Adam Crouch

Delivering for Central Coast Businesses

How The Liberal-National NSW

Government Continues To Support Our Region’s Innovation and Ingenuity

As we round out a highly successful calendar year, I would like to take the opportunity to celebrate how the NSW Government has, and continues to, support regional businesses. The Central Coast is in a unique position, particularly given its proximity to Sydney, to prosper as a regional capital. By investing in local businesses, innovation, and initiatives, we are investing in a stable future and highly profitable economy.

There are several opportunities available to businesses of any size to take advantage of the NSW Government’s grant funding, community programs, and rebates.

SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate

If you are a small business owner in NSW, then this $1000 rebate is for you. Administered by SafeWork NSW, this rebate is designed to support small businesses to purchase safety items which ensure workplace health and safety. Any business who has fewer than 50 full-time employees and an ABN are eligible to apply.

This is a fantastic initiative which promotes the wellbeing of employees, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to safety. It demonstrates that our Liberal-National Government is committed to ensuring the longevity of small businesses.

Become a Provider for Your Community

As cost of living provides a growing challenge for families, your business can become part of the solution. The NSW Government is presenting an opportunity for businesses to establish themselves as providers for a variety of schemes.

The well-established Seniors Card can promote your business to over 1.9 million seniors. By offering discounts on products and services, seniors with an eligible Seniors Card or Senior Savers Card can redeem at point of purchase. Your business will then be advocated as part of the scheme and listed as part of the online tool, as well as showcased in the annual Seniors Card Directory. The scheme encompasses food and beverage, recreation, travel and accommodation, retail, and other professional services. The widespread uptake of this scheme is attributable to its breadth and sheer variety.

This scheme is available to any business in NSW with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN). I strongly encourage all businesses to engage with this scheme. It is a great opportunity to expand your reach in the community, inviting seniors to become part of your clientele.

The Active Kids and Creative Kids voucher scheme follows a similar model of $50 per child per scheme. For the Active Kids vouchers, the business must offer a regular, moderate to intense level of physical activity in a structured program of at least 8 weeks’ duration. It allows families to reimburse costs such as registration fees, membership fees, and participation fees. Similarly, the Creative Kids voucher can be redeemed at art classes, workshops, music/drama groups, language schools, or any creative endeavour. Eligible projects must be structured to deliver clear creative skill development in a practical setting. Both vouchers are fantastic opportunities to involve the greater community in your business; participation in such schemes ensures that your product or service is more attractive than a competitor who is not participating.

The newest addition to this suite of voucher-based systems are Back to School vouchers. Three $50 vouchers, totalling $150, are available for each eligible child. This can be used to purchase uniforms or school supplies, meaning businesses that sell such products can attract increased clientele by signing on as a provider. This is a great opportunity for businesses to promote themselves in the community, again enticing and expanding your customer base. From December of 2022, businesses can accept vouchers.

Registration is currently available from the Service NSW site for all vouchers.

Supporting Women in Business

Empowering women is a priority of the NSW Government. Encouraging engagement with the workplace, supporting return to work, and providing resources to educate women is business is a key part of this vision.

Through Service NSW, women looking to begin, run and grow their business can access funding, education, and establish networks, to succeed. For example, women in business can access fully subsidised online programs to assist in the establishment of a business or manage a current business. They can speak to real mentors, connecting with other businesswomen, investors, and industry communities to launch their new career. This is an incredible opportunity which I implore women interested or involved in business to take advantage of.

Disaster Support for Affected Businesses

Recent weather events have undoubtedly challenged our community, particularly in low lying areas of the Central Coast region. I strongly encourage local businesses affected by either the February/March, June/July, or August/September flooding to check their eligibility for business support. Disaster assistance is key to ensure businesses can re-establish themselves after such a major setback.

Packages including Disaster Relief Loans for Primary Producers of up to $130,000 in concessional loans, or Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery for Small Business Grant, valued at up to $50,000, are available to eligible enterprises. I strongly encourage your business to engage with these packages if you have

been affected by recent tumultuous weather. Further information is available on the Service NSW Website.

NSW Business Connect: Showcasing Your Small Business

Another outstanding opportunity for regional Central Coast small businesses is the NSW Government’s Business Connect. This is a dedicated, personalised government program which provides independent advice, information and resources, and event dates to support businesses to begin, adapt and grow.

One-on-one advisory sessions with independent professionals who have a wealth of experience running their own business, key qualifications, and advisory experience could be precisely what your business needs to advance.

From conception to delivery, the team can assist in developing and evaluating your business plan. For established businesses, they can provide guidance and practical tips on a wide variety of areas, including business planning, growing a digital presence, managing finances, and cyber security.

I cannot speak highly enough of this resource. It has demonstrated capacity to better support your business endeavours. Further information regarding Business Connect, and other avenues of NSW Government support is available on the Service NSW website.