• Book in an appointment with Service NSW Business Concierge. You are entitled to 8 hours of small business expert advice over 3 years.
• Sign up for Digital Solutions - Optimise your Websites, Cyber Security, Invoicing, Socials and much more with unlimited training. For $45 gain 4 hours small business help on all digital aspects of your business.
• Gain free financial advice for personal and business finances and cash flow. Talk to an expert from the Small Business Debt Helpline.
• Sign up to the Mackellar Grant Finder for alerts on the many business grants, rebates, incentives, competitions, training programs and more available to you. Find a guide on how to find, apply and win grants here.
• Need free mental health support for you and your team?
• Contract disputes? For free, independent legal help contact the Small Business Ombudsman.
• Need help navigating your legal requirements under new workplace law? Fair Work Ombudsman
• Need tax help? Free tax courses and guides.
• Utilise all the federal resources and help available to you and your business, from starting out to closing down.

There are many grants for businesses that are offered by federal, state and local government, as well as non-government organisations.  The Mackellar Grant Finder is a free service that provides a comprehensive list of grants and other support. To register for this free service and keep up to date with grant opportunities for your business, see here. 

To assist you in applying for grants, how to set up alerts, and provide advice on how to optimise your grant applications, please see a printable PDF from our training workshop here.  We also have developed the Mackellar Grant Checklist and the Grant Template Excel File to assist in preparation of your grant application documentation.

Federal Funding Opportunities

For comprehensive details of all current and forecast federal grants visit Grant Connect.

Examples of current federal funding opportunities for business are:

Wage subsidies - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government

National Reconstruction Fund

The Federal Government has committed $15 billion to establish the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), which will provide finance for projects in seven priority areas:

1. Renewables and low emissions technologies
2. Medical science
3. Transport
4. Value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
5. Value-add in resources
6. Defence capability
7. Enabling capabilities. 

Sign up to receive updates on the NRF here.

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Digital Solutions Program - Gain the digital expertise to take your business to the next level.

Funded by the Australian federal government, the Digital Solutions program gives business owners a personalised digital roadmap tailored to their needs, one-on-one support from an expert business adviser, access to an extensive content library and over 200+ live webinars and workshops each year. To learn more or sign up to the Digital Solutions program visit their website. Or sign up here and use “Mackellar” as your referrer.

Review all the upcoming events, webinars and courses here.

Cyber Wardens - Free online program for business owners to help protect from cyber threats

With 4 in 5 small businesses having everyday habits that make them vulnerable to cybercrime, it is more critical than ever to have the tools needed to help identify and protect your small business. Every 6 minutes, a cybercrime is reported in Australia, 43% of which targets small businesses and costs on average $46,000. 

Cyber Wardens is a free, online program for business owners and staff to help protect their businesses from cyberthreats. Protect yourself and your business. Enrol today.

Small Business Debt Helpline - Free, independent, confidential support for business owners 

Small business owners can contact the Small Business Debt Helpline by calling 1800 413 828 from 9am to 5:30pm AEST, Monday to Friday or via the Small Business Debt Helpline website. This program aims to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial phone-based support to small business owners nationally regardless of the cause of their financial hardship. The program can help with:

• Understanding business and personal debts, and personal guarantees
• Grants and training for small business owners
• Business viability
• Disaster relief
• Payment options with the Australian Tax Office (ATO), creditors, suppliers and service providers
• Information about closing the business, including bankruptcy and insolvency
• Dispute resolution
• Emotional support.

Mental Health Help - Six structured sessions via telehealth with a trained mental health coach

The stress of owning a small business can be significant. The New Access for Small Business Owners Program aims to provide small business owners with up to . It is a joint initiative by Beyond Blue and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman as a response to rising calls for a dedicated mental health support service for small business owners.  

Mackellar's Business Chambers of Commerce

Mackellar's local business chambers work with local businesses to stay connected, informed and supported. If you haven't connected with your local chamber yet, I would encourage you to do so.

• Avalon and Palm Beach Business Chamber
• Newport Chamber of Commerce
• Warringah Chamber of Commerce
• Mona Vale Chamber of Commerce

To serve our business community, Northern Beaches Council has a dedicated Business Support Service. It’s a single point of contact to provide advice and support, news and opportunities to business.
Local businesses can access information and be connected with Council departments, on a range of topics including:

• Local business support/advice services
• Insights into local economic conditions
• Food licensing including food safety permits
• Planning and development applications and advice
• Working with Council including tenders and procurement
• Advertising sign advice and permits
• Festival and event permits
• Commercial activities on public land, including outdoor dining
• Plus many more

Contact Business Support Services by email or call 1300 434 434.

View my presentation from the 2025 business event that I ran for local hairdressers, barbers, and beauticians.  

There are many services and initiatives to support businesses. Have you explored these services on offer? 

• • Australian Government business support
  • Business Renewables Centre Australia
  • CEFC
  • Business Registration Service
  • ATO
  • Services Australia
  • Starting a small business
  • The Parliamentary Library 
  • Cyber Security