RBHQ August NEWSLETTER

In this newsletter:
• Membership of Regional Business HQ is now open
• Learn to sell how your customer buys using Tick Personality Profiling
• What’s on at The Generator
• Small Business Information Network
• BusinessBalance
• Business LEAP client testimonial
• Grants and Funding Opportunities
• Upcoming Events

Membership is now open
Membership to Regional Business HQ is now open! As an introductory offer, we are giving businesses a 25% discount if you sign up prior to the end of September using the code launch25.

Membership benefits include:
• a profile on our members directory on the website
• quarterly profile of members on our social media channels
• free attendance for 2 staff members at members networking events, launching at one event every two months
• one yearly profile feature in our newsletter (up to 250 words)
• participation in a future podcast series
• promotion of member specials on Regional Business HQ social media
• 10% discount on any Regional Business HQ offering (excluding tenancies)
You can join on our website – https://www.businesshq.org.au/product/rbhq-associate-membership/
Save the date – Members networking function
The first members networking function is planned for Thursday 26 August. All members will be invited after details of the event have been confirmed.

Learn to sell how your customer buys with TICK profiling

Regional Business HQ is excited to partner with Tick Profiling Tools to offer TICK personality profiles and workshops!

What is TICK?
The TICK system is designed with the ordinary person in mind. While TICK is similar to other models on the market, where it differs is in its simplicity and practicality.
Many people find other models to be hard to understand and remember. Within a few days, the complex acronyms and 16 profiles are often largely forgotten. Therefore, other personality tests can have limited long-term effect on team behaviour or understanding.

Tick’s profiling tools are the simpler and more effective alternative:
1. Tick personality profiles are based on a combination of four birds (eagle, peacock, owl, dove)
2. The bird profiles offer instant understanding and don’t require very much explanation
3. Team members will easily remember the bird profiles of their entire team
4. The insights are so clear and intuitive that the team’s behaviour changes almost automatically

For more information on TICK Personality profiles, visit: RBHQ TICK Personailty Profiles
Tuesday, 31 August 2021 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | Regional Business HQ – Neville Room

Join Regional Business HQ Executive Manager Brooke Fossey in a 2 hour workshop on how to sell how your customer buys using TICK personality profiles.

To RSVP for the FREE TICK personality workshop or to purchase a TICK personality profile (and RSVP to event), visit: RBHQ TICK Personality Profile Workshop

What’s on at The Generator

Regional Business HQ is proud to power the Generator, Wide Bay Burnett’s premiere innovation hub and coworking space.
Every week, the Generator hosts a number of events including startup coffees, lunch and learns and open coworking days. If you want to find out more about what the Generator has on offer, head over to the website – www.thegenerator.org.au

It’s not too late to join the Generator Founders Course

The Generator has partnered with Startup Onramp and Split Spaces to deliver the Founders course.
If you have been sitting on an idea for some time or have a startup that needs a bit of a boost, we highly recommend you join our 2021 Generator Founders Program. The Founders Course is a practical, video-based online course to show you how to start a startup and maximise its chances of success. For startup founders with global ambitions, and anyone with an idea for a startup.

Inclusions:
• Access to the Startup Onramp online Founders Course – Startup Onramp Founders Course website
• 7 weeks online course with weekly group sessions for the duration of the program, hosted at The Generator in Bundaberg or online, joining in with the Mackay cohort for greater networking.
• Access to The Generator coworking and innovation hub for the duration of the Program.
• Graduation and Pitch event – at The Generator in Bundaberg with streaming of the Split Spaces pitches.

Applications are NOW OPEN for The Generator Founders Course, visit: The Generator Founders Course

Hinkler Innovation Awards 2021: Nominations now open!

Regional Business HQ, through the Generator is proud to once again bring you the Hinkler Innovation Awards in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council.
The Hinkler Innovation Awards celebrate an individual making a local, national, and/or global contribution to innovation. The award exists to inspire the same pioneering spirit of Bundaberg-born innovator and adventurer Bert Hinkler.

Birthed, developed, established in 2018 as the brainchild of Morgahna Godwin from Benson Press, the Hinkler Innovation Award is an ode to Bert Hinkler in the beginning stages of his aviation exploration. It is important that the local entrepreneur community, through The Generator, delivers this award to, activate, unite, encourage and foster an innovative and collaborative local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Read up on previous Hinkler Innovation Award winners:
• 2020 winner: Jamie Olsen
• 2019 winners: Greensill Family
• 2018 winner: Eleanor Carey

The Hinkler Innovation Awards are open to all Australian Residents.

Small Business Information Network
On 1 July 2021, the value of goods covered by the definition of ‘consumer’ under the Australian Consumer Law increased from $40,000 to $100,000. This means that the consumer guarantees will apply to more transactions, including when businesses sell to other business.

What is covered

Businesses must guarantee products and services they sell, hire or lease that are:
• under $100,000
• over $100,000 if they are normally bought for personal or household use
• business vehicles and trailers, provided they are used mainly to transport goods.

