Top 10 resources to help your small business

Running a small business can be rewarding, but it comes with a wide range of challenges –financial, operational, IT, compliance and more. While there is no shortage of resources to help small businesses, we’ve curated ten that we believe every small business owner should know about. 

1. Service NSW Business Bureau  

The Business Bureau provides free personalised support throughout your business journey, including: Accessing government programs and services, applying for licences and permits, setting up and expanding your business, and selling your goods and services to the NSW Government.  

To contact the Bureau, call 13 77 88, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm or book a call.  

2. Business.gov.au 

 From registering for an ABN and choosing a business structure to developing a marketing plan, this site has resources on all aspects of setting up and running a business, including checklists and templates. 

For more information, visit Business.gov.au. 

3. Small Business Showcase on workplace rights and obligations 

These online resources hosted by the Fair Work Ombudsman focus on employee management, including the hiring process, paying employees, managing performance, leave and ending employment. 

For more information, visit the Small Business Showcase. 

4. Small business toolkit on competition and consumer essentials 

An initiative of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, this toolkit provides detailed information aimed at ensuring small business owners know their rights and responsibilities when dealing with customers, competitors, and suppliers. 

For more information, visit the Small business toolkit. 

5. Tax and super essentials for small business 

Hosted by the Australian Taxation Office, the free modules on this page cover many aspects of starting and managing your business. Topics include cash flow, record keeping, GST, and claiming deductions. 

For more information, visit the Essentials page. 

6. Workforce Australia 

This recruitment portal allows business to search for job candidates and advertise jobs, as well as access support for hiring. 

For more information, visit Workforce Australia. 

7. Digital marketing 

This program, run by not-for-profit Digital Solutions, aims to help businesses harness opportunities and grow in the digital economy. It consists of up to 4 hours of one-on-one digital advice from a business adviser for a small fee. 

For more information, visit Digital Solutions. 

8. Cyber resilience 

IDCare is a not-for-profit national service that offers help to small businesses who have experienced a cyber incident or want to take action to mitigate the risk of cyber-crime. One-on-one support includes access to an incident response hotline, a cyber advisor, and a cyber health check. 

For more information, visit IDCare. 

9. Mental health support 

Caring for the mental health of small business owners is the focus of Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO), a free program consisting of six coaching sessions. Coaches with a background in small business work with you to develop practical tools for managing stress, building resilience, and navigating both personal and professional challenges.  

For more information, visit NASBO. 

10. Issues and dispute resolution 

The NSW Small Business Commission is a central point of contact for small businesses to raise issues and get help in their dealings with other businesses or government agencies. Its mediation service assists parties to find out-of-court resolutions at the earliest stage, saving businesses time, money, and stress.  Contact the Commission.