Business Resources

The Small Business Institute

The Emergency Resource Portal is your one stop destination for managing all types of emergencies that could affect your business on any day at any time.

National Debt Helpline

The National Debt Helpline helps people tackle their debt problems. Their professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent, and confidential service. 

Venture Melton Business Network

This free network links business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals to improve business performance through shared connections, expansion of key business contacts, professional development presentations, workshops and special events. 

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

ACCI is Australia’s largest and most representative business network. ACCI’s work keeps members included in policy discussions and up to date on federal policy issues. 

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia

COSBOA is Australia’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of small businesses including through policy change and regulatory reform.

LeadWest

LeadWest is an advocacy alliance comprising the western metropolitan municipalities with a shared interest to strengthen our local economies, support sustainable population growth, improve transport connectivity and scale up our community services. 

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

VCCI is the largest and most influential business organisation in Victoria assisting thousands of businesses achieve growth through advocacy and consulting services.

Western Melbourne Tourism

WMT is an urban regional tourism board incorporated for the purposes of developing a stronger more competitive tourism sector in Melbourne’s west.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Austrade

From trade and investment processes to protocols and regulation - Austrade helps Australian businesses, big or small, navigate complex overseas markets and make it easier for them to go global. 

Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, to keep Australia safe. 

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Working with other government agencies, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ensures that Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively. 

Global Victoria

Global Victoria provides high level market intelligence, insights and guidance to be competitive in international markets. 

Make sure you’re getting the most from the various streams of government support and funding by checking in at:

Business Victoria’s grants and programs page 
Business grants and programs finder

Grant Guru

The 'City of Melton Grant Finder' is available to all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals.  This site provides a comprehensive list of grants and funding opportunities available to you.  Register on the Grant Guru website to receive emailed alerts for new grants, save your favourites and access tips to help you apply for grants.

MENTORING

Small Business Mentoring Service

The Small Business Mentoring Service has a range of business mentors with a wide diversity of background, skills and industry experience offering business advice to help you achieve your business goals.

STAFF & WORKPLACE SAFETY

Business Victoria - Staff & Human Resources

Learn about the different hiring options and employment types and decide on the best type of worker for your business's needs.

FairWork Ombudsman

The FairWork Ombudsman provides education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers and employees. The FairWork Ombudsman also monitors, inquires into, investigates and enforces compliance with Australia’s workplace laws. On the website you will find pay calculators, awards and employment conditions.

WorkSafe Victoria

WorkSafe is Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator and strives to prevent workplace injuries, illness and fatalities through education, support, and guidance with Victorian workplaces.

Respect@Work

The Respect@Work platform helps individuals and organisations prevent and respond to workplace sexual harassment. On the website you will find information, videos, advice, good practice guides, education and workplace-assessment tools.

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations supports individuals to access quality skills, training and employment to find secure work in a fair, productive and safe workplace. On this website you will find support for hiring staff and financial incentives for employers.

Australian Taxation Office

The ATO effectively manage and shape the tax and superannuation systems that support and fund services for Australians. 

Business Victoria

Find grants and programs to support your business.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Australian Chamber is Australia’s largest and most representative business network.

Small Business Mentoring Service

Experienced business mentors providing business advice to help you achieve your business goals with a wide diversity of background, skills and industry experience.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest and most influential business organisation in Victoria assisting thousands of businesses achieve growth through advocacy and consulting services.

Melton City Council Business Concierge

This free service mixes online tools and resources, supported by a single point of contact who guides you through the four key stages of the permit application process.

Business Victoria

Access the Business Victoria start a business page to find out more about business planning, registrations and licenses, insurance, and tax deductions. 

Business Victoria Courses and Webinars

Short courses, online events and resources from industry experts to help you upskill and run your business better. 

Small Business Peak

Small Business Peak simplifies workplace relation changes, making compliance a straightforward process for your small business. PEAK provides free and instant access to essential information with step-by-step guides.

Live in Melbourne

Live in Melbourne provides links to research, support and advice for starting a business in Victoria. 

Australian Business Licence and Information Service

The ABLIS helps you find the government licences, permits, approvals, registrations, codes of practice, standards, and guidelines you need to start, run and grow your business.

