Find support in the right place
Throughout your business lifecycle you may need to work with each level of government.
Australia has three levels of government that deliver support, policy, and services for businesses.
This page explores these levels and the work they undertake.
Australian Government
The Australian Government is positioned to reach businesses at a macro level and deliver funding and information Australia wide.
The Australian Government works to support small businesses in the spaces of:
- Taxes and transfers
- Rebates and incentives
- Policy development and implementation
- Funding for initiatives
- Training and resource provision
- Legislation
- Regulation
- Codes
- National research and data collection
Northern Territory Government
The Northern Territory Government delivers funding and initiatives that are Territory based, local laws, local regulation and providing Territory-based knowledge to inform national strategies.
- Policy development and implementation
- Taxes
- Licencing and regulation
- Training and resource provision
- Microeconomic reform
- Funding and programs
- State-based data collection
- Promotion and attraction
Local Government
Local government, often referred to as council, plays an active role in supporting local businesses and community through direct, targeted and face to face engagement to assist businesses in their day-to-day operations.
- By-laws
- Permits
- Planning and Development
- Waste services and rates
- Tendering opportunities
- Local events
- Local data collection
Check your local government website for more information:
Intermediaries and providers
Intermediaries include organisations such as the Small Business Commissioners, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, accountants and advisors, industry associations and business councils.
They often work closely with individual small businesses to provide support, while co-designing supports and delivering programs that are funded by Government.
