Business and Social Enterprise Support Agencies
Business & Social Enterprise Support Agencies may assist with business development, incubating ideas into action, mentoring, training, and a range of other activities for social enterprise practitioners with or without prior business experience. A range of agencies are segmented here, starting nationally, and then broken down into states and territories.
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Social Business Australia provides advice, mentoring, training and support for member owned businesses that trade for social purpose www.socialbusiness.coop
Business Enterprise Centres Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) are a great first point of contact for small business operators seeking information, advice and guidance. BECs are located in every state and territory in Australia, and local contacts may be found on their website.
http://www.beca.org.au/
Government & Business Associations Directory Contains details for federal, state, territory and local governments and for business associations as well. Users may search either by the name of an organisation or by key words.
http://www.business.gov.au/Business+Entry+Point/GB+Directory/?SearchType=alpha&AlphaIndex=B
School for Social Entrepreneurs Learning and skills development for social entrepreneurs.
www.sse.org.au
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Social Enterprise Hub Networking, training, mentoring, and support. An initiative of Social Ventures Australia.
http://www.socialenterprisehubs.org/node/add/24
Capital Region Business Enterprise Centre (ACT/NSW) Assists the start-up and growth of small businesses. Provides business advice, information and other services.
http://www.crbec.com.au/
Indigenous Business Chamber of Australia A peak body providing a business chamber for indigenous business people whilst supporting opportunities to create business relationships. Ensures legislation or proposed policy approaches address the needs of indigenous businesses.
http://www.indigenous.org.au/
New South Wales
Australian Employee Buyout Centre (AEBC) Provides consultation and education to assist in the transfer of ownership and equity to employees. http://www.aebc.org.au/
Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Promotes and serves the interest of Indigenous business, supporting and facilitating Indigenous self reliance and economic prosperity. http://www.indigenouschamber.org.au/
Mercury Centre Consultancy, research, support, information and training.
http://www.mercury.org.au/
NSW Small Business Provides training, tools and information about starting and expanding a business. Their Western Sydney Business Centre offers a range of workshops to assist business owners. http://www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/smallbusiness/
Parramatta Social Enterprise Hub Networking, training, mentoring and support. A partnership between Social Ventures Australia and the Parramatta City Council.
http://www.socialenterprisehubs.org/node/23
Refugee Enterprise Facilitation Project Promotes local economic growth in Western and South Western Sydney by providing free and confidential support to local entrepreneurs with refugee and refugee-like backgrounds wishing to start or expand existing small business.
http://www.startts.org.au/default.aspx?id=434
Northern Territory
Deset Hub (Central Australia/Northern Territory) An initiative of the Desert Peoples Centre, the hub provides support for social enterprise in desert Australia.
www.deserthub.org
Business Enterprise Centre, Darwin Region Inc. Offers free support and advice to those who want to start, expand or buy a business.
http://www.becnt.com.au/
Northern Territory Government Business Department Offers a free and confidential business information service to new and existing businesses.
http://www.nt.gov.au/business/
Queensland
Brisbane, Logan, and Ipswich Social Enterprise Hubs Networking, training, mentoring and support. A partnership between local councils and Social Ventures Australia.
http://www.socialenterprisehubs.org/localhubs/brisbane
Business Development Queensland Provides information, resources and tools to help launch or grow a business.
http://www.business.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v4/apps/web/content.cfm?id=3181 - http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v4/apps/web/content.cfm?id=9378
Foresters Community Finance Offers finance and lending to community organisations as well as socially-screened investment products for the ethical investor.
http://www.foresters.org.au/
South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Connects Indigenous and Non-Indigenous businesses to promote, support, and guide Indigenous business success in the Australian community. www.seqicc.com.au
South Australia
Southern Success Business Enterprise Centre Provides free or low cost confidential business advice and referrals; mentoring, networking and business development; assistance with the preparation of business plans; workshops; and access to business literature, resources and other information. http://www.ssbec.com.au/
Tasmania
Business Development Tasmania The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts is dedicated to assisting small business growth in Tasmania by providing valuable resources from the Department and other organisations to facilitate business expansion.
http://www.development.tas.gov.au/business/
Business Point Information and Referral Service A free and confidential referral and information service to start up or grow Tasmanian businesses.
http://www.development.tas.gov.au/business/business_point
Victoria
Brotherhood of St Laurence Operates several enterprises, and houses the Community Enterprise Development Initiative working with disadvantaged communities to develop community enterprises. http://www.bsl.org.au/main.asp?PageId=7&iMainMenuPageId=7
Business Victoria Offers small to medium size Victorian businesses with training, information and funding opportunities to launch, grow, or operate effectively.
http://www.business.vic.gov.au/homepage
Cooperatives Victoria Advocacy, education and information specifically for cooperatives.
http://www.australia.coop/victoria/
Koori Business Network Provides support, advice, training, and funding to help Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs plan and manage growth in their business.
http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC/LANDING/PC_61127.html
Social Firms Australia Provides support, information, to promote the development of social firms in Australia.
http://www.socialfirms.org.au/
Social Traders Advocacy, support, training, events and other resources.
http://www.socialtraders.com.au
Western Australia
Small Business Development Corporation's Small Business Centres Offers free assistance and support to businesses through free practical business assistance; referral to specialist advisers; help navigating government departments and regulations; workshops; and other information.
http://www.sbdc.com.au/drilldown/drilldown.asp?refid=5
