Small Business Development Corporation

Resources to help your small business

The Small Business Development Corporation

For nearly forty years, the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has helped
thousands of small business operators by providing relevant and practical support for every
stage of their business. The SBDC offers a wide range of State Government-funded resources,
tools and services to help small businesses in Western Australia start well, survive and thrive.

The City of Joondalup is proud to be a signatory to the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly program, an initiative that recognises and supports local governments that are
committed to actively supporting small businesses in their local area.

Starting a business

The SBDC’s starting a business guide provides you with all the tools you need to start and
run your business with confidence. It includes information about:

You can also access relevant information on the SBDC website about tax reporting
requirements, employer obligations and closing or selling your business.

Workshops

The SBDC offers practical business skills workshops covering a variety of key topics for new
and prospective small businesses, including the free “Starting a Business” workshop.

Available both online and in-person, these business skills workshops help you to develop and
improve your small business skills.

Advisory services

The SBDC offers free trusted advice on a range of small business matters including:

  • specialist advice in relation to commercial lease agreements
  • a dispute resolution service (DRS) to assist with resolving business to business and business to government disputes
  • general, free advice on challenges and opportunities arising in your businesses.

You can speak to an experienced business adviser for free by calling 133 140 or using the live
chat function on the SBDC website.

Business Licence Finder

You may need licences to start or run a business in Western Australia. These will depend on
your business type, your activities and your location. You can easily find a list of licences and
permits specifically required for your business by using the SBDC’s Business Licence Finder
tool.

Tools, templates and guides

There are a variety of tools, templates and guides to help you and your business stay on
track, including a:

Stay up to date with the latest news

In addition to the wide range of resources listed above, the SBDC posts regularly on their blog
with the latest information and guidance, as well as stories and case studies on small
businesses. You can:

Small Business Development Corporation

The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) assists the establishment, growth and development of small business in Western Australia. The SBDC provides a range of services covering:

  • Business skills workshops
  • Business license finder
  • Advisory Services
  • Commercial tenancy advisory service
  • A low-cost alternative dispute resolution service
  • Business migration

The SBDC has offices in Perth but also provides support in the Perth metropolitan area via a network of expert Business Local program providers.

Joondalup Business Association

The Joondalup Business Association (JBA) represents a number of local business industries. Association members are actively encouraged to promote and build their business through JBA networking events and workshops.

The Association also has a boardroom for hire, which is suitable for workshops and seminars.

ECU Business and Innovation Centre

The ECU Business & Innovation Centre is in the heart of Joondalup and offers subsidised office space and working hub memberships. Business Station manage the Centre and offer numerous business development workshops, business support and advisory services with funding from the State and Federal Government.

Local business advice and support

Business Station

Business Station manage the ECU Business and Innovation Centre (ECUBIC) in Joondalup.

If you are starting a new business, or run an existing small business, you may benefit from a number of free or low-cost programs, services and workshops delivered by Business Station to help your business grow. These include support services through the following State and Federal Government programs:

  • Business Local* – an outreach advisory service providing access to free advice and guidance for small businesses owners
  • Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) Digital Solutions – includes workshops and webinars for websites and selling online, social media and digital marketing, using small business software, and online security and data security

* Please note that Business Local utilises a number of service providers across the Perth Metropolitan region. For more information on Business Local support services please visit the Small Business Development Corporation website.

E-newsletters and workshops

To keep up to date with business support services delivered by the Business Station team:

Business advice consultations

You may also like to consider booking a one on one business advisory session with a Business Station advisor at ECUBIC in Joondalup or at one of their other locations. The following options are available:

  • General business advice for e.g. starting your business and general business development issues for SMEs (Free service)
  • Advice on digital business solutions such as websites and selling online, social media and digital marketing, using small business software, and online security and data security ($20 cost for initial appointments and $40 for subsequent)

For more information and to book please call 08 9301 8000 or email.

Other Business Workshops in the City of Joondalup

To find more business workshops and business events in Joondalup:

 

Local business training, workshops and events

Several organisations provide business training, workshops and events in and around the City of Joondalup. Free/low cost local business events and workshops are often shown under the Business Support category on the City’s website events calendar.

Subscribing to e-newsletters from the following organisations may help businesses keep up to date with the latest business events, networking and learning opportunities.

OrganisationOverviewResources
City of JoondalupHolds Business Forums and works with external organisations to deliver business events.Joondalup Business Online Enewsletter
Business Forums
Business Local -Workshops and Webinars
(Various Providers)
The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) has appointed several providers to deliver a variety of enterprise skill development workshops and webinars under their Business Local program. The SBDC website is regularly updated with Business Local workshops and webinars for the Perth metro area, including Joondalup.
Providers are also encouraged to submit details for the City's events calendar
Business StationBusiness Station are funded by State and Federal Government to provide a range of free and low-cost business training workshops and business advisory services. They also let/manage offices in the ECU Business and Innovation Centre (ECUBIC) which are aimed at new businesses.Enewsletter
Events
Joondalup Business AssociationLocal Business Association offering business networking, workshops and events.Enewsletter
Events
Immigrant Business Networking AssociationOffers business networking and workshops for immigrants.Enewsletter
Events
District32Business Cooperative offering networking, training and marketing services.Enewsletter
Events
Small Business Development Corporation
(State Government)
Offers a range of small business resources and services, including free and low cost business workshops in Perth CBD - some on weekends. Enewsletter
Events
Templates
Business Advice Topics
Dispute Resolution
business.gov.au
(Federal Government)
Offers a range of business resources, grants and assistance programs. Also run information sessions on topics such as the R&D Tax Incentive, Free Trade Agreements, Accelerating Commercialisation.Enewsletter
Events
Grants & assistance
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA Perth based. Offers a range of membership packages, business events and workshops.Business News
Events
Environmental Health Australia/City of JoondalupThe City offers the I'm Alert free online course to assist food business in the training of their staff.View Information

Business owners and staff may also like to explore professional learning opportunities at the Edith Cowan University and North Metropolitan TAFE campuses in Joondalup.

OrganisationOverviewResources
Edith Cowan University School of Business and LawOffers a range of professional development opportunities to help you succeed in business.
Runs an MBA Program with specialisation options in areas such as Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Environmental Management, Marketing, and Finance.
News
Events
Edith Cowan University Corporate and Professional DevelopmentOffers a unique range of short courses and customised programs in cyber security, the future of work, design thinking, tourism, healthcare, innovation and entrepreneurialism.More information
Edith Cowan University Security Research InstituteRuns Special Interest Group events relating to cyber securityNews and events
North Metropolitan TAFEWell positioned to develop tailored and innovative training to meet your business objectives.News