There are some exceptions. For example, products purchased to be resold, or to be transformed into a product that is sold, are not covered.

What are consumer guarantees?
Businesses must provide these automatic guarantees regardless of any other warranties. If a product or service fails to meet a consumer guarantee, the consumer has the right to a remedy.
A ‘major failure’ is when a reasonable consumer wouldn’t have bought the product or service if they had known about the nature and extent of the failure. In these cases, the consumer can choose to have a product repaired, replaced or refunded.

For a service, they can:
• end the contract and seek a refund
• keep the contract and be compensated for any drop in value.

For other kinds of failure, the business can choose the remedy, but it must do so within a reasonable time. Possible remedies include:
• repairing the faulty good
• replacing it with an identical good
• refunding the consumer
• repairing any defect in the service provided.
Find out more about consumer guarantees and other rules businesses need to follow when treating customers fairly.

BusinessBalance
Supporting Small Business Mental Health and wellbeing
Small Businesses are significant contributors to the Australian Economy – yet they suffer more from symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general population and are under increased financial and emotional pressure as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic. To address this, the Australian Government’s BusinessBalance initiative is providing $7 Million in 2020-21 to support small businesses. This Includes:
• $4.3 million to provide free, accessible and tailored support for small business owners by expanding Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program in partnership with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and
• $2.2 Million to expand a free accredited professional development program that builds the mental health literacy of trusted business advisers so that they can better support small business owners in times of distress, delivered through Deakin University BusinessBalance will help small business owners take proactive steps to improve their mental health.

NewAccess For Small Business Owners
The Australian Government is providing funding to expand Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program to deliver tailored, free and confidential mental health support to small business owners.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is designed to support small business owners manage life stress by providing up to six structured sessions with a trained mental health coach who has a background in small business. No doctor’s referral or mental health treatment plan is required. The program is available nationally and can be accessed via phone or video call.

Counting On U
The Australian Government is providing funding to Deakin University to deliver Counting on U – a professional development program for small business advisers. Counting on U is run in partnership with Institute of Public Accountants, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Beyond Blue, WorkSafe VIC, and Mental Health First Aid integrates mental health first aid training with relationship – centred, business mentoring that will empower small business advisers to better support the mental wellbeing of their small business clients.

Business LEAP

Business LEAP provides practical assistance and support to help you develop business plans and gather information about what is required to start or grow a small business. Business LEAP can help understand aspects of business operation, including legal requirements, licenses, permits and registrations, marketing, financial management, taxation requirements and more. They can also provide referrals to services to help you start and run your own business, and provide tailored mentoring.
Business LEAP Client Testimonial

Hear from Business LEAP client and Principal Owner of Admin Pro Solutions, Kay Knight, about how the Business LEAP team were able to help guide her when starting her own business.

If you are looking to book a session with an Entrepreneurship Facilitator or looking for more information on Business LEAP’s Entrepreneurship Services, check out www.businessleap.org.au, phone 1300 249 482 or email a facilitator on:

• vleeson@businessleap.org.au
• lwilbraham@businessleap.org.au
• jvirtue@businessleap.org.au

Our Partners

Sometimes you come across a hidden gem, and you just can’t stop shouting their praises…

At Regional Business HQ, we are always on the look out for products and services that really help small businesses cut through red tape and remove administrative burden to free up valuable time for people already stretched thin.

Two of the products we are happy to partner with are the Australian Employee Manual and Driversnote. The Australian Employee Manual provides you with a ready to go product that is up to date with all current legislation. Driversnote is an app that makes FBT reporting a breeze! It is simple and easy to use and is available on desktops as well as Android and Apple phones.

A new financial year brings new laws and tax requirements. This year, there have been staggered minimum wage increases as well as increases to super. Trying to keep track of all the changes in legislation can seem impossible. This is where the Australian Employee Manual comes in.

Australian Employee Manual believes in making managing your team easy. When you are in a small business or a not for profit, you may not have a human resources professional on your team or can’t afford to hire a consultant. That’s where Australian Employee Manual can help. Since 2007 Australian Employee Manual has easy to apply employee templates, processes and forms that have been helping small business owners get back to growing their business or delivering a service, rather than spending weeks bogged down writing policies.

These everyday events can trip up the most experienced managers – and derail your whole employee review process unless you know what to do.  Australian Employee Manual, Employee Performance Reviews: Tips Templates & Tactics can help you create a positive employee performance review that create effective and lasting performance improvements.

Are you fed up with trying to manage which work trips are for which client? Then maybe the Driversnote app is something to look at?

Driversnote‘s logbook app is always at hand to record your trips and calculate your reimbursement. Save addresses you visit frequently, add notes and set each trips purpose for a complete mileage log. Driversnote will keep your car logbook ready for download as a PDF or spreadsheet in line with ATO requirements.  The best bit is that it is free for 20 trips per month! If, like us, after trying out the free version you think that the app is worth it to save the headache of manually counting logbook trips, head over to our affiliate page and purchase your subscription.

