The Albanese Government is pleased to announce the selection of providers for Round 2 of the Digital Solutions – Australian Small Business Advisory Services Program.
Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins, said small businesses right across the nation can access these services, regardless of where they’re located.
“Through this program, we want to give small businesses nationwide the skills and confidence they need to embrace digital opportunities.
“The Albanese Government is investing in small businesses to help them create jobs, harness opportunities and grow in the digital economy.
“Digitalisation is the key to unlocking productivity gains, creating efficiencies and better connecting small businesses with their customers.
“We know just how critical this is as more and more Australians connect with small businesses online.”
More than 45,000 small businesses participated under Round 1 of the program.
Minister Collins congratulated the three successful providers who will deliver advisory services to small businesses to help them get online and digitalise their operations.
“Realise Business, Business Foundations and Darebin Enterprise Centre will receive a total of $18.6 million to deliver Digital Solutions services for the next three years,” Minister Collins said.
Each Digital Solutions provider will lead the delivery of services in an exclusive area:
- Realise Business in New South Wales and the ACT;
- Business Foundations in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory; and
- Darebin Enterprise Centre in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Under Round 1, Christine Law connected with a local ACT digital business advisor whose expertise in the technical side of search engine optimisation, Facebook, and website maintenance has proved invaluable for her online homewares business, The Outdoor Table.
Christine’s eCommerce site has significantly increased ranking and visibility on Google alongside some of the biggest well‑known brands, bringing more website traffic and increased brand awareness.
Under Round 2, small businesses that register to participate in Digital Solutions can access up to four hours of one‑to‑one digitalisation advice from a qualified and experienced business advisor for a small fee.
They can also access, at no cost, workshops, presentations and self‑directed tutorials on a range of topics.
These include websites and selling online, social media and digital marketing, using small business software, and cyber security and data privacy.
