Support to help businesses go digital

Posted on 24 October 2022 | by Allan Hall

Digital Solutions — Australian Small Business Advisory Services

Round 1 of the Digital Solutions program will end on 31 March 2023.

What do you get?

The Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services program works with small businesses to make the most of digital tools and offers broader advice specific to your business needs such as:

how digital tools can help your small business
websites and selling online
social media and digital marketing
using small business software
online security and data privacy.

Digital Solutions is a 7-hour packaged service that offers 3 hours of one-on-one tailored support as well as group workshops or webinars.

Who is this for?

Small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time (or equivalent) employees, as well as sole traders, can access services at the subsidised rate. The service is available across all metropolitan and regional areas in Australia.

How much does it cost?

The Digital Solutions program is $44 for 7 hours of support and your first interaction with the service is free.

About the Digital Solutions advisers

Digital Solutions advisers hold formal qualifications in business or information technology-related disciplines and have at least 2 years’ experience providing digital advice to small or medium-sized businesses.

Contact your local Digital Solutions provider

There are Digital Solutions providers in each state and territory across Australia. Complete a short form to connect with your local provider.

CONTACT A PROVIDER NEAR YOU

Support for businesses affected by COVID-19

Digital Solutions providers are also offering general business advice to support you through this difficult time, including:

business crisis management and business continuity planning
finance management and boosting cashflow
staff management and creating a safe work environment
retaining and staying connected to customers
resilience and wellbeing
COVID-19 stimulus packages for small business.

Find more at coronavirus information and support for businesses.

CONTACT ALLAN HALL

Small business fees and charges rebate NSW

Posted on 16 June 2022 | by Allan Hall

Claim back up to $3,000 in fees

Apply by 24 June 2022 to ensure you can claim eligible fees and charges before the rebate closes on 30 June 2022.

APPLY ONLINE

If you’re a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $3,000.

This rebate helps businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and encourages growth by reducing the cost of running a business. Eligible businesses or not-for-profits only need to apply for the rebate once, but can submit multiple claims until the full value of $3,000 is reached.

Funds can be used to offset the costs of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges due and paid from 1 March 2021. These include, but are not limited to:

food authority licences
liquor licences
tradesperson licences
event fees
outdoor seating fees
council rates
road user tolls for business use.

View the full list of eligible fees and charges. This list is updated regularly.

Employing businesses can claim 50% of the cost of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) up to the full rebate value of $3,000 to help them assist their workers to test when required.

The rebate cannot be used for fines or penalties, fees and charges that have the key purpose of discouraging behaviours or inducing behaviour changes, Commonwealth government charges, rent on government premises, or taxes. See the guidelines for more information.

Note: If you’ve already registered for the rebate, you do not need to do anything – you will receive an automatic $1,000 increase to your rebate. Businesses newly registering will have a rebate of $3,000.

Eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations have until 24 June 2022 to apply for the rebate. You can submit claims for eligible fees and charges until 30 June 2022.

Check eligibility and how to apply here »

CONTACT ALLAN HALL

Please be aware that there is a high level of scamming activity around COVID-19 rules and regulations and, in particular, grants and relief. These scams are increasingly sophisticated and many involve impersonation such that they may appear to come from legitimate advisors (such as Allan Hall).

At Allan Hall, we will never request money upfront, deposits, transfers to personal accounts, payments via gift cards or other unexpected or unusual payment methods. If in any doubt, contact us via phone before taking actions that appear to be at the request of Allan Hall.

Export Market Development Grant

Posted on 29 September 2021 | by Allan Hall

From 1 July 2021, the Export Market Development Grant underwent some major changes

An “eligibility-based grant program” has been introduced. Businesses that believe they could be eligible for the Export Market Development Grant are required to submit an application to Austrade from 16 August (application opening date) to 30 November 2021.

https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/export-grants

This grant is available to any Australian exporter operating in any type of business entity – Sole Traders, Partnerships, Trusts or Companies. Over 4,000 Australian businesses participate in this grant program each year and may be particularly relevant for business exporters or those that supply tourism services to overseas’ residents.

From now on, businesses must have a turnover of less than $20M to apply for this grant.

Grants are available in three tiers over a maximum of 8 years, with total funding amount over the 8 years (which do not have to be consecutive) of $770,000 available for eligible complying businesses.

Tier 1 Ready to Export: First time exporters. Maximum 2 years and maximum $40,000 per financial year.
Tier 2 Expanding: Expanding your export promotion activities. Maximum 3 years a maximum $80,000 per financial year.
Tier 3 Expanding and Strategic Shift: Expanding your export promotion activities and making a strategic shift, for example, targeting a new market or a new type of customer. Maximum 3 years and maximum $150,000 per financial year.

When the grant applications have been assessed and individual grants approved by Austrade (after 30 November 2021) a Grant Agreement will then be prepared between Austrade and the applicant. Austrade has indicated that milestone payments will be made to successful applicants.