in NSW.
Starting a business guide and checklist to take you through each step of starting a business and help you understand what’s ahead.
Self Start – information and links to resources to support you through the first stages of starting your own business from planning, validating your idea, finding local support, through to perfecting your pitch.
Edmund Barton Centre – created to help sustain economies across regional Australia, the Centre assists new and existing businesses to grow and innovate through supports including Start Up Business Development Program, Key Business Enhancement Program, Inspire Program and the Apprentice to Business Owner Program.
Business Australia – formerly the NSW Business Chamber – is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes to maximise their potential. Business Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation that operates across the nation to help business, contact the Port Macquarie office today to find out about the unique Business Australia membership model.
ETC – NEIS Program – ETC are the local providers of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS). This program helps eligible job seekers to start and run their own business. ETC provides the NEIS program in the NSW Mid North Coast and North Coast regions.
Workplace Mental Health Coaching: The NSW Government has partnered with Transitioning Well to deliver a fully-funded coaching service to help NSW businesses create a mentally healthy workplace. Book now to get started: mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au
Grant Finder
Users of this service can search for 3 grants per month for free. – https://grantguru.com.au/
Port Macquarie – Hastings Council have their own dedicated portal – https://pmhc.grantguru.com.au/
Coffs Harbour City Council also has their own dedicated portal: https://coffsharbour.grantguru.com.au/
Additional advice for employers and businesses
Reach out and access personalised support from a Service NSW Business Concierge and Business Connect Advisor. These services are also available to support businesses impacted by bushfires.
Explore the Australian Government’s Employment Hub to learn out about the support available to recruit employees or scale up your workforce when the time is right. Assistance is also available for businesses needing to reduce their workforce.
How to employ young people
Want to support young people into work? We have summarised the different options and support system for employers to employ young people, from work experience to a permanent fulltime position – open the Employer Programs for Young People PDF here.
Information and contacts
Work Experience is a planned school activity for Year students aged 14 and over. Work experience placements need school approval, are unpaid, and usually last one to two weeks. Work experience gives local young people the opportunity to try out different professional or vocational occupations they would not normally get an opportunity to participate in. It is also a good opportunity for employers to get to know young people who are interested in working in their industry, and may lead to further opportunities for employment. Contact your local High School’s career advisor for more information.
Work Placement: Work placement is a planned opportunity in a quality host workplace that enables senior school students studying particular industry-based courses to practise and develop their industry competencies and their employability skills in a vibrant real work context. Work placement is a mandatory component of industry-based vocational education and training (VET) courses that students can choose as part of their studies for the NSW Higher School Certificate. If you think your organisation would be a good candidate for work placement, contact your local careers advisor:
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBAT): where high school students can undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship, work part time and complete their schooling. Contact your local careers advisor or RIEP officer for more information. Mid North Coast (South) contact is Sam Palise on 0413 430 091 or samantha.palise@det.nsw.edu.au
Vocational Education and Training (VET): Some schools offer their students the opportunity to study VET courses as part of their HSC, giving young people the opportunity to learn practical skills, giving them a pathway into a wide range of occupations straight out of school. Nambucca Valley High Schools offer VET subjects in areas such as childcare, hospitality, agriculture and others. Contact your local school to learn more.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships: Australian Apprenticeships (a category that includes apprenticeships and traineeships) are open to people of any working age in more than 500 occupations. Australian Apprenticeship Services are free for all employers – check for your local contact here.
Transition to Work: The Transition to Work employment service helps young people aged 15-24 into work (including apprenticeships and training) or education. The program provides no cost employment services to help employers recruit young employees, while supporting them to enter the workforce. This can include trainees and apprentices. Find your local contact here.
Wage Subsidies: Financial incentives of up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) are available to help your business hire and keep new employees. Wage subsidies are for new and ongoing employment positions. They can be for full-time, part-time, casual, or even a traineeship or apprenticeship positions. Find your local contact here.
Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP): The RIEP program is a State Government initiative to create connections between industry and secondary schools to support students in planning their future career pathways. Local RIEP officers are there to facilitate connections between businesses, career advisors, and students. For more information, please contact: Mid North Coast (South) – Sam Palise on 0413 430 091 or samantha.palise@det.nsw.edu.au
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