Welcome to the June 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 Industry Forum on Wednesday 12th June 2024.

Alpine Shire Grant Finder, your one-stop-shop for grant opportunities is now live! Review your eligibility for grant opportunities and programs including Alpine Shire Council Kiewa Valley Flood and Landslip Community Grants Program 2024/25.

Stay up to date with the latest government announcements affecting businesses including budget outcomes for businesses.

Don't forget about the free small business support services currently available including Business Recovery Advisory Service and Partners in Wellbeing.

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 2024

Online, Wednesday 12th June 2024 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Join the Tourism North East team who will examine the global travel market, international visitation trends to Victoria, and the latest cultural research to understand how to meet market demands. For more information and to register, visit the link below.

Tourism North East - Industry Forum 2024

Alpine Shire Grant Finder - GrantGuru

GrantGuru is specifically designed to assist local government by offering both staff and our community an easy to use grant searching portal. It has the ability to nominate specific subjects and grant area to receive email updates on as and when new grants are released. You can view it here and start searching for grants: Alpine Shire Grant Finder

Kiewa Valley Flood and Landslip Community Grants Program 2024/25

Alpine Shire Council in conjunction with the Australian and Victorian Governments recognise the significant impacts of the October 2022 Floods and Landslip on individuals, families, businesses and organisations across the community. The Kiewa Valley Flood and Landslip Recovery Grants program provides funding of up to $10,000 (plus GST if applicable) to eligible businesses, community organisations, groups, social enterprises and creative organisations. The program aims to support communities of the Kiewa Valley affected by the October 2022 flood and landslip event to achieve recovery, and plan for a more flood-resilient future. To review the guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit here

2024 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Program

This program aims to attract the next generation of farmers to learn the skills they need to thrive in Victoria's agriculture sector. The program offers scholarships of up to $10,000 with each recipient reimbursed up to $5,000 to support training and study and $5,000 to invest in putting their skills into practice. Applications close at 5:00pm the 17th of June. For more information and to apply, visit here

Industry Growth Program

The program provides an Advisory Service for startups and SMEs undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects within the priority areas of the Australian Government's National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and help build Australia's manufacturing capability for the future. Eligible businesses will be connected with an Industry Growth Program Advisor to provide specialised advice to support commercialisation and growth opportunities. Two grants are available:

• Grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
• Grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects

For more information and to review the eligibility requirements, visit here

Glass half full budget for business

Read media release

Helping Victorian Businesses Cut their Energy Bills

Read media release

Bringing More Events and Jobs to Regional Victoria

Read media release

It's World Password Day - will your password pass the test of time?

Read article

Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee

The Sick Pay Guarantee provides Victorian casual and contract workers in eligible jobs up to 38 hours of sick and carers pay a year, at the national minimum wage. The program is fully funded by the Victorian Government and runs until 13 March 2025. For more information click here: Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee

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, You can also download a copy of the timeline of changes.

Pay equality toolkit

The Pay equality toolkit provides resources to support Victorian small-to-medium enterprises to achieve pay equality in their workplace. For more information, click here: equal pay matters.

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.

Partners in Wellbeing

Partners in Wellbeing provides free access to wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors and business advisors to support small business owners and their employees. To find out more about the support available, click here.

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

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