‍What Is the Digital Solutions Program?

The Digital Solutions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to help small businesses build digital capability. MIC is an approved delivery partner, providing funded access to workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and webinars for small business owners across VIC, SA, and TAS. Support covers practical digital skills including social media marketing, ecommerce, email marketing, AI tools, and content creation.

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Every KPI Exceeded: The Results at a Glance

The program's 2024–25 results demonstrate consistent overdelivery across all commitments made to the Australian Government:

• Businesses supported: 7,003 (target: 5,000), 40% above KPI
• Workshops delivered: 171 (target: 150)
• Mentoring hours provided: 15,804 (target: 15,000)
• Webinars delivered: 151 (target: 150)

Every metric exceeded its target. These outcomes reflect MIC's sustained commitment to quality program delivery and genuine small business impact.

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Digital Skills Events That Delivered Real-World Outcomes

MIC's 2024–25 event calendar was designed to meet small business owners at every stage of their digital journey, from foundational skills to emerging technology.

• Digital Day Out: MIC's flagship annual conference, bringing together founders, mentors, and industry experts to explore growth through digital tools.
• HerTikTok Masterclass: Equipping women in business to build audiences and generate revenue on one of the fastest-growing social platforms.
• AI Masterclasses: Practical sessions demystifying tools such as ChatGPT, helping business owners apply artificial intelligence across marketing, operations, and customer service.
• Content Club Series: Hands-on workshops for consistent, confident content creation.
• Webinar Masterclasses: Covering email marketing, ecommerce, and social media: the three priority areas participants consistently rank as most important to their business growth.

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Supporting Inclusion: CALD and Diverse Business Communities

A core strength of MIC's Digital Solutions delivery has been its commitment to reaching business owners who are often underserved by mainstream support programs. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) workshops provided practical, safe learning environments for migrant entrepreneurs, delivered across multiple languages including Spanish and Vietnamese. This inclusive approach ensures that digital capability-building is accessible to all small business owners, regardless of background or language.

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What the Data Tells Us About Small Business Digital Needs

Participant data from the program provides valuable insight into the current digital landscape for Australian small businesses:

• 49.5% of registrations came via social media — the leading discovery channel
• 51.4% of participating businesses had been operating for two or more years, confirming that digital uplift is not only a start-up need
• Top desired outcomes: increasing online visibility (30.9%) and improving business efficiency (23.9%)
• Top barriers: lack of digital expertise (25.2%) and limited budget (24.3%)

These findings reinforce why government-funded digital support programs like Digital Solutions are essential. MIC's curriculum is built to directly address these gaps.

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Small Business Owner Testimonials

Program participants across VIC, SA, and TAS reported significant, tangible outcomes:

"Without participating in the first round of mentoring, I would not be where I am today — with a +$165,000 increase in revenue." — Kobie Nottings, program participant

"Incredible value for money." — Susie Campbell, program participant

"Incredibly valuable and satisfying." — Paola Montenegro, participant (migrant entrepreneur and international student)

"Clear guiding principles and the tools needed to systematically create and implement an adaptable action plan." — Danikka Taylor, program participant

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Looking Ahead: MIC's Commitment to Small Business Growth

Melbourne Innovation Centre thanks the Australian Government for its continued partnership and confidence in MIC as a Digital Solutions delivery partner. Each workshop, mentoring session, and webinar represents a small business owner who is better positioned to grow, employ Australians, and contribute to the national economy.

MIC is committed to building on this momentum and continuing to deliver measurable outcomes for small businesses across Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania in the year ahead.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Digital Solutions program?
‍Small businesses operating in Victoria, South Australia, or Tasmania may be eligible for free or subsidised digital support through MIC's Digital Solutions program delivery.

What topics does the Digital Solutions program cover?
‍Program topics include social media marketing, ecommerce, email marketing, content creation, AI tools for business, and general digital strategy.

Is the Digital Solutions program free?
‍Digital Solutions is an Australian Government-funded program. Many services, including workshops, mentoring, and webinars delivered by MIC, are available at low or no cost to eligible small businesses.

How do I register for a Digital Solutions workshop or mentoring session?
‍Visit Melbourne Innovation Centre's website or follow MIC on social media to be notified of upcoming events and registration dates.

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Want to strengthen your digital presence and grow your business? Explore MIC's upcoming Digital Solutions workshops, mentoring sessions, and webinars.

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