This area of the site is intended to provide a brief overview of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research's role in assisting the small business sector, as well as a range of small business information.
In short, the Department is a focal point for the development and consideration of small business policy issues within Government. It is responsible for promoting and maintaining links across the Australian Government departments and agencies responsible for implementing elements of the Government's small business policies.
Among the Department's key objectives in relation to small business are to:
- provide policy advice and support to portfolio Ministers on small business issues
- ensure effective delivery of small business programs for which it has policy responsibility
- build and maintain effective links with small businesses and their representative organisations and
- foster an understanding of the critical factors influencing the start up and growth of small firms and the small business sector generally.
Further information relating to small business is also available from the Programs and Services link under 'Shortcuts' in the menu to the left, and the Consultative forums for Small Business link below. In addition, please explore the links located to the right of this page. A good place to start is the business.gov.au website.
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Small Business Support Line
In response to the global recession, the Small Business Support Line was established in September 2009 to complement existing services to small businesses. It provides an initial 'single' point of contact to access information, assistance and referral services for small businesses. For more details (including contact information), please see our Small Business Support Line page.
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General information
Independent Contractors
This page provides information for independent contractors and the businesses that engage their services.
Guidelines
Help for Small Business on Legal Issues
The Legal Issues Guide for Small Business provides information about legal issues affecting small business, sources of assistance, and preventative measures.
Liability Risk Assessment Guide
The Liability Risk Assessment Guide for FMA Act Agencies encourages procurement officers to eliminate the use of any onerous tender and contractual requirements that seek to unnecessarily shift risk to business. Suppliers (particularly small business suppliers) can also benefit from gaining an understanding of its existence and contents when negotiating procurement contracts with FMA Act agencies.
Information products
Dispute Resolution - Case studies
Case studies covering a variety of common disputes faced by small business.
Look before you lease: Avoiding the pitfalls in retail leasing
This booklet gives warnings and checklists to help people decide how and when to ask for expert help when signing a new lease for a business location.
Small Business Legal Issues Guide
Legal Issues Guide for Small Business assists managers and their advisers determine key legal problems, the range of options, and sources of information and assistance.
Successful Dispute Resolution - Introduction
This kit, entitled Resolving Small Business Disputes: Six Steps to Successful Dispute Resolution, aims to help small business in resolving disputes.
Working with Contracts - practical assistance to small business managers
A guide for small business on working with contracts.
Policies
Australian Business Number (ABN) Business Names Registration Project
The Australian Government is providing $125.2 million over four years from 2010-11 for the Australian Business Number (ABN) Business Names Registration Project.
Franchising Code of Conduct
Background information and links to the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct
This page contains the Code of Conduct for the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry that commenced on 1 September 2006.
Retail Tenancy
On 27 August 2008, the Commonwealth Government responded to the Productivity Commission Inquiry: The Market for Retail Tenancy Leases in Australia.