Driversnote also has an ATO Mileage guide, where you’ll find a collection of articles that will help you navigate the rules of reimbursing employees for their car expenses or deducting expenses as an employee or self-employed individual. Knowing the rules and requirements for mileage logs, and the like, is important, as it could mean the difference between being reimbursed or not.

Our Sponsors

NBN Digital Capability Tool

Do you know your Digital Capability?  Do you want to improve your Digital Capability?

 The new nbn™ Digital Capability Self-Assessment Tool takes just 5 mins for an individual to get an assessment. Whilst there will be many who will be comfortable with their result, there will be others who will want to grasp the opportunity to grow and become more digitally enabled. At the end of the questionnaire the individual will quickly be able to visualise where they fit on a rating scale guide that includes these types: 

• Cautious Adopter – Typically someone at an early stage in developing their digital capabilities and only uses technology for very basic functions, such as sending a text message
• Digitally Responsive – Someone who might only engage with technology in response to a specific need or only when there are limited to no other options.  
• Pragmatist – Someone who is still developing their digital skills however they are capable of figuring things out as they are required.
• Problem solver – Someone who has enough knowledge of most digital capabilities to get by in everyday situations involving technology and is growing in confidence.
• Learner – Someone who is digitally inquisitive is skilled in some digital capabilities but often developing in select areas, and therefore is always eager to learn more.  
• Lifestyler – Someone to whom technology is seamlessly integral to everyday living.
• Visionary – Someone who is advanced across most digital capabilities, however, may still have more to learn in a certain area. 
• Digital leader – Someone who is highly skilled in all things digital and is constantly imagining new and inspiring ways to enhance daily tasks using technology.

NBN Digital Capability Tool

If you would like a copy of the IDG Pulse survey or have a question about your connection, please email Deborah Mead deborahmead@nbnco.com.au or call Deb on 0439 438 334.

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Grants and funding can play a key role in helping businesses grow, start-up or target new service offerings. Each month, we bring you a snippet of some of the grants available that you might find of interest. If you are thinking of applying for a grant and don’t know where to start, contact the team at Regional Business HQ, who are happy to help.

Government grants

There are a large number of grants programs opening and closing all the time. It is hard to keep track, which is why we have included a few of the relevant ones here for you. If these aren’t of interest, two good places to keep an eye on are the upcoming grant schedule on the Business Queensland website and the Queensland Government grant finder

Back to Work Initiative – Employee Support Payment

The Back to Work program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment. Support payments are available to eligible employers who hire a previously unemployed Queenslander who has experienced a minimum period of unemployment directly prior to commencing work with them.

The program is available throughout regional Queensland and in some areas of South East Queensland (SEQ).

Employers can make an online application through QGrants after the eligible employee completes four weeks of continuous paid employment. Initial applications must be received within eight weeks of the employee completing four weeks of continuous employment.

For more information, visit: Back to Work Initiative – Employer Support Payment

Export Market Development Grant

Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) is designed to bring benefits to Australia by encouraging the creation, development and expansion of foreign markets for Australian products.

 Eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are able to apply for grants up to $770,000 per applicant over 8 financial years for promotional activities to market eligible products in foreign countries, or training activities to develop skills in such marketing.

 This grant opportunity opens at 9:00am on 16 August 2021 and closes at 5:00pm on 30 November 2021.

 For more information on eligibility, visit: Export Market Development Grant

Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program

The Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program supports the recovery efforts of communities in eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected by the 2019–20 bushfires. The program will support a range of projects in eligible LGAs affected by the 2019-20 bushfires to address community recovery and resilience needs.

Eligible Local Government Areas:

• Bundaberg
• Fraser Coast
• Gympie & Noosa
• North & South Burnett
• Sunshine Coast

The program opens for applications on 22 July and closes on 2 September.

For a full overview on the Black Summer Grants Program, including guidelines, eligibility criteria, and project deadlines, visit: Business Queensland – Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program

Funding for 2022 Queensland Day events

Funding for next year’s Queensland Day events

As Queenslanders continue to celebrate Queensland Day events in 2021, community groups throughout Queensland can already start planning for next year with the launch of the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has invited applications for funding of up to $15,000 for events and initiatives dedicated to celebrating Queensland’s birthday on 6 June.

“Having marked Queensland Day with a diverse range of COVID-safe events across the state, organisations can again lodge sponsorship applications,” the Premier said.

“For non-profit organisations, residents’ groups, Parents and Citizens’ Associations, Local Government Authorities or any other community group, now is the time to start thinking about 2022 Queensland Day events and applying for funding.

 ”Applications for up to $15,000 for Queensland Day events held 4-12 June 2022 can be made through the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program. “

 Events or initiatives may include hosting a family fun day, a community festival, markets or an art display, to showcase our great state and support Queenslanders to gather safely to mark the day in 1859 that Queensland became separate.

 For more information on the Queensland Day Sponsorship Program, download the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program guidelines on the Queensland Government website, or phone 07 3003 9200.

 Applications for the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program close 5pm Tuesday 31 August 2021.

