Spotlight on Business Victoria
Business Victoria is the brand attached to activities and programs delivered by State Government to support Victorian businesses.
It helps businesses by solving problems, improving skills, making compliance easier, distributing grants and even accessing new markets.
Here we break down the key Business Victoria resources we think can assist your business to be stronger and save money.
This resource has a wealth of information and tools for local small businesses and by being online, it’s accessible whenever it suits your schedule, at the touch of a button.
The free advice, resources and templates are very practical and designed to help you start up or grow your business.
The Grant section of the website is a great place to start. Use the handy search filters to see which grant programs your business is eligible to apply for. It also lists grants from other state departments that may have funding available to businesses. For instance, energy saving grants offered by the department of sustainability can help you fund the capital costs involved in switching to newer, more efficient plant and equipment or cheaper energy sources.
The Upskill My Business section is a relatively new addition that has online training courses that you can access for free. These courses have been made available from a range of providers in response to the COVID-19 restrictions and there’s bound to be something that you can tap into to help you with your particular business challenges.
Our hospitality sector will find the COVID-19 operating Guidelines and restrictions insightful. Complete the checklists, read the fact sheets, and download signage and posters to help your business safely reopen when permitted to do so.
The business hub section is a useful forum where business leaders and industry experts are invited to submit some business related advice on their field of expertise. This is an excellent way to get free market intelligence and advice you can apply to your business.
If you have expertise in your field, then offering to be a contributor to the business hub is a cost effective way of getting your name out in the market place as a thought leader on your topic speciality.
Another feature to take advantage of on the Business Victoria website is their free subscription service. That way you will never miss out on any tips, tools, templates, grants and events they have to run and grow your business by having them delivered directly to your inbox.
The Western Metropolitan Victorian Government Business Office
The Western Metropolitan Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) implements many of the Business Victoria initiatives and programs. So if you need to discuss or explore options over the phone give one of their Investment Specialists a call. Ask them about the ways they can support your business. Perhaps you need guidance on how to navigate your way through state government services, programs and regulations.
Contact Chris Botha, the VGBO Investment Specialist for the City of Melton to discuss the Business Victoria program on 0409 818 513 or email Chris.Botha@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Help not just in Victoria – but worldwide
Business Victoria can provide support via its overseas connections if you need a hand to enter export markets. Its state government partner Global Victoria’s international network of over 20 Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices can work with you to build your export capabilities and connect you with buyers.
They work closely with priority industry sectors, including medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, new energy technology, food and fibre, transport technologies, defence, construction technologies, international education and professional services.
Global Victoria’s Export skills program provides new exporters with essential education and training to be export-ready. The Victorian Government offers this program through partnerships with various industry associations.
Global Victoria’s Access Program offers export-related assistance and in-country expertise to Victorian companies visiting overseas markets, particularly the Americas, Japan, South Korea, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, China, India and Southeast Asia.
Check out this export readiness tool to see if your business is ready for expansion overseas and watch the video below on what they do and how they do it.
These are just a few of the ways Business Victoria and other state departments can assist your business, so take a look at their website www.business.vic.gov.au you will be surprised at want you will find.
Peter Forbes
Business & Industry Development Officer