Small Business
After 500 days since the last Victorian budget, today Premier Daniel Andrews and Treasurer Tim Pallas announced their government’s plan for the state’s economic recovery from the coronavirus recession. With interest rates at historic lows, and not going anywhere for a while, the budget revealed a state debt of a record $155 billion in the […]
The outbreak of COVID-19 has shaken even the world’s largest organisations, with 94 per cent of Fortune 1000 companies seeing coronavirus supply chain disruptions and, despite their perceived ability to be nimble and agile, small businesses, start-ups and scale-ups are not immune. As the nation collectively carves out a path forward through the peak of […]
As part of the 2020-21 Federal Budget announced in October, the government unveiled the JobMaker Hiring Credit to incentivise businesses to hire young job seekers over the next 12 months. The credit will cost $4bn over three years to support the employment of 450,000 people aged 35 and younger. It is expected to create around 450,000 positions […]
As part of its recently announced Digital Business Plan, the Federal Government has committed AUD3.6 million towards mandating the adoption of electronic invoicing for all Commonwealth government agencies. The move aims to encourage greater adoption amongst businesses supplying to government and within their supply chains. The mandate comes into effect as of 1 July 2022 and […]
As the world continues to shift in a “green direction” and Australia heads towards a target of net-zero emissions, it is becoming increasingly important for SMEs to be looking to renewable energy sources to power their businesses. Currently, only 46 per cent of all Australian businesses are using renewable energy, and of those users, two-thirds […]
The NSW Government is giving every adult $100 in vouchers to spend on dining and entertainment in a bid to resuscitate small businesses that have been among the most affected by the recession. Anyone over the age of 18 will receive four $25 vouchers to be used at COVID-Safe venues across the state, through the […]
As online shopping merges with entertainment and celebrity culture, retailers with a fun sales process will be the winners according to Maggie Zhou, Managing Director of Alibaba Group (Australia and NZ). Ms Zhou made this observation during Alibaba’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, which has been held on 11th November for the last 12 years. The 2020 event […]
The NSW Government today unveiled the 2020-21 landmark budget for the state, to enable a “strong recovery” out of the coronavirus recession. In an address presented by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet at Parliament House in Sydney, the Treasurer said: “This Budget continues to support the industries that have made our regions so successful for so […]
H2X Marine, the new boat building arm of Australia’s leading Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle manufacturer, has partnered with Brisbane small business, Wildcat Marine, to commence construction on ferries powered by renewable energy. The company will initially produce a range of zero-emission passenger ferries for industrial and commercial use each driven by Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. […]
Australian Federal and State Governments offer more than 1,000 grants and funding programs each year targeting different sectors and different types of activities from ‘cleaner tech’ to ‘accelerating commercialisation’. While grants can be a game-changer for your business the application process is often difficult and time-consuming (to say the least). In this article, we’ll discuss […]
A national business poll has been released showing one in three SMEs are considering closing or selling their business within the next six months, due to the impact of the COVID-19 recession, unless there is a significant improvement in conditions. The poll conducted by ScotPac, Australia and New Zealand’s largest non-bank SME lender, has also […]
A few months ago we were still unsure whether remote working would last. Many assumed that as the COVID-19 situation eased up and gatherings of people would be allowed again, everyone would be back into the office. But it is now clear: remote working is here to stay. Most companies in Australia have decided to […]
For many organisations, business survival in a COVID-19 world has relied on their ability to reduce costs quickly. One way to lower costs and ensure business continuity in the wake of future disasters is to outsource key activities to affordable offshore locations. Traditionally, Australian companies have outsourced key functions ranging from back-office administration and finance functions […]
Melbourne based events business Woohah Productions have pivoted their 19-year-old business to adjust to coronavirus lockdowns and revenue declines, resulting in major growth for the business during an exceptionally tumultuous period. It was estimated that cancellations in the Australian events sector would account for the loss of $35 billion and 92,000 jobs for the economy […]
Australian sustainable packaging startup Planet Protector Packaging has been one victim of the Chinese-Australian trade tensions, after their deal to provide the packaging of rock lobster exports was put on hold. Planet Protector Packaging (PPP) was established in 2016 in response to the global plastic waste crisis. Their product aims to eliminate polystyrene from supply […]
Steve and Nick Tidball don’t believe in following the rules. The British twin brothers ignored traditional business thinking when they co-founded Vollebak in 2016, by using science and technology to create clothing for the future. Steve and Nick were two of the biggest names in advertising and knew little about running a clothing line when […]
A record number of Australian companies are participating in the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), open from 5 to 10 November 2020. The annual event is hosted by China in Shanghai and is the world’s first import-themed trade fair. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and trade tensions between Australia and China, more than […]
New research has shown the coronavirus lockdown has reignited Australia’s love for shopping locally, with 91 per cent claiming they are now spending up to $200 per week on their local high street. Takeaway shops, cafes, restaurants and bakeries are among those who have had the biggest bounce since lockdown, according to research commissioned by […]
A 1.75 per cent increase to minimum wages has come into place, as part of the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review announced in June. Usually, minimum wage increases take effect from the beginning of the financial year. However the wage increases for a number of industries have been delayed due to the effects of […]
Research shows that products that use the Australian Made logo have an advantage in the international market, with 97 per cent of overseas consumers adopting a positive first impression of the logo. Ben Lazzaro, CEO of Australian Made, said that the iconic green and gold kangaroo has provided an effective way for shoppers around the […]