Incentives for Employers – Australian Apprenticeships

As an employer of an Australian Apprentice you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government to help with hiring and training an apprentice.

Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the date of commencement, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. There is no cap on the number of eligible trainees/ apprentices.

For more information, visit: Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages paid until 31 March 2021. In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium-sized businesses may be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.

For more information, visit: Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment

Eligible employers of Australian Apprentices will also receive $2,000 at the 12 month point from the commencement of the apprenticeship and an additional $2,000 at completion of the apprenticeship. 

For more information, visit: Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment

Support for Adult Australian Apprentices

An employer of an adult Australian Apprentice may be eligible to attract the SAAA payment where the Australian Apprentice is:

• undertaking a full-time or part-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List at the date of commencement or recommencement; and
• in receipt of an ‘actual wage’ paid by the employer at the date of commencement or recommencement which is equal to or greater than the National Minimum Wage

For more information, visit: Support for Adult Australian Apprentices

Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability

Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) is an incentive payable to an employer who employs an Australian Apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria. DAAWS is also available to employers who employ Australian Apprentices who become disabled during their apprenticeship.

For more information, visit: Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability

Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy

The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial aims to support apprenticeships in skills need occupations in rural and regional areas and encourage participation in apprenticeships by employers who have not previously engaged apprentices, as well as re-engaging employers who may have disengaged from the system. Employers who employ a new worker Australian Apprentice undertaking a full-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List in a rural and regional workplace. 

For more information, visit: Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy

For more information on Employer Incentives, visit: Australian Apprenticeship Employer Incentives

Upcoming Events

USC Business Planning Course

Gympie| 19 August – 23 September | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Register

Fraser Coast | 20 August – 24 September | 9:00am – 11:00am | Register

Tiaro | 20 August – 24 September | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Register

Join us in August and September for our Business Planning Course and grow your small business.

 This short course is being delivered in collaboration with the Fraser Coast Regional Council, Tiaro & District Chamber of Commerce, RDA Wide Bay Burnett and Regional Business HQ.

 If you are a small business owner based in the Fraser Coast, Gympie or Tiaro & District regions, this free business development course is your opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge to strengthen and future-proof your business.

 In six weeks, you will develop a customised business plan with the option of pitching your plan to a panel of experts. Business owners can develop a long-term plan, and may also gain credit towards a USC Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

 For more information or to register, visit: USC Business Planning Course

How to Read your Financial Reports

Workshop | 18 August | 9:30am – 12:30pm | Regional Business HQ, Stewart Room | Register

Join Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Vicki Leeson along with Kay Knight, Principal Owner from Admin Pro Solutions, in a workshop learning how to read your financial report. This is a really comprehensive workshop, it not only explains how to read the reports, but why it is important to have a deep understanding of the business reports, and how they can help with the success with business planning in the future. The workshop will detail content on topics including:

• Profit and Loss statement
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow
• Budget
• Planning

Each topic will include exercises to complete during the workshop, as well as tasks to do afterwards.

There are limited spots available, register to secure your spot: How to Read your Financial Reports Workshop

Taking Care of Business (Mundubbera)

Workshop | 25 August | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Mundubbera Town Shire Hall | Register

Got a story to tell about yourself, your business, or your community but not sure where to begin?

Join Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Vicki Leeson, CEO of BIEDO, Prue Leng, former ABC reporter and producer, Pete Lewis, and award-winning photographer, John Elliott, in this interactive storytelling and social media workshop.

In this workshop, presenters will run through the basics of creating interesting stories and standout photos & videos, including how to publish and broadcast them from your smart phone or tablet on your website or social media platforms.

The three-hour interactive session is aimed at being both informative and entertaining. Come along with a good yarn, and see where it can go!

Please make sure to bring along your phone or your camera.

A light morning tea will be provided. Please detail if there are any allergy requirements in the additional comments when submitting an RSVP. 

Bundaberg Job Fair

The Bundaberg Jobs Fair is on again, where job seekers, employers and employment service providers can network and discuss the jobs on offer in and around the Bundaberg region.

What to expect?

The fair will allow you to chat with employers, discuss current job opportunities and career options from a wide range of industries in and around the Bundaberg region. There will be a number of workshops you can attend on the day to help you get job ready and secure your next role.

You can also book a free one-on-one session on the day to have your résumé reviewed or have some interview practice with an experienced consultant.

Date: Thursday, 16 September 2021

Session one: 9.30 am to 12.00 pm

Session two: 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm

Location: Bundaberg Multiplex Sport and Convention Centre, 1 Civic Avenue, Bundaberg QLD 4670

Register: Registration is free, but essential. Click on the link below to register for one of two sessions.

Vacancies at Regional Business HQ

Regional Business HQ has office suites available for people who want to launch or grow their business. As a business incubator, we offer a home for people who are looking to expand out of the home-based business, looking to start-up a new business or are growing and need an office Suite. We offer tenants favorable lease arrangements, including a one month notice period. 

Would you like to register to receive our upcoming newsletters? Click below!

