Suite 2
125 Castlereagh Street
LIVERPOOL NSW 2170
Phone 02 9822 2279
Thank you to our sponsors
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS NEWS
- News and features
The latest news, announcements & related links...
HOW TO GUIDES
- Thinking of starting a business
Are you ready? Need help with planning, raising finance or writing your business plan? These guides and templates can help. - Starting a business
Ready to start? Here's information on starting a new business, a home-based business and buying a business or franchise. - Exiting a business
Closing or selling your business? Find out about succession planning, bankruptcy, deregistering your business and employee payments.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
- business.gov.au checklists (link coming soon)
The business.gov.au Starting your business checklist and Growing your business checklist will guide you through the various stages of your business, whether you're just starting or ready to grow. - Desktop business assistant
The Desktop business assistant is a simple tool that 'hovers' on your desktop. It's your own entry point to the business.gov.au website. From tool you can access current news and features, quick links to business.gov.au services and our business.gov.au search. - Government and business associations directory
Contains details for federal, state, territory and local governments and business associations. You can search either by the name of an organisation or by key words, or browse an alphabetical list. - Starting your business checklist
The checklist contains a series of questions to guide you through the various stages of your business including before you start, when you start, when you buy and when you run your business. - Growing your business checklist (link coming soon)
- Business consultation website
Register. Be consulted. Have your say.
BUSINESS TOPICS
- Employing people
Good employees can be your greatest asset, so recruiting and retaining the right person is very important. Find out your obligations... - Environmental management
As a business you could have some impact on the environment, whether large or small... - Importing and exporting
If you import goods into Australia, you will be affected by certain government regulations. Expanding your market can bring enormous benefits to your business, but successful exporting doesn't happen by accident... - Fair trading
In Australia federal and state laws protect you, your business and your customers from unfair trading practices... - Franchising
Franchising allows one business to operate under the name of another business' established brand and sell a prescribed product or service. Franchising can seem like an easy way of starting or expanding your business, but it's not something you should rush into without the proper knowledge. Whether you are buying a franchise or franchising your own business, it requires a significant investment of your time and money. - Grants and assistance
Grants and other funding programs are available from the federal, state and territory governments and in some cases from local councils... - Home-based business
If you're running a home-based business there are a wide range of government requirements that may apply to you... - Independent contractors
As a basic definition, independent contractors run their own business, and hire out their time to businesses and other organisations as a service. - Insurance
Insurance is an essential part of running any business. If you are operating a small business you need more than just property insurance... - Intellectual property
Intellectual property covers a range of laws that give individuals and businesses exclusive rights over their creative and inventive projects. - Market research and statistics
To run a successful business you need to know all about your potential and existing customers and the marketplace you operate in... - Occupational health and safety
Safety in the workplace is critical to the success of running a business, no matter what size it is... - Online business
Are you interested in starting an online business? By trading online you can save time and money, reduce your overheads and reach a much wider market... - Registration and licences
When you're starting up a new business it's important to find out what registration and licences apply to you... - Taxation
Understanding taxes and meeting your taxation obligations can save you money... - Tenders and contracts
Selling goods and services to government is an important opportunity for all businesses. Find out about tender opportunities...
This information is brought to you by business.gov.au, your business gateway to government information and services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who and what are Business Enterprise Centres?
Business Enterprise Centres are community-based not-for-profit business assistance organisations that are incorporated and supported by a local board of management. They are designed to facilitate the creation, retention and development of sustainable business enterprises and foster local economic development.BECs through their successful public/private partnerships with governments, private enterprise and local communities across Australia provide practical confidential business facilitation services. Additionally these partnerships provide BEC clients access to a wealth of professional services and government programs.
Because they are locally based and operated, the BEC staff have an appreciation of the regional issues affecting businesses and are able to tailor advice to suit the specific needs of your business.
How do I know if an organisation is a member of BEC Australia?
On our website, listed under "National Network" is a state by state listing of member BECs and Associate Members. In addition, members of BEC Australia are authorized to use the logo you see displayed on this page.
Why should I choose to use a BEC Australia member?
BECs are part of their local business community, have local knowledge and many local contacts. In addition BEC Australia has approximately 100 members around Australia. Within this network is a huge amount of specialist knowledge, including retailing, manufacturing, fashion, tourism and agricultural sectors. If the precise expertise you are seeking is not available at your local BEC, members have the ability to call on other members for assistance and specialist advice. This is also extremely important when a business is looking for assistance to expand as BECs can call upon colleagues in target areas for regional specific information.
What sort of services do BECs provide?
BECs provide a variety of services, from business start-up advice and assistance to mentoring, seminars, business plan assistance and skills training. They can also assist in facilitating business-to-business networking opportunities and provide information on grants and assistance that may be available to business at that time. Most BECs have a regular newsletter they send to clients, keeping them up-to-date with business news and letting them know of networking events coming up in the local area. In addition BECs have formed a number of local, state and national sponsorships and alliances that provide benefits to their clients.
How much does it cost to utilize a BEC's service?
Most BECs offer an initial interview at no or low cost (this largely depends how the centre is funded). From that point, there are different pathways that can be taken and this will affect the cost of services. Generally speaking, specialized areas will attract a fee - but the amount can vary and be directly linked to the action plan mapped out for the business which requests assistance.
Most BECs do not charge a fee for a business to be included on email newsletter groups and receive information. Some BECs do run official business clubs which offer services and discounts above a newsletter and an annual membership fee is connected with these.
What if there is no BEC in my local area?
Contact BEC Australia and we will refer you to either your closest BEC or, for specific requests, to a subject matter expert for assistance with your query. It is a goal to expand the network over time, so all queries will be responded to and locations noted so we know which areas we should target first. In many cases we can also cross-refer you to another organization in your area which may be able to provide some face to face assistance.
Can a BEC help me with business start up advice?
There is a huge amount of information available to people wanting to start their own businesses. BECs can not only assist you in accessing this information, but can also help you navigate your way through many of the decisions involved in commencing a business including business structure, registering for GST and business planning. Assisting new business is a key area of BEC services.
I'm an established business...can a BEC assist me with business planning?
Absolutely. A business plan is a dynamic document and should change with your business as your business matures and achieves new levels...or meets new challenges. BEC Australia sells an excellent business planning CD which can be purchased online through our website or through your local BEC. The CD includes video, financial tables and steps your through creating your marketing, financial and operating plans.
I'm a home based business...what help can I get?
Home Based Businesses make up a significant portion of the micro and small business sectors in Australia. BECs can help you with your business planning and other needs. They also offer face-to-face contact and networking opportunities that are so important to independent professionals (who choose to base themselves from home!)
Do BECs provide business training?
The answer to this question depends on the individual BECs. Some BECs are RTOs and can offer business units from the Business Services Training Package. Many BECs are NEIS providers and therefore offer the Certificate IV in Small Business. Other BECs offer less formal training - more along the lines of professional development - in the form of seminars and guest lecturers. You need to talk to your local BEC about this. If they can't provide the training, they will certainly be able to put you in contact with an organisation that can.
Can I get any computer training from BECs?
Through the BEC Australia network you can access the BECA LearnKey Advantage and receive training for you and your staff in the Microsoft® Office suite of applications. This training is online, meaning that you can access it in your own home or office at a time convenient to you. There is a small fee for this training, which is substantially less than similar courses would cost at other institutions. From this training you can also sit exams to gain Microsoft® Certification.