Want to Start Your Own Business

Important Changes to ETC’s Business Programs

From 1 July 2022, Self-Employment Assistance will replace the current New Business Assistance with NEIS program. NEIS participants will continue to be supported in their NEIS business.

Self-Employment Assistance can assist you to turn your business ideas, or your existing micro-business (with up to 4 employees) into a commercially viable business.

Get help to explore, run and operate your new or existing micro-business through tailored advice and mentoring. There is a range of support available, from getting help with your business idea, developing business plans and small business training to receiving tailored business advice so that your business becomes financially viable.

For more information about Self-Employment Assistance, please visit the Self-Employment Assistance Services page on the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment website (dese.gov.au).

ETC will continue to deliver the NEIS Program until 30 June in the Mid North Coast and North Coast regions of NSW. From 1 July ETC will start delivering Self-Employment Assistance in the following 8 regions:

• Hunter: Charlestown, Cessnock, Maitland, Mayfield, Newcastle, Raymond Terrace, Toronto
• New England and North West: Armidale, Tamworth, Inverell, Glen Innes
• North Coast: Ballina, Byron Bay, Casino, Lismore, Grafton, Murwillumbah
• Gold Coast: Coomera, Helensvale, Miami, Nerang, Palm Beach, Robina, Southport, Tweed Heads
• Brisbane South East: Beenleigh, Browns Plains, Capalaba, Logan Central, Stones Corner, Upper Mount Gravatt, Wynnum
• Wivenhoe: Ipswich, Springfield Central, Goodna, Richlands
• Somerset: Chermside, Caboolture, Deception Bay, Kippa-Ring, Mitchelton, Nundah, Strathpine
• Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast: Caloundra, Gympie, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Nambour, Noosaville, Pialba, Bundaberg

Please complete the Enquiry form on this page if you have any questions.

Jump to:

• Exploring Being My Own Boss
• New Business Assistance with NEIS

Exploring Being My Own Boss Workshop

Are you interested in exploring being an entrepreneur or starting your own business?

The Exploring Being My Own Boss Workshops can give you an understanding of self-employment and entrepreneurship. This might suit if you have a business idea, or dream of being your own boss, but don’t know where to start.

The two-week Exploring Being My Own Boss workshops will give you an amazing head start. By the end of this free program, you’ll be better able to identify business opportunities and understand what’s involved when starting a business. You may even want to apply to participate in the NEIS program following this!

The Workshop is conducted over 2 consecutive weeks, 25 hours per week and covers 10 core topics, including help with a business idea, marketing and business finances.

New Business Assistance with NEIS

Want to start your own business?

New Business Assistance with NEIS (New Enterprise Incentives Scheme) is a program that can help you start your own business.

The NEIS program provides:

• accredited small business training
• personalised mentoring and support from a NEIS provider in the first year of the new business to help put the business idea into practice
• income support for up to 39 weeks (NEIS Allowance) and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks (if eligible).

The NEIS Team will verify if you are eligible to participate, consider possible previous business experience or qualifications and will also assess your business idea to ensure it meets the business eligibility criteria.

ETC currently provides New Business Assistance with NEIS and Exploring Being My Own Boss in the NSW North Coast and NSW Greater Mid North Coast regions. If you live outside of these locations, then you will need to contact another provider for these programs. You can find a list of providers on the jobactive find a provider page.

Have a question? View Frequently Asked Questions

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Resources

Download the Exploring Being My Own Boss factsheet

Download the New Business Assistance with NEIS factsheet

Download the Thinking About Starting Your Own Business factsheet for Veterans