In this newsletter:
• Membership of Regional Business HQ is now open
• Learn to sell how your customer buys using Tick Personality Profiling
• What’s on at The Generator
• Small Business Information Network
• BusinessBalance
• Business LEAP client testimonial
• Grants and Funding Opportunities
• Upcoming Events

Membership is now open
Membership to Regional Business HQ is now open! As an introductory offer, we are giving businesses a 25% discount if you sign up prior to the end of September using the code launch25.

Membership benefits include:
• a profile on our members directory on the website
• quarterly profile of members on our social media channels
• free attendance for 2 staff members at members networking events, launching at one event every two months
• one yearly profile feature in our newsletter (up to 250 words)
• participation in a future podcast series
• promotion of member specials on Regional Business HQ social media
• 10% discount on any Regional Business HQ offering (excluding tenancies)
You can join on our website – https://www.businesshq.org.au/product/rbhq-associate-membership/
Save the date – Members networking function
The first members networking function is planned for Thursday 26 August. All members will be invited after details of the event have been confirmed.

Learn to sell how your customer buys with TICK profiling

Regional Business HQ is excited to partner with Tick Profiling Tools to offer TICK personality profiles and workshops!

What is TICK?
The TICK system is designed with the ordinary person in mind. While TICK is similar to other models on the market, where it differs is in its simplicity and practicality.
Many people find other models to be hard to understand and remember. Within a few days, the complex acronyms and 16 profiles are often largely forgotten. Therefore, other personality tests can have limited long-term effect on team behaviour or understanding.

Tick’s profiling tools are the simpler and more effective alternative:
1. Tick personality profiles are based on a combination of four birds (eagle, peacock, owl, dove)
2. The bird profiles offer instant understanding and don’t require very much explanation
3. Team members will easily remember the bird profiles of their entire team
4. The insights are so clear and intuitive that the team’s behaviour changes almost automatically

For more information on TICK Personality profiles, visit: RBHQ TICK Personailty Profiles
Tuesday, 31 August 2021 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | Regional Business HQ – Neville Room

Join Regional Business HQ Executive Manager Brooke Fossey in a 2 hour workshop on how to sell how your customer buys using TICK personality profiles.

To RSVP for the FREE TICK personality workshop or to purchase a TICK personality profile (and RSVP to event), visit: RBHQ TICK Personality Profile Workshop

What’s on at The Generator

Regional Business HQ is proud to power the Generator, Wide Bay Burnett’s premiere innovation hub and coworking space.
Every week, the Generator hosts a number of events including startup coffees, lunch and learns and open coworking days. If you want to find out more about what the Generator has on offer, head over to the website – www.thegenerator.org.au

It’s not too late to join the Generator Founders Course

The Generator has partnered with Startup Onramp and Split Spaces to deliver the Founders course.
If you have been sitting on an idea for some time or have a startup that needs a bit of a boost, we highly recommend you join our 2021 Generator Founders Program. The Founders Course is a practical, video-based online course to show you how to start a startup and maximise its chances of success. For startup founders with global ambitions, and anyone with an idea for a startup.

Inclusions:
• Access to the Startup Onramp online Founders Course – Startup Onramp Founders Course website
• 7 weeks online course with weekly group sessions for the duration of the program, hosted at The Generator in Bundaberg or online, joining in with the Mackay cohort for greater networking.
• Access to The Generator coworking and innovation hub for the duration of the Program.
• Graduation and Pitch event – at The Generator in Bundaberg with streaming of the Split Spaces pitches.

Applications are NOW OPEN for The Generator Founders Course, visit: The Generator Founders Course

Hinkler Innovation Awards 2021: Nominations now open!

Regional Business HQ, through the Generator is proud to once again bring you the Hinkler Innovation Awards in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council.
The Hinkler Innovation Awards celebrate an individual making a local, national, and/or global contribution to innovation. The award exists to inspire the same pioneering spirit of Bundaberg-born innovator and adventurer Bert Hinkler.

Birthed, developed, established in 2018 as the brainchild of Morgahna Godwin from Benson Press, the Hinkler Innovation Award is an ode to Bert Hinkler in the beginning stages of his aviation exploration. It is important that the local entrepreneur community, through The Generator, delivers this award to, activate, unite, encourage and foster an innovative and collaborative local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Read up on previous Hinkler Innovation Award winners:
• 2020 winner: Jamie Olsen
• 2019 winners: Greensill Family
• 2018 winner: Eleanor Carey

The Hinkler Innovation Awards are open to all Australian Residents.

Small Business Information Network
On 1 July 2021, the value of goods covered by the definition of ‘consumer’ under the Australian Consumer Law increased from $40,000 to $100,000. This means that the consumer guarantees will apply to more transactions, including when businesses sell to other business.

What is covered

Businesses must guarantee products and services they sell, hire or lease that are:
• under $100,000
• over $100,000 if they are normally bought for personal or household use
• business vehicles and trailers, provided they are used mainly to transport goods.

