Did you know that there are a range of resources available to you across Federal, State and Local Governments and private industry to assist you in all stages of your business? No matter what your business is, there is support available to see you from start up to growth, innovation and export trade assistance or upskilling your business and staff. This support includes:

  • Grants and assistance
  • Advice and support
  • Skills and training

City of Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is the sixth largest city in Australia and one in five workers on the Gold Coast own their own business. The City of the Gold Coast is committed to supporting local entrepreneurs. To foster this commitment to Gold Coast registered businesses with high growth potential, they have developed the ‘Competitive Business Toolkit’.

The toolkit details a range of programs offered to assist your business to grow and is aimed at businesses who undertake research and development but is not limited to businesses that don’t either.  The programs offered by the City of Gold Coast include:

  • Growth Accelerator Program
  • Innovation Program
  • Online Business Program
  • Emerging Exporters Program
  • Export Assistance Scheme

For more information, please visit http://business.moregoldcoast.com.au/

Queensland Government

There is a range of State funded and subsidised programs on offer to assist businesses. The State offers support in respect of grants, rebates, subsidies, incentive schemes and research fellowships. Some of the grants on offer are innovation grants, home-based business grants and other forms of business support.

For more information on the grants available, please visit https://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/support-tools-grants/grants

The State Government has also developed ‘Small Business Solutions’ which is an award-winning Queensland Smart State initiative focused on offering assistance to small businesses, micro businesses and home-based businesses. Support for these businesses includes access to business mentors, mentoring and coaching, and access to vocational training through workshops all of which are subsidised by the Government to make it more affordable.

For more information on the Small Business Solutions please visit http://smallbusinesssolutions.qld.gov.au/content/sbs-standard.asp

Federal Government

The Federal Government is committed to helping Australian businesses of all sizes, in all industries improve productivity and competitiveness, and create jobs. They offer support through:

  • Workshops, Training and Seminars
  • Grants
  • Access to Advisors
  • Personal counselling services

For more information on what the Federal Government can offer your business, please visit www.business.gov.au

 Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards

The Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards were launched in 1996 with 2015 being the celebration of their 20 year anniversary. The aim of the Awards is to seek to contribute to the identity of Gold Coast business and to foster pride in the wider Gold Coast business community. The Awards are awarded monthly and there are many categories that can suit almost every type of business enterprise. The Awards categories include:

  • Emerging Business
  • Family Business Award
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Trades, Professions and Services
  • Retail, Wholesale and Distribution
  • Manufacturing and Construction
  • Knowledge Management and Information Technology
  • Tourism, Hospitality and Event
  • Mayor’s Innovation GC Award
  • Environment and Sustainability Award.

The awards are a great way to promote your business and be acknowledged for your hard work and efforts in business, and also within the community.

For more information please visit http://www.goldcoastbusinessawards.com.au/

They say you don’t know what you don’t know. Now that we have told you about all the opportunities you could utilise for your business, don’t miss out with the excuse “I didn’t know”. We are more than happy to assist you with finding out what is best for your business.