The Small Business Specialist Advice Pathways Program offers grants for small businesses to access financial and legal advice and services to inform current and future business decisions.
The program supports businesses that have faced disruptive change, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, by improving their capability and preparedness to plan for their future or adapt their business model.
This program is for employing small businesses that are established and have been operating since at least 1 July 2020.
To be eligible for a grant under the Small Business Specialist Advice Pathways Program, a business must meet the following requirements:
- Be a legally structured business registered in Victoria with an Australian business number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 1 July 2020
- Be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
- Employ one to 19 full-time equivalent staff
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and agree to the conditions outlined in the program guidelines to be successful under the program.
Grant funding of $2,000 per ABN is available for eligible expenses on relevant professional advice and services under the program, where the minimum expenditure cost is $2,000 (excluding GST).
Applicants will receive an upfront payment of $1,000 to engage with their preferred qualified service provider and will receive the final grant instalment of $1,000 on the satisfactory conclusion of the service activity. Approved businesses will be asked to complete a claim form to confirm that the project has concluded and provide a statutory declaration stating that the activity has been completed and the qualified service pProvider has been paid.
Businesses will be required to respond to a short survey six months after they submit their application.
The program is now open for applications until 4:00pm on Friday, 30 September 2022 or when funds are exhausted, whichever is earlier.