There are some exceptions. For example, products purchased to be resold, or to be transformed into a product that is sold, are not covered.

What are consumer guarantees?
Businesses must provide these automatic guarantees regardless of any other warranties. If a product or service fails to meet a consumer guarantee, the consumer has the right to a remedy.
A ‘major failure’ is when a reasonable consumer wouldn’t have bought the product or service if they had known about the nature and extent of the failure. In these cases, the consumer can choose to have a product repaired, replaced or refunded.

For a service, they can:
• end the contract and seek a refund
• keep the contract and be compensated for any drop in value.

For other kinds of failure, the business can choose the remedy, but it must do so within a reasonable time. Possible remedies include:
• repairing the faulty good
• replacing it with an identical good
• refunding the consumer
• repairing any defect in the service provided.
Find out more about consumer guarantees and other rules businesses need to follow when treating customers fairly.

BusinessBalance
Supporting Small Business Mental Health and wellbeing
Small Businesses are significant contributors to the Australian Economy – yet they suffer more from symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general population and are under increased financial and emotional pressure as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic. To address this, the Australian Government’s BusinessBalance initiative is providing $7 Million in 2020-21 to support small businesses. This Includes:
• $4.3 million to provide free, accessible and tailored support for small business owners by expanding Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program in partnership with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and
• $2.2 Million to expand a free accredited professional development program that builds the mental health literacy of trusted business advisers so that they can better support small business owners in times of distress, delivered through Deakin University BusinessBalance will help small business owners take proactive steps to improve their mental health.

NewAccess For Small Business Owners
The Australian Government is providing funding to expand Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program to deliver tailored, free and confidential mental health support to small business owners.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is designed to support small business owners manage life stress by providing up to six structured sessions with a trained mental health coach who has a background in small business. No doctor’s referral or mental health treatment plan is required. The program is available nationally and can be accessed via phone or video call.

Counting On U
The Australian Government is providing funding to Deakin University to deliver Counting on U – a professional development program for small business advisers. Counting on U is run in partnership with Institute of Public Accountants, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Beyond Blue, WorkSafe VIC, and Mental Health First Aid integrates mental health first aid training with relationship – centred, business mentoring that will empower small business advisers to better support the mental wellbeing of their small business clients.

Business LEAP

Business LEAP provides practical assistance and support to help you develop business plans and gather information about what is required to start or grow a small business. Business LEAP can help understand aspects of business operation, including legal requirements, licenses, permits and registrations, marketing, financial management, taxation requirements and more. They can also provide referrals to services to help you start and run your own business, and provide tailored mentoring.
Business LEAP Client Testimonial

Hear from Business LEAP client and Principal Owner of Admin Pro Solutions, Kay Knight, about how the Business LEAP team were able to help guide her when starting her own business.

If you are looking to book a session with an Entrepreneurship Facilitator or looking for more information on Business LEAP’s Entrepreneurship Services, check out www.businessleap.org.au, phone 1300 249 482 or email a facilitator on:

• vleeson@businessleap.org.au
• lwilbraham@businessleap.org.au
• jvirtue@businessleap.org.au

Our Partners

Sometimes you come across a hidden gem, and you just can’t stop shouting their praises…

At Regional Business HQ, we are always on the look out for products and services that really help small businesses cut through red tape and remove administrative burden to free up valuable time for people already stretched thin.

Two of the products we are happy to partner with are the Australian Employee Manual and Driversnote. The Australian Employee Manual provides you with a ready to go product that is up to date with all current legislation. Driversnote is an app that makes FBT reporting a breeze! It is simple and easy to use and is available on desktops as well as Android and Apple phones.

A new financial year brings new laws and tax requirements. This year, there have been staggered minimum wage increases as well as increases to super. Trying to keep track of all the changes in legislation can seem impossible. This is where the Australian Employee Manual comes in.

Australian Employee Manual believes in making managing your team easy. When you are in a small business or a not for profit, you may not have a human resources professional on your team or can’t afford to hire a consultant. That’s where Australian Employee Manual can help. Since 2007 Australian Employee Manual has easy to apply employee templates, processes and forms that have been helping small business owners get back to growing their business or delivering a service, rather than spending weeks bogged down writing policies.

These everyday events can trip up the most experienced managers – and derail your whole employee review process unless you know what to do.  Australian Employee Manual, Employee Performance Reviews: Tips Templates & Tactics can help you create a positive employee performance review that create effective and lasting performance improvements.

Are you fed up with trying to manage which work trips are for which client? Then maybe the Driversnote app is something to look at?

Driversnote‘s logbook app is always at hand to record your trips and calculate your reimbursement. Save addresses you visit frequently, add notes and set each trips purpose for a complete mileage log. Driversnote will keep your car logbook ready for download as a PDF or spreadsheet in line with ATO requirements.  The best bit is that it is free for 20 trips per month! If, like us, after trying out the free version you think that the app is worth it to save the headache of manually counting logbook trips, head over to our affiliate page and purchase your subscription.

