The Department of Innovation proudly supports a wide range of initiatives and detailed information on current government policy, programs and projects in relation to small business.
For a complete list of agency websites that fall within the Innovation porftolio visit the website directory list page.
business.gov.au
business.gov.au is an easy to use portal website where you can find helpful information and practical tools to help you start, run or grow your small business.
Small Business Support Line
The national Small Business Support Line provides small business owners with a single point of contact for access to information and referral services to improve their business sustainability and better manage their business. The Small Business Support Line also maintains the Small Business Credit Complaints Clearing House Form.
If you have questions about, your business, general business information, referral services or any other queries, you can visit the Small Business Support Live Chat page and speak to a Small Business Support line agent.
The Small Business Support Line and Live Chat is open 8am - 8pm (AEDST) Monday to Friday.
Telephone: 1800 77 7275
Email: SBSL@innovation.gov.au
Chat: Login to chat
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Retail Tenancy
On 19 June 2007, the former Treasurer announced the Productivity Commission Inquiry: The Market for Retail Tenancy Leases in Australia. The Inquiry stemmed from issues arising from differences in retail tenancy laws between the states, in addition to concerns of small business that elements of the market for retail leases are being distorted, leading to exploitation of tenants.
The final Productivity Commission report [
PDF 44KB] was released On 27 August 2008.
Check the Productivity Commission website for further information on the Productivity Commission Inquiry: The Market for Retail Tenancy Leases in Australia.
Legal Help Guide for Small Business
Are you having trouble with your landlord about the renewal of your lease? Or wondering where you stand on dismissing an employee who is not pulling their weight? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your first move should be to a free internet-based guide that has been specifically developed to help small business operators and their advisers on legal issues
The Legal Help Guide may be able to help. You will find information about legal issues affecting small business, sources of assistance and preventative measures.
Look before you lease: Avoiding the pitfalls in retail leasing
The Look before you lease: Avoiding the pitfalls in retail leasing booklet [ PDF 1MB] gives warnings and checklists to help people decide how and when to ask for expert help when signing a new lease for a business location.
Visit the look before you lease page for further information.
Australian Business Number Business Names Registration Project
The Australian Government is providing $125.2 million over four years from 2010-11 for the Australian Business Number Business Names Registration Project.
Small Business Dispute Resolution Research
A summary report [
PDF 311KB] [
RTF 14.6MB] of a survey investigating business-to-business dispute resolution issues for small business.
Small Business Ministerial Council
The SBMC provides a forum for Ministers to discuss small business issues and promotes a national approach to small business policy and development.
Small Business Advisory Committee
The SBAC has been established as part of the Government’s Better Regulation Agenda.
The SBAC is responsible for reviewing and providing expert advice on regulatory proposals that have a significant impact on small business.