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Support for Business

The Northern Beaches has a vibrant business community with 18,241 businesses across various industries, including construction, health, social assistance, science, manufacturing, retail, energy, hospitality, IT, education and training, the arts, media, financial services and much more!

My team and I are here to assist our business community by providing opportunities, information, support and a direct line to the Australian Government on the issues and policy. 

News directly to you!

Sign up to my business newsletter to hear the latest business specific news and opportunities.

View the previous editions below:

February Business Newsletter 2024

November Business Newsletter 2023

August Business Newsletter 2023

Grants 

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. Scroll down to see one example, the federally funded Digital Solutions Program.

Business Grant Application Resources

To assist you in applying for grants please click here for our training seminar on how to find, prepare and apply for business grants. This seminar details how to use the Mackellar Grant Finder, how to set up alerts and provides advice on how to optimise your grant applications. For a printable PDF version here.

We also have developed the Mackellar Grant Checklist and the Grant Template Excel File to assist in preparation of your grant application documentation.

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.

Connect with Mackellar's business chambers!

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.

National Reconstruction Fund 

The Australian 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. 

Consultation on the NRF’s key design elements and implementation approach will be happening soon. Sign up to receive updates on when you can have your say and to find out more information on the NRF here.

Small Business Debt Helpline

Overview

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.

This service is free, independent and confidential - no strings attached.

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.

Small business owners can contact the Small Business Debt Helpline by calling 1800 413 828 or via the Small Business Debt Helpline website from 9am to 5:30pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

My goal for a thriving Mackellar economy is dependent on better understanding your needs and the issues you are facing. Sign up to my business newsletter to hear our latest business specific news and how I have been working on your behalf. Even more importantly, however, please write in to tell me about your business & how I can help you. [email protected]