Driversnote also has an ATO Mileage guide, where you’ll find a collection of articles that will help you navigate the rules of reimbursing employees for their car expenses or deducting expenses as an employee or self-employed individual. Knowing the rules and requirements for mileage logs, and the like, is important, as it could mean the difference between being reimbursed or not.

Our Sponsors

NBN Digital Capability Tool

Do you know your Digital Capability?  Do you want to improve your Digital Capability?

 The new nbn™ Digital Capability Self-Assessment Tool takes just 5 mins for an individual to get an assessment. Whilst there will be many who will be comfortable with their result, there will be others who will want to grasp the opportunity to grow and become more digitally enabled. At the end of the questionnaire the individual will quickly be able to visualise where they fit on a rating scale guide that includes these types: 

• Cautious Adopter – Typically someone at an early stage in developing their digital capabilities and only uses technology for very basic functions, such as sending a text message
• Digitally Responsive – Someone who might only engage with technology in response to a specific need or only when there are limited to no other options.  
• Pragmatist – Someone who is still developing their digital skills however they are capable of figuring things out as they are required.
• Problem solver – Someone who has enough knowledge of most digital capabilities to get by in everyday situations involving technology and is growing in confidence.
• Learner – Someone who is digitally inquisitive is skilled in some digital capabilities but often developing in select areas, and therefore is always eager to learn more.  
• Lifestyler – Someone to whom technology is seamlessly integral to everyday living.
• Visionary – Someone who is advanced across most digital capabilities, however, may still have more to learn in a certain area. 
• Digital leader – Someone who is highly skilled in all things digital and is constantly imagining new and inspiring ways to enhance daily tasks using technology.

NBN Digital Capability Tool

If you would like a copy of the IDG Pulse survey or have a question about your connection, please email Deborah Mead deborahmead@nbnco.com.au or call Deb on 0439 438 334.

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Grants and funding can play a key role in helping businesses grow, start-up or target new service offerings. Each month, we bring you a snippet of some of the grants available that you might find of interest. If you are thinking of applying for a grant and don’t know where to start, contact the team at Regional Business HQ, who are happy to help.

Government grants

There are a large number of grants programs opening and closing all the time. It is hard to keep track, which is why we have included a few of the relevant ones here for you. If these aren’t of interest, two good places to keep an eye on are the upcoming grant schedule on the Business Queensland website and the Queensland Government grant finder

Back to Work Initiative – Employee Support Payment

The Back to Work program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment. Support payments are available to eligible employers who hire a previously unemployed Queenslander who has experienced a minimum period of unemployment directly prior to commencing work with them.

The program is available throughout regional Queensland and in some areas of South East Queensland (SEQ).

Employers can make an online application through QGrants after the eligible employee completes four weeks of continuous paid employment. Initial applications must be received within eight weeks of the employee completing four weeks of continuous employment.

For more information, visit: Back to Work Initiative – Employer Support Payment

Export Market Development Grant

Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) is designed to bring benefits to Australia by encouraging the creation, development and expansion of foreign markets for Australian products.

 Eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are able to apply for grants up to $770,000 per applicant over 8 financial years for promotional activities to market eligible products in foreign countries, or training activities to develop skills in such marketing.

 This grant opportunity opens at 9:00am on 16 August 2021 and closes at 5:00pm on 30 November 2021.

 For more information on eligibility, visit: Export Market Development Grant

Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program

The Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program supports the recovery efforts of communities in eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected by the 2019–20 bushfires. The program will support a range of projects in eligible LGAs affected by the 2019-20 bushfires to address community recovery and resilience needs.

Eligible Local Government Areas:

• Bundaberg
• Fraser Coast
• Gympie & Noosa
• North & South Burnett
• Sunshine Coast

The program opens for applications on 22 July and closes on 2 September.

For a full overview on the Black Summer Grants Program, including guidelines, eligibility criteria, and project deadlines, visit: Business Queensland – Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program

Funding for 2022 Queensland Day events

Funding for next year’s Queensland Day events

As Queenslanders continue to celebrate Queensland Day events in 2021, community groups throughout Queensland can already start planning for next year with the launch of the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has invited applications for funding of up to $15,000 for events and initiatives dedicated to celebrating Queensland’s birthday on 6 June.

“Having marked Queensland Day with a diverse range of COVID-safe events across the state, organisations can again lodge sponsorship applications,” the Premier said.

“For non-profit organisations, residents’ groups, Parents and Citizens’ Associations, Local Government Authorities or any other community group, now is the time to start thinking about 2022 Queensland Day events and applying for funding.

 ”Applications for up to $15,000 for Queensland Day events held 4-12 June 2022 can be made through the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program. “

 Events or initiatives may include hosting a family fun day, a community festival, markets or an art display, to showcase our great state and support Queenslanders to gather safely to mark the day in 1859 that Queensland became separate.

 For more information on the Queensland Day Sponsorship Program, download the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program guidelines on the Queensland Government website, or phone 07 3003 9200.

 Applications for the 2022 Queensland Day Sponsorship Program close 5pm Tuesday 31 August 2021.

