small business – City of Joondalup

Innovate Joondalup

Business and Engagement Program

Discover a wealth of opportunities for your business with Innovate Joondalup’s Business Programs and Support. The City of Joondalup’s Innovate Joondalup commitment to fostering growth extends beyond advice; we provide a robust framework to empower your business at every stage. Whether you’re navigating the intricacies of general business matters, exploring state and federal government initiatives, or seeking tailored programs to facilitate your growth, Innovate Joondalup is your partner in progress.

Expression of Interest submissions closed on Friday 26 January 2024.

Start your journey of innovation with us by completing the survey. The City’s Economic Development team is ready to guide you through the process, ensuring you’re connected with the right program that aligns with your unique needs and aspirations. From established businesses looking to thrive to aspiring entrepreneurs seeking mentorship, we have programs designed to cater to diverse needs.

Innovate Joondalup is more than just a support system; we are advocates for economic issues, identifying opportunities, and building a vibrant business community.

Whether you’re a startup enthusiast or an established business owner, our array of programs, including the Joondalup Innovation Challenge, Startup Weekend, Digital Solutions, Joondalup Plus Eight Sprint Program, Joondalup Thrive, and Uptown Women, offer tailored solutions for your journey.

Take the leap towards business excellence. Complete our survey to discover the program that suits your business, or contact us directly for a personalised consultation.

Innovate Joondalup is your catalyst for success, providing the tools, mentorship, and support needed to thrive in the dynamic business landscape.

Expression of Interest submissions open: Tuesday 12 December 2023.
Expression of Interest submissions close: Friday 26 January 2024.
The City’s Economic Development team will confirm with registrants by Friday 23 February via email.

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.

Use Search based on your business type for a tailored step-by-step guide to find the
specific licences and permits required to successfully operate your business.
If you have a quick search in mind, use Find a specific licence or code of practice.

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:

sign up to receive the SBDC’s email updates
follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
join thousands of other local small business owners in their Facebook Group “I’m a
small business owner in Western Australia”.

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:

View business support workshops on the City’s events calendar

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.

Organisation	Overview	Resources
City of Joondalup	Holds 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 Station	Business 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 Association	Local Business Association offering business networking, workshops and events.	Enewsletter Events
Immigrant Business Networking Association	Offers business networking and workshops for immigrants.	Enewsletter Events
District32	Business 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 Joondalup	The 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.

Organisation	Overview	Resources
Edith Cowan University School of Business and Law	Offers 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 Development	Offers 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 Institute	Runs Special Interest Group events relating to cyber security	News and events
North Metropolitan TAFE	Well positioned to develop tailored and innovative training to meet your business objectives.	News