Welcome to the August issue of our business newsletter where you can find exciting news about upcoming events, grants and other valuable resources for your small business!

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Tourism North East events: Tourism North East Industry Forum on the 6th of August and Industry Networking and Visitor App Update on the 12th of August.

Review your eligibility for grant opportunities and programs including Australian Rural Leadership Foundation - International Agribusiness Leadership Program, Small Business Energy Incentive and Victorian Aboriginal Business Investment Program. Find these grants and more using the Alpine Shire Grant Finder.

Stay up to date with the latest government announcements and news affecting businesses including Backing More First Nations Businesses in Victoria, tips on how to set up your own business email account and changes to workplace laws as part of the Closing Loopholes Act.

Don't forget about the free small business support services currently available via funding from the 2022 Victorian Flood and Landslip including Business Recovery Advisory Service, Partners in Wellbeing and Small Business Bus.

Thank you for being part of the Alpine Shire business community. Stay tuned to Alpine Shire Business Hub for more updates and resources to help your business thrive.

Tourism North East - Industry Forum

Online, Tuesday 6 August 2024 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Join the Tourism North East team and guest speaker Tahnee Sanders from The Strategy Studio to learn about ways to enhance business communications and marketing. For more information and to register, click here

Tourism North East - Industry Networking and Visitor App Update - Bright

Monday 12 August 2024 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Pepperberry Restaurant at Hara House, 2A Ashwood Ave Bright, 3741

Connect with Tourism North East and tourism businesses for a casual drink and industry update. For more information and to register, click here

AgriFutures Australia - Agritech Event Sponsorship Program

This program aims to foster commercialisation opportunities, attract investment and elevate Australian agritech enterprises. Round 3 grants opened 15 July and close 11 August 2024 and are available in three categories:

• For event organisers in regional Australia that are hosting agricultural events with an agritech/innovation focus. Grants between $25,000 and $50,000 are available from a total funding pool of $400,000
• For agritech developers hosting functions to showcase their technology and innovation to end users and/or investors. Four grants of $25,000 each are available from a total funding pool of $100,000
• For research and development organisations wanting to host functions to showcase their technology and innovation to end users and/or investors. Four grants of $25,000 each are available from a total funding pool of $100,000

More information about this program and eligibility criteria can be found here.

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) - International Agribusiness Leadership Program

This program aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of mid to senior-level agribusiness executives and foster collaborative leadership. The ten-day program, plus travel will be delivered face-to-face in and around Sulawesi and Jakarta, Indonesia from October 29 to November 7, 2024. The program includes the following activities:

• Reflective practice and feedback
• Diplomacy, trade and social intelligence
• Adaptive leadership and strategic thinking
• Cultural immersion and understanding

The program costs $17,600 plus a $550 participant contribution. Applications close 1 September 2024. More information about this program can be found here.

Small Business Energy Incentive

This program aims to help small businesses (annual turnover less than $50 million) to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills by providing an additional 20% deduction (up to $20,000 per business) for spending that supports electrification and energy efficiency. Eligible investments include:

• Electrifying heating and cooling systems
• Upgrading to more efficient appliances and equipment (e.g., energy efficient fridges and induction cooktops)
• Installing batteries and heat pumps
• Replacing a diesel engine with an electric motor

More information about this incentive can be found here.

Victorian Aboriginal Business Investment Program

This program provides grants to Aboriginal businesses to access resources to support and grow their business. There are two key programs:

• Aboriginal Business Support Program (grants between $5k and $10k) which aims to support improvement to operations and financial sustainability of the business.
• Aboriginal Business Growth Program (grants between $10k and $100k) to support projects that will help businesses to grow.

More information about this program and eligible activities can be found here

Backing more First Nations Businesses in Victoria - read media release

How to set up your own business email account - read article

National Minimum Wage

From the 1st of July 2024, the National Minimum Wage increased by 3.75 per cent, rising to $24.10 per hour, or $915.90 per week. The increase will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1st July 2024.

Super guarantee rate

From the 1st of July 2024, the superannuation guarantee rate increased from 11 per cent to 11.5 percent.

Changes to the Fair Work Act

There are new workplace laws as part of the Closing Loopholes changes which will take effect at different times from December 2023 to 2025. Stay up to date with the latest news on legislation changes and award changes here. You can also download a copy of the timeline of changes.

From the 26th of August 2024, the following changes will come into effect, including:

• The 'right to disconnect' will come into effect as part of the latest Closing Loopholes changes. The 'right to disconnect' allows eligible employees to reasonably refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact (calls, texts, emails) from their employer or a third party outside of working hours. This change starts on the 26th of August 2024 for non-small business employers and the 26th of August 2025 for small business employers.
• Changes to casual employment laws including how casual work in defines, the pathway to permanent employment and employee and employer responsibilities.

Business Recovery Advisory Service

Business Recovery Advisers provide expert guidance and tailored support to small businesses including:

• Identifying short- and long-term needs to ensure business continuity and resilience

• Creating strategies for business recovery and growth

• Access to other support services including financial counselling and business coaching

Business Recovery Advisory Service is delivered by Business Victoria in partnership with Australian Industry Group (Ai Group). To find out more about the support available, click here.

Alpine Mindset Coaching

Life can sometimes get stressful and overwhelming, making it hard to cope. If you are experiencing any of these challenges:

• Stress and anxiety
• Life changes
• Sleep or concentration issues
• Recovering from natural disasters
• Study or work stress

You can get in touch with Wellways Australia to access 6 free sessions with a Coach by contacting 1300 921 535 or alpinecoaching@wellways.org

Business Victoria Courses & Webinars

Numerous free courses and webinars can be accessed from the Business Victoria website to help you increase your knowledge and skills to run a successful business. You can find out more about what is available here.

Questions? Feedback? We would love to hear from you!

Send an email to economicdevelopment@alpineshire.vic.gov.au