Business News

To find out about support services that might be available to your business, please see below. All of the sites mentioned are updating their information regularly, so we encourage you keep checking in.

• Business Tasmania – Tasmanian Government Business Assistance – https://www.business.tas.gov.au/home
• WorkSafe Tasmania – for all the rules that apply to operating your business safely – https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/home
• Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) – Peak business body supporting businesses in Tasmania to thrive https://www.businessintasmania.com/
• Digital Ready – Helping Tasmanian businesses take the next step online – https://digitalready.tas.gov.au/
• Business Licence and Information Services – use this tool to find out which licences you need to start, run and grow your business https://ablis.business.gov.au/
• BEST (Business and Employment Southeast Tasmania) – employment hub delivering free employment, training and small business advice. Local People for Local Jobs https://bestas.com.au/
• Business Eastern Shore – creating a connected and supported business community https://businesseasternshore.com.au/
• Enterprise Centres Tasmania – a state wide network of independent business advisors – https://www.enterprisecentres.tas.gov.au/

Plastic Free Places in Tasmania

We’re excited to announce that a new program – ‘Plastic Free Places Tasmania’, will be working with our local food retailers as they adapt to a single-use plastic free future, ensuring Tassie remains clean and green.

With grant funding from the Commonwealth Government, the Plastic Free Places program will offer free assistance to our local businesses as part of a national effort to combat plastic pollution.

Food retailers – like cafes, bars, restaurants, kiosks & vans are eligible for the program. Businesses will receive free tailored support on reducing single-use packaging, including money saving strategies, Instagram promotion, and signage recognising you as a sustainable business.

The Tasmanian State Government has announced a proposed ban on some single-use plastic items, but many local businesses are not yet prepared. So we’re thrilled they’ll be able to receive free on- ground support with Plastic Free Places Tasmania.

If you, or anyone you know, own a food or beverage related retail business within the City of Clarence, you can register your interest at plasticfreeplacestas.org. You can also show your support by following the efforts on Instagram or Facebook and by encouraging your local cafe or bar etc… to join.

Digital Solutions Tasmania

Through the support of the Australian Government, The van Diemen Project delivers the Digital Solutions Australian Small Business Advisory Services program – a subsidised, low cost program which helps businesses receive relevant and solutions focused business advice. 

Delivered by a range of multidisciplinary advisors, businesses can benefit from 3 hours of one-on-one tailored mentoring to help you discover opportunities for growth, overcome challenges, enhance your digital presence, and expand your customer base. You will also be able to join a range of interactive workshops and events that you can attend in person or online. 

The Digital Solutions program is $44 for a 7-hour packaged service that offers 3 hours of one-on-one tailored support as well as group workshops or webinars. If you currently have an active Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or Health Care Card, the fee is waived.

To find out more about this program, what it offers, if your business is eligible and how to register for the program go to https://digitalsolutionstas.com.au/

Starting an agritourism business?

Are you thinking of starting an Agritourism business but not sure where to start?

Starting and operating an agritourism business can be complex and can involve specific timeframes, costs and challenges. To make it easier for agritourism businesses to get established in Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government has created a toolkit that provides important information for operators.

The toolkit guides anyone wanting to develop an agritourism idea through the approvals and permits they need to get started and then to maintain the business.

The toolkit includes detailed information about working with regulators, consultants, and technical professionals, holding events and functions, obtaining a liquor licence, setting up a food premises, and meeting fire protection, accessibility and wastewater system requirements.

To download the toolkit, visit Business Tasmania’s website at Starting an agritourism business | Business Tasmania

Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants Available – Applications open until 5pm Tuesday 31 January 2023

The Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant from Wine Australia provides funding to producers who encourage visitors to wine regions via their cellar door operation.

Applications close at 5 pm on Friday, 3 February 2023.

For further information please visit the Wine Australia website or email cellardoorgrants@wineaustralia.com.

Wine Australia is an Australian Government statutory authority that encourages profitable, resilient and sustainable Australian winegrape and wine businesses.

Tourism Development Loan Scheme Extended to 23 February 2023

The Tourism Development Loan Scheme provides loans of between $50 000 and $2 million for eligible organisations to improve or develop tourism products and experiences that support Tasmania’s position as a sought-after and leading Australian destination.

The construction of worker accommodation by tourism operators is now also included in the scheme.

The scheme is open for applications until 5 pm on Thursday, 23 February 2023, or until all funding has been allocated, whichever occurs first.

The program guidelines and application information can be found on the Department of State Growth website. For more information contact Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026 or email ask@business.tas.gov.au.

Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program Round 2 – Applications open until 2pm Tuesday 30 May 2023 

This program aims to provide eligible small businesses with access to specialist financial services and/or business support to assist in business recovery, transition, growth, or application of other management strategies. 

Eligible applicants will receive a grant of between $750 and $1 500 to obtain financial or business guidance services from a suitably qualified specialist/consultant. 

For further information on eligibility and how to apply go to https://www.business.tas.gov.au/funding/general/small_business_advice_and_financial_guidance_program_round_2  

Dollars and Sense for Small Business – 2nd February 2023, 10:30am – 11:30am AEDT

Free online webinar hosted by the Van Diemen Project to help you take control of the financial aspects of your business.

The session via Microsoft Teams will cover a range of high-level topics including:

• Bookkeeping basics
• Cashflow
• budgeting and forecasting
• GST & Tax basics
• Accounting software
• Accounts receivable/payable process
• Tracking expenses
• Insurance
• Inventory Management
• Managing revenue
• Payroll Compliance

For more information on the webinar and how to register go to https://events.humanitix.com/dollars-and-sense-for-small-business

Tourism Tasmania’s “Off Season 2023 – Industry Webinar” – 8th February 2023, 1pm – 2pm

Tasmania’s Off Season returns during the cooler months in 2023. This campaign provides an opportunity to encourage stronger year-round visitation and smooth out seasonality.

Join Tourism Tasmania’s Acting Chief Marketing Officer, Industry Manager and Acting Head of Brand Marketing for a statewide industry webinar to help you prepare your business for the Off Season.

For more information about the webinar and how to register go to https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DmCKJ7pESsaQnWHI0qg9pQ

 Tasmanian Manufacturing Pilot Program – Expression of Interest to Participate Now Open  

Are you a Tasmanian Manufacturer looking for opportunities to support the development of your workforce? 

UTAS with funding support from the Commonwealth Department of Education have a program of short courses that will be released, free of charge, over the coming 12 months to support Tasmanian manufacturing small to medium businesses to develop the skills and capabilities in its workforce (support the ongoing transition to Industry 4.0). 

The short courses will be a mix of fully online, self-paced learning and some practical, hands on workshops in early 2023. 

For more information about eligibility and how to register your interest head to https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VV3rFZEZvEaNp6slI03uCPhDf-fdW9dIuLPZthf362dUQkxUWDRLMEI2ODhYV1BPR1I0V1RVN0lQQS4u