With MTC Australia’s Self-Employment Assistance, you can turn your idea into a thriving business. You can learn new skills and get support to set your new business on the path to success. Through the government-funded Self-Employment Assistance program, we offer flexible business training and coaching at no cost to you. If you’re ready to take the next steps to self-employment, we’re here to help!
Why is Self-Employment Assistance important?
Starting a new business can be rewarding. Let us help with the challenges you may face. Our business experts have been helping people for 10 years with training and advice for small business success across a range of industries.
Am I eligible for Self-Employment Assistance?
To be eligible for Self-Employment Assistance, you must:
Be aged 15 years or older (to access Small Business Coaching you must be at least 18 years of age or older)
Be legally allowed to work in Australia (no working holiday or student visa holders)
Eligible participants must not have:
Received assistance from the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme or Self-Employment Assistance within the past 12 months
Filed for bankruptcy and still be classified as bankrupt
Special Eligibility Cohort
People who are employed for more than 25 hours per week may still be eligible for Self-Employment Assistance if they belong to a Special Eligibility Cohort. The Special Eligibility Cohorts are retrenched workers, veterans, and family members of serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.
Serving ADF veterans with a confirmed future transition date are eligible to access Self-Employment Assistance regardless of how many hours per week they are employed. A veteran’s ‘transition date’ is the date they will exit the ADF. Once a veteran exits the ADF, they may be eligible to access any Self-Employment Assistance Service.
The partners and adult children of serving members of the ADF (with or without a transition date) are Eligible to access Self-Employment Assistance regardless of how many hours per week they are employed.
Business Eligibility Criteria
Your new business must be:
An independent business
Lawful and able to withstand public scrutiny
Located and operated solely within Australia
Structured so you have a controlling interest during the program
*Additional criteria apply for some services
This training is funded by the Commonwealth Government.
If you’d like to know more about Self-Employment Assistance or see if it’s right for you, you can contact our Customer Care team on 1300 232 663.
How Self-Employment Assistance works
Self‑Employment Assistance provides a range of services for current and aspiring business owners, ranging from flexible individual Business Advice Sessions to a structured 12-month package of Small Business Coaching.
Exploring Self-Employment Workshops
If you’re a budding business owner, this is where to start. We run a five-day online workshop to help you get clear on your business idea, understand what’s involved in starting a small business, and make an informed decision about whether self-employment is right for you.
Small Business Training
Build new business and marketing skills and fine-tune your business plan with the 13-week BSB30220 Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business which can be taken flexibly, online or face to face. Alternatively, take one of the shorter courses which incorporate some units from the BSB30220 Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business:
- BSBSS00102 – Micro Business Skill Set (6 weeks)
- BSBSS00103 – New Business Ventures Skill Set (8 weeks)
Business Plan Development
Create a business plan that includes actions, marketing, and financials, so you’re ready to start your business the right way.
Small Business Coaching
One-on-one sessions with a Business Coach with strategies to keep your new business on track for success.
Alternatively, if you’re unable to make the time commitment for the ongoing Business Coaching Sessions or Small Business Training, you can opt for Business Advice Sessions (1 x two-hour session or 2 x one-hour sessions) to discuss specific advice about an element of your business idea.
Government Financial Assistance
You may be eligible for the Self-Employment Assistance Allowance for up to 39 weeks, as well as up to 26 weeks of Rental Assistance. You may also be eligible for up to $300 in business costs when you commence in Small Business Coaching to help you on your journey.
RTO Code 90171