Initiatives for small business

The Office for Small and Family Business delivers an annual small business week to celebrate the contribution of small businesses to the economy and our community. Whether starting, running, or growing a business, this week-long program provides an opportunity to connect, learn and grow.

Dedicated Small Business Support Officers within the Office for Small and Family Business provide in-person and online support to small businesses located in regional and metropolitan areas.

These support officers consider the unique needs of each business to provide relevant information and facilitate connections to services and advice.

Regional chambers of commerce are important in supporting local small businesses. They will be supported through dedicated Small Business Support Officers who will consider the unique needs of each region and provide relevant support.

The Workforce Planning and Development Toolkit will provide a suite of resources to guide businesses through understanding, planning and addressing their workforce needs to assist them to become an employer of choice.

Register your interest and be the first to know when the toolkit is launched.

The South Australian Skills Plan, launched by Skills SA in March 2024, is focused on developing highly adaptable skilled people that contribute to a thriving South Australia and are supported by a connected skills system.

The 2024 Jobs and Skills Outlook and Skills Investment Plan will be announced soon.

Programs that help small businesses address key skills and workforce shortages are critical to support growth and success.

Small businesses are being connected to initiatives such as technical colleges, fee-free TAFE and vocational education and skills centres through the Business Support Officers; and can connect to school students by promoting appropriate career and immersion opportunities through the Department for Education’s Student Pathways website and raise student awareness by working with the Industry Engagement team.

The Small Business Fundamentals Program supports partner organisations to deliver business fundamentals and capability-building services such as:

• human resources management
• workforce development and planning
• becoming an employer of choice
• transition or succession planning
• strategic planning.

This program has a focus on supporting regional businesses and specific target groups, including First Nations people, women, business owners living with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) business owners.

The Small Business Fundamentals Program supports partner organisations to deliver business fundamentals and capability-building services such as:

• mentoring and coaching
• digital literacy and planning
• developing digital business models
• growth strategies

This program has a focus on supporting regional businesses and specific target groups, including First Nations people, women, business owners living with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) business owners.

The Small Business Fundamentals Program supports partner organisations to deliver business fundamentals and capability-building services such as:

• transition or succession planning
• growth strategies
• strategic planning.

This program has a focus on supporting regional businesses and specific target groups, including First Nations people, women, business owners living with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) business owners.

The Office for Small and Family Business will develop and provide small business fact sheets and business information in languages other than English to support culturally and linguistically diverse business owners.

The Small Business Fundamentals Program supports partner organisations to deliver business fundamentals and capability-building services such as:

• mentoring and coaching
• human resources management
• workforce development and planning
• becoming an employer of choice
• growth strategies
• strategic planning.

This program has a focus on supporting regional businesses and specific target groups, including First Nations people, women, business owners living with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) business owners.

The South Australian Government has set a $425 million per year target to increase government work awarded to local businesses.

Businesses are provided with assistance to become tender ready through regular, industry-specific workshops conducted by the Industry Advocate.

The South Australian Small Business Commissioner provides feedback on key government legislation, regulation, policies and cabinet decisions that impact small business.

Its Gov to You initiative is also supporting better connections between small businesses and government.

A program of regular engagement will be developed between the Office for Small and Family Business and key regional and local government business agencies, industry associations and chambers of commerce to facilitate improved collaboration, information sharing, and business capability building.

A range of supports are available to help small businesses explore, start and expand their exporting journey.

• Export 101 - start exploring the export resources
• Export ready - take the next step to exporting and contact the Export Advisers
• Export expansion - growing your export business to the next level.

The Office for Small and Family Business website provides a single source for information and available services from all levels of government, including a directory of industry associations to point businesses to industry-specific support to help their businesses.

We are delivering workshops, networking opportunities, seminars and engagements across a range of topics, delivered direct to businesses in metropolitan and regional areas. Direct engagement with small businesses will improve awareness and uptake of new and existing support and services for small businesses.

The Office for Small and Family Business is working with government agencies to review forms and application processes to ensure that the least regulatory burden possible is placed on small and family businesses in South Australia.

Dedicated Small Business Support Officers within the Office for Small and Family Business provide consistent, in-person and online support to small businesses located in regional and metropolitan areas.

These support officers consider the unique needs of each business to provide relevant information and facilitate connections to services and advice.