Federal Government support for tourism businesses
ASBAS Digital Solutions offers small businesses throughout metropolitan and regional Australia low cost, high quality advice on a range of digital solutions to meet their business needs. Services include:
To be eligible to recieve assistance you must have 19 or less Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees.
The Entrepreneurs' Programme is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity. The Tourism Partnerships section provides groups of tourism businesses in northern Australia with access to an experienced Business Facilitator for 12 months. Individual tourism businesses can also access services through the Entrepreneurs' Programme, such as a Business Evaluation. The guidelines for the Business Growth Grants services have recently changed. Businesses should review the Business Management – Grant opportunity guidelines before applying.
The Indigenous Business Sector Strategy is the Government’s ten-year plan to help more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people build sustainable businesses that will support themselves, their families and their communities. The Strategy has four pillars: better access to business support, improved capital access, stronger networks, and improved access to data. The following actions will be rolled out in the first three years of the Strategy:
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) provides assistance to Indigenous Australians to acquire establish and grow their business. Under the Business Development and Assistance Programme, IBA delivers business and capital support to Indigenous Australians who are starting up, or growing, their businesses. IBA can provide business support services, concessional finance and range of other products including Start Up Packages, Procurement Loans and Performance Bonds. For more information, go to www.iba.gov.au.
A key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industry sectors and products, including inbound tourism and the export of intellectual property and know-how outside Australia. The EMDG scheme:
The Pacific Labour Scheme enables citizens of select Pacific island countries to take up low and semi-skilled work opportunities in rural and regional Australia for up to three years. Through these opportunities Pacific island workers will earn income and develop skills which will benefit their families and communities. Administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Pacific Labour Scheme will help fill labour gaps in Australia’s towns and on our farms, boosting economic activity and competitiveness in rural and regional Australia.
Export Finance Australia is the Australian Government’s export credit agency and provides loans and guarantees to Australian export-related businesses when their bank may be unable to help. If you're a business that provides tourism services directly, or through the supply chain, to international tourists and you need finance to help you grow the international side of your business, Export Finance Australia can help. To find out more download Export Finance Australia's free eBook, Financing your international tourism business.
The extension of the Drought Communities Programme provides funding of $250 million to eligible councils for drought-affected regions of Australia. The program supports local community infrastructure and other drought relief projects for communities impacted by drought. Eligible councils listed and invited by the Minister to apply are entitled to up to $1 million for local community infrastructure and other drought relief projects.