Business Point

What government grants are available?

I want to start a business but don’t know how to go about it.

How do I register a business name?

What are the legal requirements of starting a business?

I have an invention, is there funding available to assist with registering a patent?

I wish to relocate my business from the mainland to Tasmania.  Is there any government funding available to assist with the cost?

Where can I be put in touch with a mentor?

Where can I get advice on how to write a business plan?

Where can I get advice on buying a business?

I am having trouble with my business. Who can I talk to?

Can Business Point provide me with advice on legal and insurance matters?

What award wage should I be paying my employees?

What government grants are available?

Grants and other funding programs may be available from the Australian, State and Territory governments and, in some cases, from local councils. Generally there are few grants available for starting a business, and those available are competitive or only available for specific circumstances.

There are, however, grants and other assistance available for business activities such as expanding your business, innovation, exporting, research and development.

For a comprehensive list of government grants visit the Grants & Assistance Finder at www.business.gov.au or www.grantslink.gov.au.

Visit, also, the funding section on this website for more information on assistance and grants available for businesses within Tasmania provided by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.

Scam alert: a cold-call scam operation was reported where the scammers announce themselves as representing the Australian Government Grants Department. Please note that the government DOES NOT cold call offering grants and DOES NOT charge a fee to release grant funding. Other scammers have published grant booklets for purchase which contain outdated and inaccurate grant information. If you would like to find more information about grant and funding programs from the government, please visit the official websites listed above.

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I want to start a business but don’t know how to go about it.

A range of services are available to assist you establish your business including information about licensing requirements, business guides, and one-on-one business advice.   

Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) provides you with everything you need to know about business licences, permits and compulsory codes of practice from State, Commonwealth and Local governments.  This service can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.

Business Point has a range of business guides with information to assist in the start up phase of your business.  You can access these guides online or call Business Point on 1800 440 026 to have a selection sent to you.

You can access free one-on-one business advice about how to start a business at your local Enterprise Centre.  This assistance is available to businesses with five or fewer employees to develop business ideas, provide guidance on business planning, and help develop management skills.  You can access this service by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026 to be referred to your local Enterprise Centre or you can contact them directly through the contact details available from the Enterprise Centre website.

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How do I register a business name?

The Business Affairs Branch of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading administer the registration of business names, incorporated associations and cooperative societies. More information on details and applications are available through the Consumer Affairs website.

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What are the legal requirements of starting a business?

You can find out what the relevant legal requirements are for your business by accessing Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) which provides you with everything you need to know about business licences, permits and compulsory codes of practice from State, Commonwealth and Local governments.  This service can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.

Further information can be obtained from the business guides which can be accessed online or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.

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I have an invention, is there funding available to assist with registering a patent?

There is no funding available to assist with registering a patent, however, there are other programs available that may be of assistance to inventors.

The Visiting Patent & Trade Mark Attorney Program provides free call and consultation service for Tasmanian businesses having queries about intellectual property. More information about the program is available here.

In addition, Springboard provides a range of business acceleration services and funding options designed to support new and established Tasmanian science and technology businesses. Please visit www.thespringboard.com.au for more details.

Commercialisation Australia is an Australian Government initiative that assists researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative companies to convert intellectual property into successful commercial ventures. Information on their assistance and funding programs are available at www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au.

Additional information about intellectual property is also available at IP Australia.

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I wish to relocate my business from the mainland to Tasmania.  Is there any government funding available to assist with the cost?

No funding is offered for people to relocate their business to Tasmania. However, you may be eligible for other State or Commonwealth Government business grants.  For a comprehensive list of government grants visit the Grants & Assistance Finder at business.gov.au.

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Where can I be put in touch with a mentor?

Business Mentor Services Tasmania (BMST) provides a free service for those running a small business.  BMST is a non-profit public company staffed by volunteer mentors who are experienced in business across a range of industries.  You can get in contact with them online at www.mentors.org.au, by phone on (03) 6233 5448 or 1300 367 279 within Tasmania only.

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Where can I get advice on how to write a business plan?

A business plan is a critical component of any successful business and there are many sources of assistance to ensure you get it right.

Enterprise Centres Tasmania provide free assistance to businesses with five or fewer employees on many matters including one-on-one assistance on how to write a business plan.  Enterprise Centres service every region of the state, you can call Business Point for a referral on 1800 440 026 or you can find their contact details on the Enterprise Centres Tasmania website.

You also have access to a range of business guides to assist you develop a business plan which can be accessed through the Business Point website or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.

Business Plan templates are available on the Business Point website here. You can also access the Victorian Government’s business website which contains a good practical example of how to write a business plan.

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Where can I get advice on buying a business?

You can access free one-on-one business advice at your local Enterprise Centre including advice on buying a business.  Enterprise Centres provide free assistance to businesses with five or fewer employees servicing every region of the state.  You can call Business Point for a referral on 1800 440 026 or you can find their contact details on the Business Point website.

In addition, by accessing Business Point’s Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) which provides business licences, permits and codes of conduct you can obtain information on transferring a business name.  This service can be accessed online or by calling 1800 440 026.

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I am having trouble with my business. Who can I talk to?

You can access free one-on-one business advice at your local Enterprise Centre.  Enterprise Centres provide free assistance to businesses with five or fewer employees servicing every region of the state.  You can call Business Point for a referral on 1800 440 026 or you can find their contact details on the Enterprise Centres website.

In addition, Business Mentor Services Tasmania offers a free business advisory service for small business owners and business intenders.  You can get in contact with Business Mentor Services Tasmania online, by phone on (03) 6233 5448 or 1300 367 279 in Tasmania only, or by email mail@mentorresources.org.au.

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Can Business Point provide me with advice on legal and insurance matters?

Business Point provides general business advice and referrals.  For specific advice on legal or insurance issues you will need to seek the professional assistance of a lawyer.  To get in contact with a lawyer you can visit the Law Society of Tasmania website or give them a call on (03) 6234 4133.

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What award wage should I be paying my employees?

Fair Work Australia is the national workplace relations tribunal. Find out policies about modern awards, the National Employment Standards, minimum wages and employment conditions, enterprise bargaining, industrial relations, dispute resolution, termination of employment and other workplace matters from Fairwork at Fair Work Australia.

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