Australian Government business.vic.gov.au

Providing businesses with information, grants, services and support from across government to help your business succeed.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission

Register or renew your business name, register a company and learn more about sole trader vs company at the ASIC Website. ASIC is Australia's integrated corporate, markets, financial services and consumer credit regulator. 

Business Victoria

Business Victoria is a comprehensive online resource designed to help you start, run and grow your business.

Consumer Affairs

Helping create a competitive and fair marketplace for businesses and consumers.

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation 

The Liquor Portal is designed to help manage existing liquor licences, lodge a new application or transfer an existing licence.

Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission

The VGCCC is the independent regulator of Victoria's gambling industry.

Victorian Small Business Commission

VSBC offers low-cost dispute resolution services, including mediation, and champion the rights of small businesses.

Business Renewables Buying Group 

The Business Renewables Buying Group is designed to support like-minded, high energy users seeking to switch to 100% renewable electricity.

Sustainability Victoria

Supporting Victorians to transition to a circular, climate-resilient economy.

Austrade

From trade and investment processes to protocols and regulation - Austrade helps Australian businesses, big or small, navigate complex overseas markets and make it easier for them to go global.

Department of Home Affairs

Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, to keep Australia safe.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Working with other government agencies, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ensures that Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively.

Global Victoria 

Global Victoria provides high level market intelligence, insights and guidance to be competitive in international markets.

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Support for people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future.

FairWork Ombudsman

Giving you information and advice on your workplace and staff's rights and obligations.

Anyone who has run a small business knows that there are also a range of stressors or challenges too. That’s why it’s important to be proactive about looking after your mental health. Taking care of yourself can help you to face the inevitable stressors and keep well while running your business.

Beyond Blue has put together some strategies to help you look after your mental health as a small business owner.

The Victorian Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework has been created to reflect best practice and guide Victorian workplaces to be mentally healthy. 

Business Victoria Workplace Wellbeing offers mental health and business wellbeing support for sole traders, small businesses and employees.

Other resources include:

• Partners in Wellbeing Helpline 
• WorkSafe WorkWell Toolkit for Small Business
• Ahead for Business
• Small Business Debt Helpline 
    

MANAGING FINANCES

Australian Financial Complaints Authority

AFCA provides fair, free and independent dispute resolutions for financial complaints.

Australian Taxation Office

The ATO effectively manage and shape the tax and superannuation systems that support and fund services for Australians. On the website you will find webinars and resources to help manage your business.

National Debt Helpline

The National Debt Helpline helps people tackle their debt problems. Their professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent, and confidential service.

LEASING

Victorian Small Business Commission

The VSBC offers low-cost dispute resolution services, including mediation, and champion the rights of small businesses.

MEDIATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION 

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

The ASBFEO provides advice and research to improve policies, access to dispute resolution information, services and mental health support.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

VCAT resolves disputes and make decisions.

Victorian Small Business Commission

The VSBC offers low-cost dispute resolution services, including mediation, and champion the rights of small businesses.

Australian Financial Complaints Authority

The AFCA provides fair, free and independent dispute resolutions for financial complaints.

RESEARCH AND STATISTICS 

Australian Bureau of Statistics

The ABS is Australia’s national statistical agency and an official source of independent, reliable information.

REMPLAN

REMPLAN turns complex region specific economic and demographic data into clear insights that help you make decisions about the places you live, work and invest. 

Spendmapp Monthly Report

Spendmapp cleans and analyses bank transaction data by time, geography, expenditure, category and type allowing continuous monitoring and analysis of local economic activity.

REGULATIONS 

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

The ACCC is Australia's national competition, consumer, fair trading and product safety regulator. 

Consumer Affairs

Consumer Affairs can provide you with information about your rights and options. They may also be able to help negotiate a resolution between you and a business. 

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation

The Liquor Portal is designed to help manage existing liquor licences, lodge a new application or transfer an existing licence. 

Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission

The VGCCC is the independent regulator of Victoria's gambling industry with four main jobs including license and other approvals, inform and educate, monitor and analyse and enforce.

SUSTAINABILITY

Business Renewables Buying Group

The Business Renewables Buying Group is designed to support like-minded, high energy users seeking to switch to 100% renewable electricity.

Sustainability Victoria

Supporting Victorians to transition to a circular, climate-resilient economy. On the website you will find information about grants and funding, how to reduce equipment costs and recommendations for energy upgrades.