OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

Australian Small Business Advisory Services Programme

The Small Business Minister Bruce Billson announced the opening of applications for the Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) Programme.

ASBAS aims to build on the previous success of the Small Business Advisory Services programme which has helped more than 230,000 small businesses since its introduction in 2008.

Programme details

The ASBAS programme is a merit based competitive grant programme. Its objective is to improve the capacity of established, not-for-profit small business advisory service providers to deliver low cost small business advisory and information services.

Who is invited to apply?

ASBAS is open to established, not-for-profit small business advisory service providers such as Registered Business Organisations. A Registered Business Organisation is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation that provides low cost services to small businesses to help them achieve productivity and/or competitiveness and can include organisations such as:

•     Business Enterprise Centres

•     Chambers of Commerce, and

•     Industry Associations.

Established, not-for-profit, small business advisory service providers are expected to:

•     have a demonstrated history of providing small business advisory services to small  businesses for some years

•     be well connected with the business community in the region proposed to be serviced by the project

•     be well connected to other relevant organisations, information sources and government agencies

•     be organisationally stable

•     be financially viable, and

•     employ sufficient experienced staff to provide services across all five of the business solutions streams across the entire region to be serviced by the project.

The applicants must be a constitutional corporation, that is:

•     a business conducted by a corporation within the meaning of s51(xx) of the Australian Constitution, or

•     a business whose operations are entirely carried out in a Territory.

In addition, at the time of submitting an application for funding, the applicant must also meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

•     be a not-for-profit organisation

•     have an Australian Business Number (ABN), and

•     be a Registered Business Organisation.

How to apply and the closing date

Applications for funding must be submitted online and must be submitted by the specified closing date and time. All information required for assessment must be provided by the specified closing date and time. The online application form can be accessed via www.business.gov.au/asbas.

Applications close at 11.59pm (AEDST) on Wednesday 12 November 2014.

Information for potential applicants

More information about the ASBAS programme is available at www.business.gov.au/asbas or by contacting13 28 46.

The department will host a series of information teleconferences for potential applicants on Monday 20 October and a webinar for potential applicants on Tuesday 28 October. The teleconferences and webinar will provide an overview of the programme and its priorities, followed by a Q&A session which will enable potential applicants to submit questions to a panel of senior Department of Industry and Treasury representatives. For more information about the teleconferences and webinar, go towww.business.gov.au/asbas.

A recording and transcript of the webinar will also be available on business.gov.au shortly after the event.

Communications and marketing

Phase 1 of the ASBAS Marketing and Communications Strategy has been developed for the opening of applications. Business.gov.au is advertising the round on its carousel on the homepage. There will also be tweets and update to its Facebook page.

A range of interested parties, including current and past providers, and those who have registered for ASBAS updates through business.gov.au will receive direct emails.

The SBAS newsletter will be re-badged as the ASBAS Network newsletter with a ‘launch’ edition early next week announcing the new round.

Phase 2 of the strategy is currently under development and will address how the programme is marketed consistently by successful applicants.

Programme delivery information and contacts

ASBAS is delivered by AusIndustry. The Treasury has policy responsibility for the programme. Successful applicants will be managed through the Customer Service Managers’ network, with the programme management team located within the AusIndustry – Business Services Division in Canberra.

Programme Manager:  

Lisa Wilson

Manager, Small Business Programmes

Phone: (02) 6213 7363

 

Inquiries about implementation can be directed to:

Mary Kershaw

Assistant Manager, Small Business Programmes

Phone: (02) 6213 7019