Incentives for Employers – Australian Apprenticeships

As an employer of an Australian Apprentice you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government to help with hiring and training an apprentice.

Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the date of commencement, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. There is no cap on the number of eligible trainees/ apprentices.

For more information, visit: Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages paid until 31 March 2021. In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium-sized businesses may be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.

For more information, visit: Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment

Eligible employers of Australian Apprentices will also receive $2,000 at the 12 month point from the commencement of the apprenticeship and an additional $2,000 at completion of the apprenticeship. 

For more information, visit: Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment

Support for Adult Australian Apprentices

An employer of an adult Australian Apprentice may be eligible to attract the SAAA payment where the Australian Apprentice is:

• undertaking a full-time or part-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List at the date of commencement or recommencement; and
• in receipt of an ‘actual wage’ paid by the employer at the date of commencement or recommencement which is equal to or greater than the National Minimum Wage

For more information, visit: Support for Adult Australian Apprentices

Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability

Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) is an incentive payable to an employer who employs an Australian Apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria. DAAWS is also available to employers who employ Australian Apprentices who become disabled during their apprenticeship.

For more information, visit: Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability

Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy

The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial aims to support apprenticeships in skills need occupations in rural and regional areas and encourage participation in apprenticeships by employers who have not previously engaged apprentices, as well as re-engaging employers who may have disengaged from the system. Employers who employ a new worker Australian Apprentice undertaking a full-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List in a rural and regional workplace. 

For more information, visit: Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy

For more information on Employer Incentives, visit: Australian Apprenticeship Employer Incentives

Upcoming Events

USC Business Planning Course

Gympie| 19 August – 23 September | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Register

Fraser Coast | 20 August – 24 September | 9:00am – 11:00am | Register

Tiaro | 20 August – 24 September | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Register

Join us in August and September for our Business Planning Course and grow your small business.

 This short course is being delivered in collaboration with the Fraser Coast Regional Council, Tiaro & District Chamber of Commerce, RDA Wide Bay Burnett and Regional Business HQ.

 If you are a small business owner based in the Fraser Coast, Gympie or Tiaro & District regions, this free business development course is your opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge to strengthen and future-proof your business.

 In six weeks, you will develop a customised business plan with the option of pitching your plan to a panel of experts. Business owners can develop a long-term plan, and may also gain credit towards a USC Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

 For more information or to register, visit: USC Business Planning Course

How to Read your Financial Reports

Workshop | 18 August | 9:30am – 12:30pm | Regional Business HQ, Stewart Room | Register

Join Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Vicki Leeson along with Kay Knight, Principal Owner from Admin Pro Solutions, in a workshop learning how to read your financial report. This is a really comprehensive workshop, it not only explains how to read the reports, but why it is important to have a deep understanding of the business reports, and how they can help with the success with business planning in the future. The workshop will detail content on topics including:

• Profit and Loss statement
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow
• Budget
• Planning

Each topic will include exercises to complete during the workshop, as well as tasks to do afterwards.

There are limited spots available, register to secure your spot: How to Read your Financial Reports Workshop

Taking Care of Business (Mundubbera)

Workshop | 25 August | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Mundubbera Town Shire Hall | Register

Got a story to tell about yourself, your business, or your community but not sure where to begin?

Join Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Vicki Leeson, CEO of BIEDO, Prue Leng, former ABC reporter and producer, Pete Lewis, and award-winning photographer, John Elliott, in this interactive storytelling and social media workshop.

In this workshop, presenters will run through the basics of creating interesting stories and standout photos & videos, including how to publish and broadcast them from your smart phone or tablet on your website or social media platforms.

The three-hour interactive session is aimed at being both informative and entertaining. Come along with a good yarn, and see where it can go!

Please make sure to bring along your phone or your camera.

A light morning tea will be provided. Please detail if there are any allergy requirements in the additional comments when submitting an RSVP. 

Bundaberg Job Fair

The Bundaberg Jobs Fair is on again, where job seekers, employers and employment service providers can network and discuss the jobs on offer in and around the Bundaberg region.

What to expect?

The fair will allow you to chat with employers, discuss current job opportunities and career options from a wide range of industries in and around the Bundaberg region. There will be a number of workshops you can attend on the day to help you get job ready and secure your next role.

You can also book a free one-on-one session on the day to have your résumé reviewed or have some interview practice with an experienced consultant.

Date: Thursday, 16 September 2021

Session one: 9.30 am to 12.00 pm

Session two: 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm

Location: Bundaberg Multiplex Sport and Convention Centre, 1 Civic Avenue, Bundaberg QLD 4670

Register: Registration is free, but essential. Click on the link below to register for one of two sessions.

Vacancies at Regional Business HQ

Regional Business HQ has office suites available for people who want to launch or grow their business. As a business incubator, we offer a home for people who are looking to expand out of the home-based business, looking to start-up a new business or are growing and need an office Suite. We offer tenants favorable lease arrangements, including a one month notice period. 

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